As we conclude Lent and enter the triumphant and celebratory season of Easter, I encourage you to draw your friends, families and neighbors into the mystery and beauty of our faith. Easter is the ideal opportunity to invite others to discover why we believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ. Our creed is built on this fact, and it is a source of consolation and certainty in our lives.

First, close your eyes and imagine, as we read in the Gospel of Mark, the fear and confusion that Mary Magdalene, Salome and Mary mother of James felt when they found Jesus’ tomb was empty. 

Second, there are many people in our nation and in our communities who are worried that God cannot hear their prayers. I ask that all people of goodwill share this message, especially with those who do not share in our faith — the only way to conquer fear is to know for certain that Christ conquered sin and death and rose victorious from the grave. The women at the tomb saw this and came to believe, as we do, that all things are possible with our risen Lord. Through him, all our pains and sufferings can be borne to the sight of the Father, laid bare, and made clean. Our compassionate and brilliant Jesus has set us free.

As Jesus made himself known to the apostles after his resurrection, he remains alive among us, forever dwelling in tabernacles around the world. He is the redeemer of all people for all time in all places.

And so I encourage you to pray for all children of God, for those who do not know how deeply they are loved by their Creator, for those yet to know that Jesus died for sinners and saints, believers and unbelievers alike. How blessed are we to have such an attentive, perfect and unwavering advocate in heaven!

I pray that you and your families have a blessed Easter season.

“The resurrection is the greatest miracle of Christianity, and everything depends on it” (St. Paul VI).

In Christ’s love,

Most Rev. Jacques Fabre-Jeune, CS

Bishop of Charleston