Dear Faithful of the Archdiocese of St. Louis,

I offer to you my deepest greetings of joy and peace on the Solemnity of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ – Happy Easter!

Easter is to the Church year what Sunday is to each week – a highlight of rest and rejoicing. Its vivid symbols of fire, water and exultant song remind us that Christ has overcome sin and death. Because of that we know, in the words of Pope Francis, that when everything is said and done, we are infinitely loved by God.

Let us pray that the light of Christ will shine in our hearts this Easter, and reach out to others through us. We know that our Savior lives. Let us share with others the joy of knowing that they are loved by God!

I ask that you keep in mind that the collection for Regina Cleri, the residence for our retired priests, is today. You know how generously the retired priests served you, and how you counted on them. Now, in turn, they count on you, and are grateful for your generous support and prayers.

I pray these are days of blessing for you and your loved ones.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Robert J. Carlson

Brennan Manning, in his daily devotional book, Reflections for Ragamuffins, writes this about this great feast of Easter:

The power and wisdom of God is singularly manifested in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Is it really that surprising that from Jesus’ greatest act of love, his greatest power would flow? The life of the Christian is not the imitation of a dead hero. The Christian lives in Christ and Christ lives in the Christian through the Holy Spirit. He is empowered to lead a new life where sin has no place. If he does not, he frustrates the power of the Pascal Mystery by his refusal of faith in the power.

“How often are Christians unwilling to believe that they have been transformed and that the impossible has become possible?” asks scripture scholar John McKenzie.

If there is a challenge to this Easter Sunday, is it not just that – to believe, not just in the resurrection of Christ, but our own transformation by that event and his love for us? It is time to get busy living a changed life…