Easter Prayer

Father: Christ is risen, Alleluia.

Family: He is truly risen, Alleluia.

Father: The Lord is risen from the grave, Alleluia.

Family: Who hung upon the Cross for us, Alleluia.

Father: Let us pray. O God,

through Thine only-begotten Son

Thou hast overcome death on this day

and hast opened unto us the gate of everlasting life;

pursue with Thine aid the good resolves Thou hast inspired,

and by Thy constant help make them lastingly effective.

Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son,

who is living and reigning forever and ever.

Family: Alleluia, Alleluia.

Father: This is the day the Lord has made, Alleluia.

Family: Let us be glad and rejoice in it, Alleluia.

Father: To God the Father let us sing, to God the Son, our Risen King.

Family: And let us equally adore the Spirit, God forever more, Alleluia.

Father: Praise the Lord, for He is good,

Family: Sing praise to our Lord, for He is gracious,

it is fitting to praise Him.

Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;

sing praise with the harp to our God,

Who covers the heavens with clouds,

who provides rain for the earth;

Who makes grain sprout on the mountains

and herbs for the service of men;

Who gives food to the cattle,

and to the young ravens when they cry to

In the strength of the steed He delights not,

nor is He pleased with the fleshness of men.

The Lord is pleased with those who fear Him,

and with those who hope for His kindness.

Father: Now when the Sabbath was past,

Mary Magdalen and Mary, the mother of Jesus,

and Salome bought sweet spices that coming they might anoint Jesus.

And very early in the morning,

the first day of the week,

they came to the sepulchre,

the sun being now risen.

And they said to one another:

Who shall roll us back the stone from the door of the sepulchre?

And looking they saw the stone rolled back,

for it was very great.

And entering into the sepulchre

they saw a young man sitting on the right side,

clothed with a white robe;

and they were astonished.

Who saith to them: Be not affrighted.

You seek Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified.

He is 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

where you shall see him, as He told you. [Mark 16:1-7]

The resurrection

[From The Story of the Redemption for Children, copyright by the Gregorian Institute of America, Toledo, Ohio.]

They placed Him in a tomb of stone,

Dead, all helpless, and alone.

But Easter morn, before the light,

He rose alive in glory bright!

Source: Family Customs: Easter to Pentecost by Helen McLoughlin, The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minnesota, 1956.]