Easter Day

This year the entire Catholic world will celebrate Easter on the 21st of April. Easter is traditionally celebrated on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox. It does not have a fixed date in the calendar and falls on a different day each year.

The first mention of the celebration of Easter dates back to the 2^nd century AD.

Easter has a number of traditions which vary from country to country: the witch’s “life or purse” in Sweden, the burning of a Judas Iscariot effigy in Venezuela, and chocolate egg hunts in Western Europe and the United States. The Catholics in the Bermudas launch vibrant kites into the air, symbolising the ascension of Jesus on Good Friday – the eve of Easter.

Easter is one of the most important religious holidays for Christians, who celebrate the resurrection of Jesus after his crucifixion. Recently Easter has become quite commercialised, particularly in Catholic countries. They have shops full of chocolate rabbits and colourful eggs. The Easter Bunny who shows up in the middle of the night is, of course, a must. He leaves baskets full of sweets to delight children on Easter morning.

This year because of the Covid-19 pandemic the Holy Week cervices will be celebrated in the churches without gathering the people. The churches and chapels will remain open, apart from the celebrations.

The Archbishop will celebrate Holy Week and the Pascal Triduum at the cathedral. The celebrations will be broadcast live on social networks and the diocese website.

Palm Sunday: mass at 11 a.m.
Maundy Thursday: Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 5.30 p.m.
Good Friday: celebration of the Lord’s Passion at 3 p.m.
Holy Saturday: Easter vigil at 9 p.m.
Easter Sunday: mass at 11 a.m.

Daily morning liturgical prayer will be broadcast live at 9 a.m.

Webcast on the Monaco Info TV channel: Palm Sunday at 11 a.m. – Holy Thursday and Friday at 9:30 p.m. – Easter Day at 11 a.m.

Christians will have to unite at heart in prayer in their own homes, by following the retransmissions of cervices or by promoting family and personal prayer through the Liturgy of the Hours (texts available on www.aelf.org)