The day after Easter is a feast day, but this does not surprise us, because the liturgy teaches us that, starting on Easter, it is actually Easter - and therefore a feast - for eight days (called the Octave of Easter), ending with Divine Mercy Sunday, which this year we celebrate on April 24.
Easter therefore marks the beginning of the celebration and of life as people risen from the dead, that is, reborn in Christ, and the Monday after Easter inaugurates the celebration that continues.
But why is this day, usually dedicated to trips out of town, called Angel Monday? The name, which comes from popular tradition, refers to the fact that on the day after Easter, people commemorate the encounter between the women who came to the tomb and the angel who announced Jesus’ resurrection to them: “Do not be afraid! You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, the crucified one. He has risen; he is not here” (Mt 16:6).
Pope Francis comments on this encounter: “The image of the angel sitting on the stone of the tomb is the concrete, visible manifestation of God’s victory over evil. From the angel’s words, we can draw a precious lesson: let us never tire of seeking the risen Christ, who gives abundant life to all who encounter him.”
So, on this Angel Monday, let the angel’s words resonate in our hearts: “He is not here. He has risen,” and let us continue to live as people risen from the dead, as bearers of light!
To learn more about Divine Mercy
€ 2,00 1,90
€ 7,00 5,60
€ 9,00 8,55
€ 9,00 8,55
