Eastertide or Paschaltide Sundays

The season of Easter is considered the 50 days from Easter to Pentecost Sunday. According to our liturgical calendar, we celebrated this past Sunday, the Fourth Sunday after Easter; however, did you know that it also has a different name, along with the other Sundays in Eastertide? This season is devoted to celebrating the victory of the Risen Christ, who by His Passion has overcome sin and death and brought the Church into existence.^[1]

The eight days from Easter to the first Sunday following Easter are called the Octave of Easter. This period continues the Easter celebration, highlighting the importance of Christ's resurrection and the new life it brings. 

Quasimodo Geniti, the second Sunday after Easter or Low Sunday^[2], is named from the first words in an introit: Quasi modo geniti which translates to “like newborn babes.” This refers to the spiritual rebirth that happens through baptism and the celebration of Easter.

Misericordias Domini or Divine Mercy Sunday is the third Sunday after Easter. This is also derived from the first words of the introit, Misercicordia Domini plena et terra, “Of the mercy of the Lord the earth is full.”^[3] This Sunday is also known as the Sunday of the Myrrhbearers and commemorates Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome who were the first to go to Jesus’ tomb with myrrh and other spices to anoint his body.

Jubilate is the fourth Sunday after Easter and it translates to “rejoice”. It is also taken from the first word of the introit: Jubilate Deo, omnis terra, alleluia, “Sing joyfully to God, all the earth, alleluia,” (Ps.66:1.)^[4]

Cantate or “sing” on this fifth Sunday after Easter is the from the introit: Cantate Donino conticum nova, alleluia, and translates to, “O Sing ye unto the Lord a new song, alleluia” from (Ps. 98). This introit invites us to praise God with a new song of joy and thanksgiving for his salvation.

Rogate, which in Latin is “ask ye,” is our last Sunday before the Ascension and the sixth Sunday of Easter. Rogation Days were originally established to ask for blessings on crops, however, it also has an underlying theme from the Gospel of John 14. In this chapter, Jesus speaks of the importance of supplication and dependence on God for blessings. In verse 6, Jesus said “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

[1] F.L. Cross & E.A. Livingstone, The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (Oxford University, UK: Oxford University Press, 1957) page1234.

[2] Patricia S. Klein, Worship Without Words – The Signs and Symbols of Our Faith (Brewster, Massachusetts: Paraclete Press, 200) page 57.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.