Even though many of us refer to the present week as “Easter Week,” the more accurate term is the “Easter Octave.” The term “octave” derives from the Latin word for “eighth” (in music, the eighth note).
In Catholic worship and liturgy, we use this language to describe “the eighth day” itself or the whole period of these eight days. Thus, the Easter Octave begins with Easter Sunday and continues through the following (Second) Sunday of Easter. The modern Catholic calendar includes two such octaves: the present one for Easter and the one for Christmas. In loose terms, the Church is saying that the joy and festivity of these two great Feasts cannot be properly celebrated in only one day. Even more, these eight days are like one day!
Let’s not forget that, from ancient times, the Church has referred the weekly celebration of Christ’s Resurrection, every Sunday, as the “eighth day.” In fact, the Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “Jesus rose from the dead ‘on the first day of the week.’ Because it is the ‘first day,’ the day of Christ’s Resurrection recalls the first creation. Because it is the ‘eighth day’ following the sabbath, it symbolizes the new creation ushered in by Christ’s Resurrection. For Christians it has become the first of all days, the first of all feasts, the Lord’s Day – Sunday.” [2174]
All Easter candies and decorations are probably at least 50% off at local stores by now and if we were to wish someone a “Happy Easter” in public we may draw a quizzical look or two, but we are in this for the long haul! Let us rejoice (for the length of the Octave of Easter and for the Fifty Days of the season) for Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed!
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Usamos la frase “Semana de Pascua,” pero con el Domingo de Resurrección comienza los “Cincuenta Días” del tiempo Pascual que concluye en Pentecostés. La Octava de Pascua se trata de la primera semana de la Cincuentena. Se considera como si fuera un solo día, es decir, el júbilo del Domingo de Pascua se prolonga ocho días seguidos.
Lo hermoso de estos ocho días (de domingo a domingo) radica en que deben ser vividos como si fueran “un solo día.” Se trata, pues, de un “largo domingo” o “gran domingo” en el que el júbilo por Cristo vuelto a la vida se prolonga con la misma intensidad con que se vive el Domingo de Resurrección. ¡El Señor ha Resucitado!
