Dear Friends in Christ, The Fourth Sunday of Easter is also known as Good Shepherd Sunday because of the Scripture readings and Mass prayers appointed for this day in the sacred liturgy. Today’s Communion Antiphon, for example, proclaims that “The Good Shepherd has risen, who laid down his life for his sheep and willingly died…

Dear Friends in Christ, During Eastertide the Church directs our attention to the central place of Holy Baptism in Christian faith and life, and each year on Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord, all the baptized are asked to renew the promises of their Baptism. So this is the perfect time for us…

Dear Friends in Christ, Christos Anesti! (Christ is Risen) Alithos Anesti! (Truly He is Risen) In the Christian East these Greek acclamations replace the usual greetings of hello and goodbye during the fifty days between Easter and Pentecost, the liturgical season of Eastertide, the first eight days of which have a special identity. Today is…

Dear Friends in Christ, Last night, at the beginning of the Easter Vigil, priests all over the world prepared the Paschal Candle which will burn before every altar of the Church throughout Eastertide and at every font during each Baptism in the coming year. In preparation for the lighting of the Paschal Candle, a symbol…