Easter Sunday 2020: Celebrate With Our Little Roses
This year, Easter Sunday falls on Sunday, April 12th. Leading up to Easter Sunday 2020, there are 40 days of Lent (excluding Sundays), 7 of which are part of Holy Week. The Triduum begins with the evening service on Holy (Maundy) Thursday and continues with Good Friday, ending with the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. Easter Sunday marks the first day of the Easter season which continues on until the Feast of Pentecost falling on May 31st, 2020.
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter, which will be on April 5th this year. On Palm Sunday, the pastor blesses palm leaves, and members of the church hold onto them. After the mass ends, they join in the procession and walk outside, carrying the palm leaves as they go.
Holy Thursday
Holy Thursday (April 9th) is a very special day. Holy Thursday is a time to reflect on the Last Supper, which Jesus shared with his twelve disciples. Many churches remember the significance of this day with a very special service. During the service, worship leaders wash the feet of church members, just as Jesus washed the feet of his disciples during his Passover dinner.
Good Friday
Good Friday follows Holy Thursday, falling on April 10th. Holy Saturday is the sixth and final day of Holy Week.
Good Friday is a time to reflect and focus on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He died by way of crucifixion, after being forced to carry the cross he would be nailed to through the streets. Christians think of the sacrifices Jesus made for his followers, and they mourn his death on Good Friday.
Many churches pray the “Stations of the Cross” on this day. This beautiful practice is a reflection of the events of Good Friday. It is a solemn day of prayer and fasting for most Christian denominations.
So, now that we know more about the seven days leading up to Easter, what happens on Easter Sunday? Let’s find out!
What is Easter?
Easter is the official day of celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christians all over the world come together to rejoice in the resurrection of their lord and savior. Known as Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter focuses on reminiscing and reflecting on the life of Jesus. After mourning the death of Jesus, followers of Christ come together to share the happiness that Easter brings.
Where Did Easter Originate?
Jesus was born in the city of Bethlehem, but he died in Jerusalem. After being crucified on a wooden cross atop Golgotha Hill, Jesus was carried to a cave right outside of Jerusalem. A giant stone was rolled in front of the entrance of the tomb, and three days later, he rose from the dead.
What Determines When Easter Sunday Will Be?
Easter is a religious holiday that falls on a Sunday in spring. Now, many people think that Easter Sunday always falls on the first Sunday in April, but this isn’t actually the case! Rather, Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday following the first full moon.
There’s a caveat, however. Easter Sunday doesn’t just fall on the Sunday after the first full moon of the year. Instead, it’s based on the first full moon after something known as the vernal equinox.
Usually, on either March 20th or March 21st, the vernal equinox refers to a phenomenon where the sun moves into the northern hemisphere, passing over the celestial equator as it goes. At that point, the sun is exactly over the equator. The vernal equinox also denotes the first day of spring!
It can be a bit confusing to follow, so here’s a breakdown of how to figure out when Easter will be:
- Figure out if the vernal equinox is on March 20th or March 21st
- Look for the date that the first full moon will fall on after the vernal equinox
- Find the first Sunday after that full moon
- That’s Easter!
Holiday Traditions During the Easter Season
For people in Honduras, Easter Sunday is full of colorful decorations and reenactments of Jesus’ life. Many people fly to Honduras to engage in the festivities of La Semana Santa, or Holy Week. People perform songs and dances for the general public, accompanied by the ever-popular traditional soup known as Sopa de Mondongo.
Many people who celebrate Easter put a lot of effort and energy into the big day. From attending church and hosting family gatherings, to dressing elegantly and appreciating their loved ones, it’s a day that everyone looks forward to the most.
It’s considered to be the light at the end of the tunnel during Lent. There are so many emotions that arise during Easter Sunday, and everyone’s celebration is unique, including the celebratory events at Our Little Roses.
How the Girls Celebrate Easter in 2020
At Our Little Roses, our Easter celebrations actually start on the eve of Easter morning. The night before Easter, we host an Easter Vigil, and all of the girls attend the vigil.
After a good night’s rest, we come together on Easter morning to rejoice and revel in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We engage in a procession as the cross is carried down the aisle, all beautified with flowers that the girls decorated the cross with shortly beforehand.
The word Alleluya is not permitted during the season of Lent, which is the period leading up to Holy Week, with Easter as the end goal. But on Easter, the word Alleluya is one of the first words we exclaim, followed by, “The Lord is risen.”
On that day, Christians all over the world think about the day that people first realized Jesus had risen from the dead. From then on, Jesus has been seated at the right hand of the Father, otherwise known as God himself.
How You Can Get Involved with Our Little Roses
We think of the founding of Our Little Roses as being an Easter story in and of itself. Easter is a story of pushing through the darkness and entering the light. At Our Little Roses, the girls have persevered through some of the darkest times in their lives, struggling to believe in a brighter future, but with the help of our supporters, the girls get to experience a life filled with love and hope.
If you would like to help us to continue providing for the girls in our care, we ask that you consider donating to our foundation. From sending in as little as a one-time donation of $10 to consistently donating a set amount every month, the amount that you donate is completely up to you. We thank you for helping us make the girls’ lives better than ever. Make a difference this Easter and contact us today to make your donation!