✝️Pope Saint John Paul ll Catholic Orphanage/Sch✝️

Here is the meaning of each symbol of the Paschal Candle: 🕯️ Since the early centuries of Christianity, the Paschal Candle has been one of the most expressive symbols of the Easter Vigil and the entire Easter Season. On the night of Holy Saturday, the priests celebrating the Vigil Mass light it as a symbol of the Risen Christ. Light: Represents the risen Christ, who is the "true light that enlightens everyone who comes into the world" and who dispels the darkness caused by sin and its consequences. Flame or Fire: The gesture of the priest sharing the flame of the Paschal Candle with the faithful at the Easter Vigil symbolizes the faith that we all receive and share. Cross: Always the central symbol. It represents the path we must take to reach the Father, as Christ taught us. Grains: There are five grains of incense, usually red in color, embedded in the candle representing the five wounds of Jesus: the three nails that pierced his hands and feet, the spear thrust into his right side, and the thorns on his head. Alpha and Omega: The letters A (alpha) and Ω (omega), the first and last of the Greek alphabet, indicate that Christ's Passover, the beginning and end of time and eternity, is an occasion to receive that ever-new strength that comes from God, in the specific year we are living. Year: The current year symbolizes God in the present, as the Master and Lord of all eternity. Lamb: Christ is represented by the figure of a lamb, a symbol of meekness. God rules the universe, but does so with mercy. That is why His justice is truly capable of saving. His power lies in love.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ~1 Peter 1:3

Today’s First Reading is from Acts 2:14,22-33. The Power of the Resurrection: Peter asserts that God raised Jesus, breaking the chains of death, and that this resurrection was prefigured in David’s prophecies (Psalm 16). Thank you Jesus. Amen.🙏🏻

St. John Baptist de la Salle (1651-1719) was born in Rheims, France, to a noble family. He was pious and smart, and his parents took great care over his moral and intellectual training. He entered seminary and was ordained at the age of twenty-seven. In St. John Baptist's era, only the noble and wealthy classes had access to a good education. His work among the poor led him to establish a home and school for rough and illiterate orphaned boys. The institution was successful and soon a second was established. St. John Baptist then dedicated his life to the cause of education, giving his wealth to the poor and resigning his respectable position as canon at Rheims. He recruited and trained men to teach in free schools he founded for the poor, which grew into a brotherhood of young men who were attracted to a life of service in teaching and catechesis. This became the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, or Christian Brothers. They took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, but not Holy Orders. The Christian Brothers expanded, and in many parts of France parish priests sent young men to be trained by St. John Baptist to serve as schoolmasters in their villages. Although he was initially opposed in his innovative work, both inside and outside the Church, St. John Baptist's foundations and methods soon became the standard for education in France and spread internationally. St. John Baptist de la Salle is the patron of schoolteachers. His feast day is April 7th.

Today is Easter Tuesday, the second day within the eight-day celebration of Easter, known as the Octave of Easter. This period, from Easter Sunday to Divine Mercy Sunday, emphasizes the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Each day of the octave is treated as a solemnity, with the same liturgical weight as Easter Sunday itself. On this day, the Gospel reading comes from St. John 20:11-18, where Mary Magdalene encounters the Risen Lord Jesus outside the tomb. Jesus instructs her to announce His resurrection to the disciples, earning her the title "Apostle to the Apostles." The liturgical focus is on the joy of the Resurrection and the transformative encounter with Christ. Masses on this day include the Easter preface and special prayers highlighting the Resurrection. The Regina Caeli is recited or sung in place of the Angelus, and the Sequence (Victimae Paschali Laudes) may be included. No other feasts are celebrated during the octave, as the Resurrection takes precedence.

On Easter Monday in 2025, Pope Francis left this earthly life. Ora pro nobis 🙏🙏🙏

The Regina Coeli is the Eastertide anthem of the Blessed Virgin Mary, prescribed for recitation from Compline of Holy Saturday until Afternoon Prayer of the Saturday after Pentecost inclusively. Substitute this prayer for the Angelus during the Easter season.

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Easter Monday is known as the Monday of the Angel in honor of the angel who announced the Resurrection to the women at the tomb. The Gospel of Matthew tells how the angel said, "Do not be afraid! He is not here, for He has risen, as He said" (Matthew 28:5-6). 🙏🙏🙏

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@PrayTheRosary St Raphael.

Who is your confirmation saint?

He is Risen.❤️ Happy Easter!