Paschaltide Devotions
in Honor of
the Resurrection
of Our Divine Lord
Recited daily throughout the Paschal Season, as indicated.
Triduum for the Feast of the Ascension
Instruction and Reflection on Paschaltide
Read on Sunday and Wednesday throughout the Paschal Season
The Church celebrates the triumph of Jesus during the Paschal Time; thus the Solemnity of Easter marks the climax of the liturgical year. After the hard struggle against the powers of evil, the victorious Christ takes possession of the glorious life, which He will communicate to all those who, by Baptism, are united with Him in faith and love.
The Mystery of the Resurrection is called holy because in it Christ especially fulfills the conditions of holiness, namely, to be detached from every creature and sin, and to belong entirely to God. When Christ arose from the dead, He left in the tomb the linen cloths, which are the symbol of our sins and imperfections. He came forth triumphant from the sepulchre. In Him there is freedom, light, strength, beauty, life. His Divine Life is the model of ours, and He has merited for us the grace of living for God as He did. Through the Sacraments our souls are clad with Sanctifying Grace, the principle of Divine life. This life presupposes separation from all mortal and venial sin, so that the soul, being free, may act solely under the inspiration of grace and for God alone through faith and love. Then it is that Christ's life blossoms forth in our soul, as St. Paul says, "It is now no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me" (Gal. 2:20). This, then, is the spirit of Easter, the Paschal grace: detachment from all that is human, earthly, created; the full gift of ourselves to God, through Christ!
Daily: "Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed." (1 Cor. 5:7) Glory be to the Father...
I. The Resurrection Foretold
Sunday & Thursday
"My Flesh dwells in obscurity. For Thou wilt not abandon Me to the underworld; nor wilt Thou permit Thy Holy One to see corruption." (Psalm 15:9-10)
"For even as Jonas was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." (Matt. 20:18-19)
"Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." (John 2:19) Our Father...
"After I have risen, I will go before you into Galilee..." (Mark 14:28)
Let us Pray. Grant, we beseech Thee, O Almighty God, that we who celebrate the Feast of Easter, may with Thy help show its effects in our lives; through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Sequence: "Victimae Paschali Laudes"
Sunday and Thursday
Christ the Lord is risen today, Christians, haste your vows to pay;
Offer ye your praises meet at the Paschal Victim's feet.
For the sheep the Lamb hath bled, sinless in the sinner's stead.
Christ the Lord is risen on high; now He lives, no more to die.
Christ, the Victim undefiled, man to God hath reconciled;
When in strange and awful strife met together Death and Life;
Christians, on this happy day haste with joy your vows to pay.
Christ the Lord is risen on high; now He lives, no more to die.
Say, O wond'ring Mary, say, what thou sawest on thy way.
"I beheld where Jesus had lain, empty tomb and Angels twain;
I beheld the glory bright of the Risen Lord of Light:
Christ my hope is risen again; now He lives, and lives to reign."
Christ, Who once for sinners bled, now the First-born from the dead,
Throned in endless might and power, lives and reigns forevermore.
Hail, Eternal Hope on high! Hail, Thou King of victory!
Hail, Thou Prince of Life adored! Help and save us, gracious Lord.
Amen. Alleluia!
"Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain to receive power and divinity and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing. (Apoc. 5:12)
Let us Pray. Accept, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the prayers of Thy people with the oblation of sacrifice; that these Paschal mysteries which we have begun may by Thy grace afford us a healing remedy unto everlasting life; through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
II. The Resurrection
Read on Monday & Friday
"The Angel spoke and said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus, Who was crucified. He is not here, for He has risen even as He said. Come and see the place where the Lord was laid." (Matt. 28:5)
"When the women were struck with fear and bowed their faces to the ground, the Angels said to them, 'Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was yet in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise?'" (Luke 24:5-7)
To the Apostles also He showed Himself alive after His Passion by many proofs, during forty days appearing to them and speaking of the Kingdom of God. (Acts 1:3)
"For I delivered to you, first of all, what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, and after that to the Eleven. Then He was seen by more than five hundred brethren at one time, many of whom are with us still, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the Apostles. And last of all, as by one born out of due time, He was seen also by me. (1 Cor. 15:3-8)
"But as it is, Christ has risen from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep." (1 Cor. 15:20) Our Father...
