Easter is the Christian feast which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus.

Eastertide (or the Season of Easter) is the 50 days following Easter and concludes with the Feast of Pentecost.

The Council of Nicaea (325ad) determined Easter Day as the first Sunday after the full moon after the spring equinox (19/20/21 March). This is the reason the date of Easter changes from year to year. The earliest it can be is 22nd March and the latest the 25th April.

Easter is known as the Pasch in the Latin and Greek Christian traditions - a name which derives from the Hebrew Day of Passover.

The origin of the English word 'Easter' is uncertain but it may come from the name of a pagan goddess of the dawn, Eostre. As Christianity spread, it often took over pagan celebrations and replaced them with Christian feast days.

Mark 16:1-7 (NRSV)

When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, ‘Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?’ When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.’

See also: Mark 16:9-18, Matthew 28:1-8, Luke 24:1-12 and John 20:1-18

Easter Gospel (Matthew) [2020]
Easter Gospel (Mark) [2021]
Easter Gospel (Mark) arranged for four voices [2021]
Easter Gospel (Luke) arranged for four voices [2019]

The symbols inscribed on the Paschal Candle are the cross of the crucifixion with five incense grains representing the five wounds of Jesus; the Greek letters Alpha and Omega announce that Christ is the beginning and end of all things; the date of Easter is also inscribed (2018).

The prayer from the liturgy of the Easter Vigil is as follows:

Christ yesterday and today (the vertical line of the cross is cut into the candle)
The beginning and the end (the horizontal line of the cross)
The Alpha (the letter Alpha)
And the Omega (the letter Omega)
All time belongs to him (the first numeral of the current year, top left)
and all the ages (the second numeral, top right)
To him be glory and power (the third numeral, bottom left)
Through every age and forever. Amen. (the fourth numeral, bottom right)

Then the five grains of incense (usually in brass containers with spikes to press into the candle) are put in place:

By his holy (first incense grain is inserted at the top of the cross)
and glorious wounds, (the second in the middle of the cross)
may Christ the Lord (the third at the bottom)
guard us (the fourth, at the left)
and protect us. Amen. (the fifth at the right)

Liturgy of Light

Easter Candle Prayer

This prayer might be used to light the Easter Candle at the beginning of assemblies during Eastertide.

God our Father,
as we light this Easter candle,
we give thanks for your Son, Jesus,
whom you raised from the dead.
May his light shine in our minds and hearts.
And may we share in his life.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Easter Candle with Flowers
Philip Barrington (2015)
link

Easter is the most important feast in the Church's year and it is important for schools to celebrate Easter at the beginning of the summer term.

Elements from the Easter Vigil can be used effectively in a school Easter Mass.

You might be able to begin outdoors around a fire and light the Paschal Candle. Or you could use the Liturgy of Light to bless and inscribe the Paschal Candle.
Liturgy of Light

Prayers and readings for an Easter Mass (including alternative prayers for use with children):
Easter Mass Prayers

The Easter gospel could be done as a drama (either just with voices or with simple actions):
Easter Gospel (Matthew) [2020]
Easter Gospel (Mark) [2021]
Easter Gospel (Mark) arranged for four voices [2021]
Easter Gospel (Luke) arranged for four voices [2019]

Or you could use the Medieval English drama of the three Marys at the tomb:
The Three Marys drama (see below)

Easter Story
by Geoffrey McLean
Animated Easter story (4m 13s)

The Easter Story told through Social Media
by Brian Dryfhout
Easter story told through Social Media (3m 37s)

Easter Story for Young Children
The story of Holy Week and Easter told by two young children with animated drawings. For primary age pupils.
A Cute Story About Easter (3m 01s)

Why I Say Happy Easter
Igniter Media
Powerful testimony animation with good theology. For secondary age pupils.
Why I Say Happy Easter (2m 34s)

Easter Verses of the Three Marys
A short drama adapted from the medieval Easter Verses of the Three Marys. This play tells the story of the three Mary's buying oil and setting out to anoint the body of Jesus. They meet the angel at the entrance to the tomb and he tells them, 'He is risen!'
Suitable for primary and secondary school actors and audiences. Running time approximately 4 minutes.

Drama script and notes (pdf)

An Easter Prayer
by Michaela Youngson

When everything was dark
and it seemed that the sun would never shine again,
your love broke through.

Your love was too strong,
too wide,
too deep
for death to hold.

The sparks cast by your love
dance and spread
and burst forth
with resurrection light.

Gracious God:
We praise you for the light of new life
made possible through Jesus.
We praise you for the light of new life
that shone on the first witnesses of resurrection.
We praise you for the light of new life
that continues to shine in our hearts today.

