 The Announcement of the Date of Easter and of other principal feasts on Epiphany dates back to a time when calendars were not readily available to people. Since the date of Easter changes every year in accordance with the lunar calendar and many celebrations of the liturgical year also depend on this date, it was necessary to make known its date of in advance.
Although we now have calendars and personal diaries, many of which include religious feasts and lunar phases, this Epiphany proclamation still has value. It is a reminder of the centrality of Easter, of the celebration of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of the Lord, for believers. On the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, the proclamation takes place after the Post-Communion prayer. Where possible, it should be sung by a deacon, or cantor. In their absence, the celebrant may sing or proclaim it according to this formula: The Proclamation of Easter and the Moveable Feasts for the Year 2025 Know, dear brothers and sisters, that, as we have rejoiced at the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, so by leave of God’s mercy we announce to you also the joy of his Resurrection, who is our Saviour. On the fifth day of March will fall Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of the fast of the most sacred Lenten season. On the twentieth day of April you will celebrate with joy Easter Day, the Paschal feast of our Lord Jesus Christ. On the twenty-ninth day of May will be the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ. On the eighth day of June, the feast of Pentecost. On the twenty-second day of June, the feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. On the thirtieth day of November, the First Sunday of the Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom is honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
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Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! On Easter Day we gathered to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, to celebrate the Eucharist, and to welcome new members of the Church coming forward for Baptism. It was a special joy and blessing to mark the beginning of the Easter season in this way. From the order of service: Today we rejoice with our Christian brothers and sisters around the world at the resurrection of the Lord Jesus from the grave. This is the central truth of our faith: death has no more power over Jesus and in his resurrection we contemplate our future; eternal life in him. As St Paul’s wrote to early Christians, “your life is hidden with Christ in God, and when Christ, who is your life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory” (Col 3:3-4) Photo Copyright: All Saints' PCC Houghton Regis
The Easter Vigil took place on Holy Saturday (30 March). This is the great proclamation of the the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and of his victory over death. It's a joyous celebration of new life in the Lord. This service, following ancient traditions, begins with the blessing of a new fire and the Paschal Candle (the symbol of the risen Christ) is lit from this. The Vigil features elements of light and darkness, fire and water, to lead us to meditate on the new life we receive through the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. The central feature of the celebration is the Baptismal liturgy, where water is solemnly blessed and people are invited to renew their baptismal commitments to follow Christ. Photo Copyright: All Saints' PCC Houghton Regis The Easter Vigil, which is the greatest and most noble of all solemnities, marks the end of the emptiness and sorrow of Holy Saturday, and leads us into the celebration of Christ’s victory over Death and Hell. The word ‘Alleluia’ (meaning “God be praised”) which has been silent throughout Lent, returns. The Vigil is arranged in such a way that after the Lucernarium (the lighting of the Paschal Candle) and the singing of the Exultet (the Easter Proclamation), we meditate on the wonders the Lord God has done for his people, focusing on the theme of Renewal. After this, we are invited to renew our Baptismal commitments to the Christian life before being called to celebrate the Eucharist, the living memorial of his Death and Resurrection. Photo Copyright: All Saints' PCC Houghton Regis Today we have begun the celebrations of Holy Week in Houghton Regis with the Parish Mass for Palm Sunday. This is the day in which Christians remember the Lord’s entrance in Jerusalem accompanied by his disciples and a cheering crowd; however, this is also the day in which we read one of the Passion narratives from the gospels – the story of Jesus’ suffering and death of Calvary for our salvation. For these reasons, Palm Sunday is now mostly associated with the colour red in the Western Christian tradition – the colour of royalty and the of blood. The service started in Bedford Square with the Blessing of Palm Crosses and a procession of All Saints’ Church via the Memorial Path. The preacher, who delivered a cracking and genuinely inspiring sermon, was the Rev’d Tim Haines, Pioneer Minister in the Bidwell West. Photos courtesy of Dr Matthew Hurley The Easter Vigil, which is the greatest and most noble of all solemnities, marks the end of the emptiness of Holy Saturday, and leads into the celebration of Christ’s victory over Death and Hell. The word ‘Alleluia’ (meaning “God be praised”) which has been silent throughout Lent, returns. Alleluia! sing to Jesus! His the sceptre, his the throne. Alleluia! His the triumph, his the victory alone! (William Chatterton Dix) By most ancient tradition, this is the night of keeping vigil for the Lord (Ex 12:42), in which, following the Gospel admonition (Lk 12:35-37), the faithful, carrying lighted candles in their hands, should be like those looking for the Lord when he returns, so that at his coming he may find them awake and have them sit at his table. The Vigil is arranged in such a way that after the Lucernarium (or lighting of the Paschal Candle) and the Exultet (or Easter Proclamation), we will meditate on the wonders the Lord God has done for his people from the beginning., focusing on the theme of “Renewal”. After this, we will be invited to renew our Baptismal commitments to the life the Christian life before being called to celebrate the Eucharist, the living memorial of his Death and Resurrection. |
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