Canticle - Monday, Wednesday, & Friday
V. "The right hand of the Lord has wrought strength; the right hand of the Lord has raised me up. Blessed is He Who cometh in the Name of the Lord. The Lord is truly God and He has shown forth unto us." (Psalm 117:16,26)
R. "This is the day which the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 107:24)
V. "Give glory to the Lord and call upon His Name; declare His deeds among the nations."
(Psalm 107:1)
R. "Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle; sing to the Lord through the whole world." (Ps. 95:1)
III. The Fruits of the Resurrection
On Tuesday & Saturday
"Since by a man came death, by a Man also comes the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made to live." (1 Cor. 15:22)
"If we have been united with Him in the likeness of His death, we shall be so in the likeness of His Resurrection also. For we know that our old self has been crucified with Him, in order that the body of sin may be destroyed, that we may no longer be slaves to sin." (Rom. 6:5:6)
"If the Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, then He Who raised Jesus Christ from the dead will also bring to life your mortal bodies because of His Spirit Who dwells in you." (Rom. 8:11)
"And when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be made subject to Him Who subjected all things to Him, that God may be all in all." (1 Cor. 15:28)
Hymn: "Rex Sempiterne Cœlitum"
Tuesday & Saturday
O Thou, the Heavens' eternal King, Creator, unto Thee we sing,
With God the Father ever one, coequal, coeternal Son.
Thy hand, when first the world began, made in Thine own pure image man,
And linked to Adam, sprung from earth, a living soul of heavenly birth.
And when by craft the envious foe had marred Thy noblest work below,
Clothed in our flesh, Thou didst restore the image Thou hadst made before.
Once wast Thou born of Mary's womb; and now, new-born from out the tomb,
O Christ, Thou bidd'st us rise with Thee from death to immortality.
Eternal Shepherd, Thou dost lave Thy flock in pure baptismal wave --
That mystic bath, that grave of sin, where ransomed souls new life begin.
Redeemer, Thou for us didst deign to hang upon the Cross of pain,
And give for us the lavish price of Thine own Blood in sacrifice.
Grant, Lord, in Thee each faithful mind unceasing Paschal joy may find;
And from the death of sin set free, souls newly born to life by Thee.
To Thee, once dead, Who now dost live, all glory, Lord, Thy people give,
Whom, with the Father, we adore, and Holy Ghost forevermore.
"If you have risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Mind the things that are above, not the things that are on earth." (Col. 3:1)
Sunday: To the Holy Women--
"And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome, brought spices, that they might go and anoint Him. On entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right side clothed in a white robe and they were amazed. He said to them, 'Do not be terrified. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth Who was crucified. He has risen, He is not here. Behold the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter that He goes before you into Galilee; there you shall see Him, as He told you.'" (Mark. 16:1-7)
Let us Pray. O God, Who (on this day) through Thine only-begotten Son didst conquer death, and open for us the gate to everlasting life, by Thy grace, do Thou carry into effect the holy desires which Thou hast inspired in us; through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Monday: To the Disciples on the Way to Emmaus--
"He said to them, 'O foolish ones and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things before entering into His glory?' ..... And He went in with them. And it came to pass, when He reclined at table with them, that He took the bread and blessed and broke and began handing it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. And they said to each other, 'was not our heart burning within us while He was speaking on the road and explaining to us the Scriptures?'" (Luke 24:13 et seq.)
Let us Pray. O God, Who in the Feast of Easter hast given healing grace to the world, we beseech Thee, continue to bestow Thy heavenly favors upon Thy people, so that we may be worthy to acquire true freedom and eternal life; through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Tuesday: To the Eleven--
"Jesus stood in their midst and said to them, 'Peace to be to you! It is I, do not be afraid.' But they were startled and panic-stricken and thought they saw a spirit. And He said to them, 'Why are you disturbed, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See My hands and feet, that it is I, Myself. Feel Me and see; for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.' And having said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. But as they still disbelieved and marveled for joy, He said, 'Have you anything here to eat?' And they offered Him a piece of broiled fish and a honeycomb. And when He had eaten in their presence, He took what remained and gave it to them. And He said to them, 'These are the words which I spoke to you while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled that are written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.' Then He opened their minds that they might understand the Scriptures. And He said to Them, 'Thus it is written: and thus the Christ should suffer, and should rise again from the dead on the third day; and repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His Name to all nations.'" (Luke 24:36-47)
Let us Pray. Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that the Paschal Sacrament which we have received may always continue to produce its effects within our souls; through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Wednesday: To the Disciples at the Lake of Genesareth--
"When day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, 'Young men, have you any fish?' They answered Him, 'No.' He said to them, 'Cast the net to the right of the boat and you will find them.' They cast, therefore, and now they were unable to draw it up for the great number of fishes. The disciple whom Jesus loved said therefore to Peter, 'It is the Lord.' Simon Peter, therefore, hearing that it was the Lord, girt his tunic about Him and threw himself into the sea. But the other disciples came with the boat... When, therefore, they had landed, they saw a fire ready, and a fish laid upon it, and bread. Jesus said to them, 'Come and breakfast.' And none of those reclining dared ask Him, 'Who art Thou?' knowing that it was the Lord. And Jesus came and took bread, and gave it to them, and likewise the fish..."
