This year, we wrapped up Lent by celebrating Easter Sunday on April 5th. But, did you know that Easter lasts longer than just a day? Many people move on after the fun filled day, but the Easter season (50 days) is actually the second largest in the Liturgical calendar, after ordinary time.

Also known as Eastertide, the Easter season focuses on “culminating with the feast of Pentecost,” (Hallow). The word Easter comes from an old word meaning “East,” symbolizing the light and warmth the sun brings from the East every morning. The date of Easter is always different, because it is actually determined by the moon. Depending on when the first Sunday is after the first full moon of spring, Easter can range anywhere between March 22 and April 25. It can be difficult to recognize the Easter season because it changes every year, but it will always be celebrated for 50 days beginning on Easter Sunday.

“The Church celebrates 7 Sundays of Easter because the magnitude of Easter cannot be held by one Sunday,” says religion teacher, Mr. Frice. When it comes to maintaining the feeling of celebration and preparation of Easter despite the day and Lent being over, Mr Frice says that this is “certainly somewhat of a challenge.” In the church, the celebration is preserved in a number of ways. First, they celebrate the “Octave of Easter,” from Easter Sunday to the following Sunday. These days are marked with a solemnity, which Mr. Frice says is the “highest designation that the Church has for a liturgical celebration.” The church also sings a double Alleluia, accompanying the dismissal. For Mr. Frice, he celebrates the season by “spending that time with my parish community and my family. I also read published reflections for the season.”

Easter Day and Easter Season have very few differences, other than the length. Easter season is a continuation of reflection on the resurrection, as we prepared for during the 40 days of Lent. Both the season and the day are characterized “by the joy of glorified life and the victory over death expressed most fully in the great resounding cry of the Christian: Alleluia!” (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.)

Overall, the season is a time for us to celebrate the warmth that Jesus gives to us from His resurrection. Eastertide officially ends on May 24th, so be sure to keep telling friends and family “Happy Easter!”