Amid the many hardships we are enduring, let us never forget that we have been healed by the wounds of Christ. In the light of the Risen Lord, our sufferings are now transfigured. Where there was death, now there is life. Where there was mourning, now there is consolation.
Pope Francis
Easter Sunday and the following seven days present a special time to bask in the glory of the resurrection. Eastertide is the period of 50 days, spanning from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday. It is celebrated as a single joyful feast, called the “great Lord’s Day”. Each Sunday of the season is treated as a Sunday of Easter.
Easter Sunday and Pentecost correspond to pre-existing Jewish feasts: The first day of Pesach (פסח) and the holiday of Shavu’ot (שבועות). In the Jewish tradition, the 49 days between these holidays are known as Counting of the Omer (ספירת העומר).
The Octave of Easter is one of the lesser known liturgical celebrations in the Catholic Church. It includes Easter Sunday and the seven days that follow, culminating in the celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday (also known as the Second Sunday of Easter).
The first eight days constitute the Octave of Easter and are celebrated as solemnities of the Lord. It is a way of prolonging the joy of the initial day. In a sense, every day of the Octave is like a little Sunday.
In that vein, we will be Shining A Light on Goodness and sharing inspiration from others over the next eight days, continuing our Easter celebration.
Let us Be His Light,
Cynthia
Smitten With Goodness 