We pray that the Easter light of life, hope and joy,
will live in us each day;
and that we will be bearers of that light
into the lives of others.
Amen.

Easter Faith
Source unknown

When our faith
stands at the grave,
grieving
for a stone that's rolled away,
forgive us.

When our faith
is short of
understanding
though the truth is there to see,
forgive us.

When our faith,
beset by doubt, sees
no further
than an empty tomb today,
forgive us.

Bring to mind
the cry of Mary,
‘I have seen the Lord!'
and grant us faith to believe!

Blest Are You Who Rose!
Source unknown

Blest are you, Lord Jesus who came to us a little child
one of us, flesh and blood to share in our humanity.
For God so loved the world
That all might have eternal life.

Blest are you, Lord Jesus who came to us as carpenter
and yet in whose creative hands a world was fashioned.
For God so loved the world
That all might have eternal life.

Blest are you, Lord Jesus who came to us as fisherman
and yet pointed to a harvest that was yet to come.
For God so loved the world
That all might have eternal life.

Blest are you, Lord Jesus who came to us as teacher
and opened eyes to truths that only
the poor could understand
For God so loved the world
That all might have eternal life.

Blest are you, Lord Jesus who came to us as healer
and opened hearts to the reality of wholeness
For God so loved the world
That all might have eternal life.

Blest are you, Lord Jesus who came to us as prophet,
priest and king
and yet humbled himself
to take our place upon the cross.
For God so loved the world
That all might have eternal life.

Blest are you, Lord Jesus who came to us as servant
and revealed to us the extent of his Father's love
for human kind.
For God so loved the world
That all might have eternal life.

Blest are you, Lord Jesus, who rose
from the ignominy of a sinner's death
to the triumph of a Saviour's resurrection.
For God so loved the world
That all might have eternal life.

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son
for the sake of me
and you
and other sinners too.
God so loved the world
Blest are you Lord Jesus, our Saviour and Redeemer.
Amen.

Art can be a good way to engage with the resurrection appearances of Jesus. A google search will show thousands of images which could be used. The images below have been chosen because they are unusual.

A way of using these resources might be:

• Read the scripture passage - most lend themselves to be read with several voices.
• Then show the image and give children a while to look in silence.
• Ask what they notice.
• Use some of the talking points as questions; ask the children for responses.
• At the end, take a couple of the key sentences from the scripture passage and read them again.

Art and Scripture could be used at assemblies, or as the gospel/homily at Mass, or in RE lessons.

He is not here. He has risen.
Luke 24:1-10 (JB)

On the first day of the week, at the first sign of dawn, they went to the tomb with the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb, but on entering discovered that the body of the Lord Jesus was not there. As they stood there not knowing what to think, two men in brilliant clothes suddenly appeared at their side. Terrified, the women lowered their eyes. But the two men said to them, 'Why look among the dead for someone who is alive? He is not here; he has risen. Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee: that the Son of Man had to be handed over into the power of sinful men and be crucified, and rise again on the third day?' And they remembered his words. When the women returned from the tomb they told all this to the Eleven and to all the others. The women were Mary of Magdala, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James.

Three Days Afterwards
Acts 10:37-43 (JB)

You must have heard about the recent happenings in Judaea; about Jesus of Nazareth and how he began in Galilee, after John had been preaching baptism. God had anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and because God was with him, Jesus went about doing good and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil. Now I, and those with me, can witness to everything he did throughout the countryside of Judaea and in Jerusalem itself: and also to the fact that they killed him by hanging him on a tree, yet three days afterwards God raised him to life and allowed him to be seen, not by the whole people but only by certain witnesses God had chosen beforehand. Now we are those witnesses - we have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection from the dead - and he has ordered us to proclaim this to his people and to tell them that God has appointed him to judge everyone, alive or dead. It is to him that all the prophets bear this witness: that all who believe in Jesus will have their sins forgiven through his name.

Image

Christi Auferstehung [Christ's Resurrection] (1924) by Albin Egger-Lienz (1868-1926), an Austrian painter.

Talking Points

Notice how strong the image of the risen Christ is - he is no ghost or spirit, but a strong, young man, who dominates the painting, and who places his foot firmly on the coffin, triumphing over death.

Look at the witnesses. Who are they? What have they seen? What do they believe?

Why is there a small child in the painting?

