Christ is risen! He is truly risen! From the clergy and staff of the region, I would like to wish you and your families a Happy Easter and a fruitful celebration of
Our Lord’s Resurrection. These past six weeks of Lent and the last few days of
celebrating the Triduum have brought us to the principal feast of the Church, and now ashes and penance give way to life and celebration.
 
The scriptures of the New Testament do not mince words when it comes to the centrality of the Resurrection. St. Paul tells us that “if Christ is not risen, then our faith is in vain” and that without Christ’s rising we are “the most pitiable of all men.” Without Christ’s victory over sin and death, then all the other great things about the Church, charitable work, community building, serving others, et cetera, are all for naught. We gather this day, as well as throughout the year, in commemoration of Jesus’ triumph.
 
The Triduum and Easter Sunday liturgies provide us with many beautiful rites that we don’t see throughout the rest of the year, all in recognition of Jesus’ death and Resurrection. Holy Thursday gives us the washing of the feet and the narrative of the institution of the Eucharist. Good Friday offers the veneration of the Cross and the prayers for the universal Church. The Easter
Vigil contains the Exsultet as well as all the rites surrounding the Easter candle and the admission of catechumens and candidates into the Church.
But one of the most beautiful treasures which the Church offers us is the Easter Sunday sequence, known in Latin as the Victimae Paschali Laudes, which translates as “Christians praise the Paschal Victim”. We pray this sequence as a people of faith rejoicing in the mystery of our redemption in Christ.

As we celebrate this great Feast of our salvation, I include here the full text of the Easter Sequence. I ask that you go over it in prayer, and even pray with it together as a family. During the Easter
liturgies this week, let its words wash over you and inspire a deeper gratitude for Our Savior’s love that moved Him to bring us out of sin
and darkness.
 
Happy Easter, and Prayers always,
Fr. McCullough
 
Christians, to the Paschal Victim
offer sacrifice and praise.

The sheep are ransomed by the Lamb;
and Christ, the undefiled,
hath sinners to his Father reconciled.

Death with life contended: combat strangely ended! Life's own Champion, slain,
yet lives to reign.

Tell us, Mary: say
what thou didst see upon the way.

The tomb the Living did enclose;
I saw Christ's glory as He rose!

The angels there attesting;
shroud with grave-clothes resting.

Christ, my hope, has risen:
He goes before you into Galilee.

That Christ is truly risen
from the dead we know.
Victorious King, Thy mercy show!
Amen. Alleluia.