Easter Day

What is the most important day to the Catholics?

If you were thinking Christmas, then think again! It is Easter!!

Easter is the greatest and most important celebration for the Catholics because it is the third day of the death of Jesus Christ and the day he resurrected from the dead. The Catholics believe that after Jesus Christ death on the Cross, he was wrapped up in linen cloth and put in a tomb with a big boulder covering the entrance to the tomb. On the third day, the women that went to visit the tomb found the boulder moved and the tomb empty and they ran to tell His disciples. When the disciples arrived, there was an angel saying that Jesus Christ has risen. Thus, Easter became the most important day for the Catholics because it was a great day to celebrate.

The Pope saying mass on Easter Day

Look at the crowd!! (Vatican City)

Children get to have fun too! (China)

Eggs in a basket? Are they real eggs? (South Korea)

The Pope saying a mass on Easter Vigil (The day before Easter, midnight mass)

During the week Easter it is called the Holy Week and during this week people who do not fast for 40 days before Easter would try to fast and abstain the whole week because it is a very holy week. In some of the pictures you can see eggs. The eggs are not real eggs but chocolate in a shape of an egg and it is wrapped up in wrappings. In Germany, people would hide a basket of Easter eggs and chocolates and presents for the kids to find. It is quite fun! and the grownups would be given presents. In almost all families, during Easter day, they would have a family reunion and eat lunch or dinner together.

During the Easter Vigil, candles would be lit for awhile to show respect because the moment Jesus Christ died the sky became dark for a moment and so this is a sign of respect for Jesus Christ death on the Cross. However, in Malaysia (I am not sure about other countries) the candles would not be on for the whole mass.