The Octave of Easter is almost coming to an end. What is the Octave of Easter you may ask? Well, in truth, I really didn’t know about the Octave of Easter until my mid 30’s when as a teacher I began to attend more daily Masses. And often, because I taught mainly in Catholic Schools, I would attend weekday Masses after Easter because of vacation time, I noticed a difference. So what is the Octave of Easter. First and foremost it is the “eight days” of Easter beginning with Easter Sunday and ending on the Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday) During these eight days, “The Liturgy of Easter Week indicates that every day within the Octave is treated the same as the original solemnity of Easter.” (from “CatholicCulture.org)
Now this is news!
I will share with you a slightly longer quote about the Octave:“Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! The comprehension and joy of this amazing gift of Christ conquering sin and death by His death and resurrection cannot be confined to just one day. The Church as a mother understands the needs of man. Within the liturgical calendar there is a built-in pattern that corresponds to human rhythms: times of preparation and penance building up to major feasts with celebrations that are prolonged, and multi-level feast days spread throughout the year. The Easter Octave gives us time to impress upon our souls the mysteries, joys and graces of the greatest feast of the Church. Each day of the Octave the liturgy dwells on the mysteries of the resurrection of Christ and our own resurrection through the sacrament of Baptism.” (from “CatholicCulture.org)
So not only does the Church give you 40 days to prepare for Easter but she gives you 8 days to let the mystery fully sink into our hearts and minds. I bring this up because, like many people, we can hit the event, Easter in this case, and then quickly move on to what’s next. Not taking the time to let the joy, the blessing, the mystery and the grace fully take hold in our hearts. And it is very important that we allow the mysteries of life to rest peacefully in our hearts.
When I was ordained a priest on June 4, 2005 my pastoral assignment at St. Martin of Tours parish didn’t begin until July 1st. During the 26 days between those two wonderful days, I celebrate Masses of Thanksgiving at St. Maria Goretti on June 5, at St. Catherine of Alexandria on June 12 and finally at St. Anthony Parish in Greencreek Idaho on June 19. These great celebrations, along with daily Mass allowed me to peacefully begin to feel at home with the mystery of God calling me to the priesthood. It was a time allowing me to anticipate with great joy my first days, months and years of serving God’s holy people.
We can often forget the great gift that is given to us daily and the Octave of Easter is meant to help us remember how we are called to share the good news. I know that it is hard for many people to attend daily Mass and certainly the Octave for this year has almost passed us by….but….there still is the last day of the Octave of Easter which is the Second Sunday of Easter. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have the Church jammed packed with people again. Really, wouldn’t that be wonderful.
Here is were we rest in the mystery and do the good work of calling family, friends and neighbors to come and celebrate with us each week. Our baptismal call is to be prophetic witnesses to God’s call of forgiveness and mercy. See you in the Eucharist.

God Bless
Fr. Mark