[Please note corrections relating to April 25th and notes on the Octave of Easter. And we somehow forgot the 7 Sorrows feast.]
In the traditional Liturgical Year, we begin April in Lent, move through Passiontide and the Easter Triduum, and end in Paschal Time (also known as Eastertide). This is all a snippet of the “Cycle of Easter: The Mystery of the Redemption,” which extends until Advent. We will see our collective meditation upon the Redemption pass from penance and Our Lord’s Passion, to the glory of the Resurrection, foretelling our own Resurrection of soul and body after death. After the sorrowful Holy Week, we enter into what the New Marian Missal calls “a time of uninterrupted joy and feasts.” Eastertide includes the Octave of Easter (originally consecrated to the newly baptized), the Ascension of Our Lord and Pentecost. The Paschal Candle, lit on the evening of Holy Saturday, shines until Ascension Thursday, representing the Resurrected Lord upon earth.
Take note of the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady on the 11th. There are a number of devotions for this feast.
The 25th is the feast of Saint Mark [correction: not celebrated this year because this is Easter Friday, which takes precedence] and also what we traditionally call the Major Rogation Day [this still applies]. Rogation Days are very similar to the seasonal Ember Days, but of different origin. It is, it seems, inappropriate to have a day of penance during the Octave of Easter, so keeping the Rogation Day in a spirit of joy would be advisable (pray the Litany of the Saints, see below). To tie it in with April’s Eucharistic devotion, we might attend Mass or read Saint Mark’s account of the Last Supper, Mark 14:12-26 [Saint Mark would probably appreciate a nod to him]. Here is the definition of “Rogation Days” from Father John Hardon’s book, Modern Catholic Dictionary:
“Prescribed days of prayer and penance in spring. Two sets of rogation days were kept since early Christian times: the Major Rogation on April 25, the Feast of St. Mark; and the Minor Rogations on the last three days before Ascension Thursday. They were instituted to appease divine justice, ask for protection, and invoke God's blessing on the harvest. The Litany of the Saints was [prayed] in procession and the Rogation Mass followed. The feast of St. Mark, as the more ancient, was also called the Greater Litanies; it Christianized a pagan spring festival in honor of the god Robigus. The three other rogation days were adapted in Rome under Pope Leo III (reigned 795-816). (Etym. Latin rogatio, inquiry, request.)”
Divine Mercy Sunday is always one week after Easter and Our Lord Himself asked Saint Faustina to institute a novena, beginning on Good Friday. You can find the Chaplet and Novena prayers on our Home page or you can print this PDF which includes the lesser-known Litany to the Divine Mercy. Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska of the Blessed Sacrament, devoted herself profoundly to the Holy Eucharist and her Chaplet features these words:
“Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Thy dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.”
During this Information Age, it is ironic that so few know and believe the teachings of Holy Church on the Body of Christ. Holiness starts at home, so instructing those who need help with this is our primary responsibility. Making reparation for the outrages against the Eucharist is also a wonderful thing. There are various litanies and prayers-here is one:
Litany of Reparation to the Blessed Sacrament
Some places have special Eucharistic devotions during Lent. For instance, the Diocese of Rockville Centre, NY, is honoring the 40 days of Lent with Adoration at 40 different parishes. The USCCB’s 3-year National Eucharistic Revival continues until June 22nd. There may be other activities associated with the Jubilee Year of 2025 (more on this holy year in the coming month on the blog).
Wishing you and your families many blessings as we celebrate Easter, the “Solemnity of Solemnities,” and honor the Most Holy Eucharist, that body both broken and resurrected.
Notable feasts of April:
5th-First Saturday
6th to 19th-Passion Sunday and Passiontide (trad)
11th-SEVEN SORROWS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
13th-Palm Sunday
17th-Holy/Maundy Thursday
18th to 20th-EASTER TRIDUUM (traditionally, no meat is eaten on Holy Saturday)
20th to 27th-Octave of Easter, Privileged Octave of the First Order (Easter is of such great importance, that it is given an entire 8 days of celebration)
25th-Greater or Major Rogation Day
27th-Divine Mercy Sunday/Low Sunday (trad)
28th-Saint Louis de Montfort
29th-Saint Catherine of Siena
30th-Saint Catherine of Siena (trad)
HOMESCHOOLING ACTIVITIES FOR APRIL
1) Create artwork or make a craft celebrating the joy of Easter.
2) Write a short essay on the Paschal Candle, explaining its symbols and symbolism.
3) Compose your own prayer to thank Jesus for the gift of Holy Communion.