How wonderful, Lord, You returned.
You conquered death forever.
You rose again.
O Joyful Day,
You are our hope and joy.
Help us not to be afraid of death.
We too will pass through it.

Let us rejoice on this happy day.
Our Lenten journey is over.
Our fasting is complete.
Jesus has risen from the dead.
Now we can celebrate.
We have journeyed with Jesus.
We carried His cross with Him.
We now share in His Resurrection.

Our world is in crisis.
There are painful scenes of war and violence.
Our planet is in danger.
How can we celebrate Easter this year?
Jesus has come into our world today.
He brings Good News of His Presence.
His Kingdom has come.
Jesus comes with light and hope.
He is Risen, Alleluia.
Death and sin no longer
Have the final say.
We are called to be Easter People,
People of Hope
People of the Resurrection,
People who find true happiness in God.
We are Christ’s Body now on earth.
We are now His disciples.

The Risen Lord will sustain us.
He opens our hearts
To expect eternal life with God.
The Risen Lord energises us.

Come our Risen Lord and save us.
Come our Risen Lord, revive our lives.
Come, our Risen Lord, heal us.
Come, our Risen Lord, enflame our hearts.
Come, our Risen Lord, sustain us.
Come, our Risen Lord, increase our faith.

Risen Lord, when darkness overwhelms us,
May Your dawn beckon –
When fear paralyses us
May Your touch release us.
When grief torments us,
May Your peace enfold us.
When memories haunt us.
May Your presence heal us.
When justice fails us,
May Your anger ignite us.
When apathy stagnates us,
May Your challenge renew us.
When courage leaves us,
May Your Spirit inspire us.
Unbind us too and let us go,
To do Your work.

As we rejoice in the miracle of Easter,
We lift our hearts in prayer to You.
Use us Lord as instruments of Your peace
And vessels of Your love.
Thank You, Lord, for the Love that
Triumphs over death forever,
For the Hope that Resurrection brings.
May this Easter be a time of love and peace.
May our hearts be like Yours, Lord,
As wide as the world.
Help us to work for the unity of all people –
A world – wide family,
Centred in You.

Ann Crowley rsm
South Central Province