Breakfast on the Shore of Lake Tiberias
John 21:1-14 (JB)

Later on, Jesus showed himself again to the disciples. It was by the Sea of Tiberias, and it happened like this: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee and two more of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said, 'I'm going fishing'. They replied, 'We'll come with you'. They went out and got into the boat but caught nothing that night. It was light by now and there stood Jesus on the shore, though the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus. Jesus called out, 'Have you caught anything, friends?' And when they answered, 'No', he said, 'Throw the net out to starboard and you'll find something'. So they dropped the net, and there were so many fish that they could not haul it in. The disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, 'It is the Lord'. At these words 'It is the Lord', Simon Peter, who had practically nothing on, wrapped his cloak round him and jumped into the water. The other disciples came on in the boat, towing the net and the fish; they were only about a hundred yards from land. As soon as they came ashore they saw that there was some bread there, and a charcoal fire with fish cooking on it. Jesus said, 'Bring some of the fish you have just caught'. Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore, full of big fish, one hundred and fifty-three of them; and in spite of there being so many the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, 'Come and have breakfast'. None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, 'Who are you?'; they knew quite well it was the Lord. Jesus then stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish. This was the third time that Jesus showed himself to the disciples after rising from the dead.

Image

Source unknown

Talking Points

Notice how closely the disciples are gathered around Jesus - I wonder why?

Notice the boat and the fish - as soon as Jesus died they went back to their original occupations. Did they think Jesus' mission was over?

Why do you think Peter recognized Jesus - Had he done this before? (cf. Luke 5:4-11)

Why do you think Jesus broke and shared the bread with them?

Primary school activities

The Road to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35 (JB)

That very same day, two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking together about all that had happened. Now as they talked this over, Jesus himself came up and walked by their side; but something prevented them from recognising him. He said to them, 'What matters are you discussing as you walk along?' They stopped short, their faces downcast. Then one of them, called Cleopas, answered him, 'You must be the only is person staying in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have been happening there these last few days'. 'What things?' he asked. 'All about Jesus of Nazareth' they answered 'who proved he was a great prophet by the things he said and did in the sight of God and of the whole people; and how our chief priests and our leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and had him crucified. Our own hope had been that he would be the one to set Israel free. And this is not all: two whole days have gone by since it all happened; and some women from our group have astounded us: they went to the tomb in the early morning, and when they did not find the body, they came back to tell us they had seen a vision of angels who declared he was alive. Some of our friends went to the tomb and found everything exactly as the women had reported, but of him they saw nothing.' Then he said to them, 'You foolish men! So slow to believe the full message of the prophets! Was it not ordained that the Christ should suffer and so enter into his glory?' Then, starting with Moses and going through all the prophets, he explained to them the passages throughout the scriptures that were about himself. When they drew near to the village to which they were going, he made as if to go on; but they pressed him to stay with them. 'It is nearly evening' they said 'and the day is almost over.' So he went in to stay with them. Now while he was with them at table, he took the bread and said the blessing; then he broke it and handed it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognised him; but he had vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, 'Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?' They set out that instant and returned to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven assembled together with their companions, who said to them, 'Yes, it is true. The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.' Then they told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognised him at the breaking of bread.

Image

Source unknown

Talking Points

Notice how busy the background of this picture is - just like all the conflicting thoughts going through the minds of the two disciples.

Notice the tree to the left - perhaps the tree of the crucifixion?

Notice the way the path widens at the right - Jesus and the disciples were going different ways but they persuaded him to stay.

Notice the use of gold across the chests of the disciples - did not their hearts burn within them as they listened?

More Images

Road to Emmaus by Adam Howie

Their eyes were opened by Owen James Dobson

Supper at Emmaus (1958) by Ceri Richards

Road to Emmaus by Ivanka Demchuk

Doubting Thomas
John 20:19-21, 24-31 (JB)

In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, 'Peace be with you', and showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, and he said to them again, 'Peace be with you. 'As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.' Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. When the disciples said, 'We have seen the Lord', he answered, 'Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe'. Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. 'Peace be with you' he said. Then he spoke to Thomas, 'Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.' Thomas replied, 'My Lord and my God!' Jesus said to him: 'You believe because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.' There were many other signs that Jesus worked and the disciples saw, but they are not recorded in this book. These are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing this you may have life through his name.

Image

Doubting Thomas by Ivan Valtchev (b.1944)

Talking Points

Look at the expression and the intensity on Thomas' face - what is he thinking?

Who are the other people in the painting? Who is the woman? Who is the mysterious shadow figure in the background?

Look at Jesus' hands. What do those gestures mean?

More Images

Doubting Thomas clipart 1

Doubting Thomas clipart 2

Site of the Holy Sepulchre
A fascinating website with materials, images, 3D-animations, maps and diagrams of the sites in Jerusalem of Jesus' crucifixion, burial and resurrection.
Jonathan Lipnick website