“Christ is risen! Christ is truly risen!”—so day the Eastern Christians. We are in the Easter Octave—8 days to celebrate the one Easter “Day” since each of the 8 days is considered part of the one “day” of the week of Easter. Why this mystical conundrum? Because Easter, like Baptism, by Jesus’ Resurrection initiates us into eternity and the everlasting Day of Heaven where there is no darkness, no sadness. Heaven is Easter forever!
Tomorrow we will be open for the Wednesday of Easter, and we will be open also on the Friday (April 10) and Saturday of Easter (April 11). During the Easter Season we will chant/recite the Regina Caeli before Mass, I will chant the Sequence during Mass.
This Sunday, April 12, we will be celebrating Divine Mercy Sunday which concludes and culminates the Octaveof Easter. We will observe Divine Mercy Sunday according to the following schedule.
- (10:30 am) Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament & Confessions (Fr. Steve Mateja & Fr. Alex)
- (12:00 pm) Talk: “The Gaze of Mercy” by Fr. Steve Mateja (Priest of Archdiocese of Detroit)
- (12:30 pm) Rosary: The Glorious Mysteries
- (1:00 pm) Holy Mass: Fr. Stever Mateja, presider & preacher; Fr. Alex Kratz, OFM concelebrant
- (2:15 pm) Exposition & Confessions: followed by the relic of St. Faustina: Veneration & Blessing
- (3:00 pm) Hour of Mercy: Chaplet of Divine Mercy chanted & Eucharistic Benediction
Third Monday, April 20, is our Evening of Reparation—so important for the apocalyptic times. At 6:30 pm Doors Open, Eucharistic Exposition and Confession upon request. A 7:00 pm Holy Hour of Reparation follows as does a Mass of Reparation to conclude.
To communicate with me, please email me directly at abunaalex@yahoo.com or call/text me at (313) 727-9784. Risen Lord Jesus, save us!
In Jesus, Mary & Joseph,
Fr. Alex Kratz, OFM
Spiritual Director of Terra Sancta Ministries