"A third time Jesus said to Peter, 'Simon, son of John, dost thou love Me?' And He said to Him, 'Lord, Thou knowest all things, Thou knowest that I love Thee.' He said to him, 'Feed My sheep.'" (John 21:17.)
Let us Pray. O God, Who dost gladden us by the yearly Feastday of Our Lord's Resurrection, deign to grant that we who celebrate these solemnities in time may reach heavenly joys in eternity; through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Thursday: To Mary Magdalene--
"But Mary was standing outside weeping at the tomb. . . Jesus said to her, 'Woman, why art thou weeping? Whom dost thou seek?' She, thinking it was the gardener, said to Him, "Sir, if thou hast removed Him, tell me where thou hast laid Him and I will take Him away.' Jesus said to her, 'Mary!' Turning, she said to Him, 'Rabboni!' (that is to say, Master). Jesus said to her, 'Do not touch Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father, but go to My brethren and say to them, I ascend to My Father and to your Father, to My God and your God.' Mary Magdalene came, and announced to the disciples, 'I have seen the Lord, and these things He said to me." (John 20:11f.).
Let us Pray. We beg Thee, O Lord, grant us ever to find joy through these Paschal mysteries, so that the continual work of our reparation may be for us the source of unending bliss; through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Friday: The Apparition on the Mountain--
"But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them to go. And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus drew near and spoke to them saying, 'All power in Heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.'" (Matt. 28:16-20)
Let us Pray. O Almighty and everlasting God, Who didst bestow the Paschal Sacrament in the covenant of man's reconciliation, grant that we may practice in life what we profess to believe; through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Saturday: To St. Peter--
"But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths laid there; and he went away wondering to himself at what had come to pass.... (Luke 24:12) The two disciples returned to Jerusalem, where they found the Eleven gathered together and those who were with them, saying, 'The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon.'" (Luke 24:33)
Let us Pray. Grant, we beseech Thee, O Almighty God, that we who have reverently observed the Feast of Easter, may be made worthy through it to reach eternal happiness; through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Sunday: To the Apostles in the Supper Room--
"Jesus came and stood in the midst and said to them, 'Peace be to you!' And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and his side. The disciples therefore rejoiced at the sight of the Lord. He therefore said to them again, 'Peace be to you! As the Father hath sent Me, I also send you.' When He had said this, He breathed upon them, and said to them, 'Receive ye the Holy Ghost; whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.'" (Luke 24:36f.)
To Thomas--
"And after eight days, His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being closed, and stood in their midst, and said, 'Peace be to you!' Then He said to Thomas, 'Bring here thy finger, and see My hands; and bring here thy hand, and put it into My side; and be not unbelieving, but believing.' Thomas answered and said to Him 'My Lord and My God!' Jesus said to him, 'Because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed. Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed.'" (John 20:26f).
Let us Pray. Pour into our hearts, O Lord, the Spirit of Thy love, that Thou mayest mercifully make to be of one mind, those whom Thou hast nourished with this Paschal Sacrament; through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Hymn -- Regina Cæli Laetare - Daily
Queen of Heaven, rejoice; Alleluia!
For He Whom thou didst merit to bear; Alleluia!
Has risen as He said; Alleluia!
Pray for us to God. Alleluia!
V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, Alleluia;
R. For the Lord has truly risen, Alleluia!
Let us Pray. O God, Who by the Resurrection of Thy Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, has vouchsafed to make glad the whole world, grant, we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may attain the joys of eternal life; through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.
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