After 40 days of passing up on a favorite indulgence, Easter weekend has begun for followers of Christian faiths or anyone looking for a good egg hunt or Peep eating contest.
Easter, which is held on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox (March 21), represents the death and resurrection of Jesus.
“We remember the death of Jesus and we believe his death redeemed us,” said Corinne Lopez, director of faith formation at the Newman Center, Catholic Campus Ministry.
Today at noon, the Newman Center will hold “Stations of the Cross,” where members will carry a large wooden cross up to Hendricks Park as “an observance and remembrance of Jesus carrying the cross” before his crucifixion, Lopez said.
At 3 p.m. the Newman Center will hold a reflection on the seven last words (sayings) of Jesus, such as “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Lopez said the center’s biggest event will be Saturday’s Easter vigil held at 8 p.m., and will include time for reflection, music and baptizing for those studying to enter the Catholic faith since last fall. She added that two “joyful” masses will be held Sunday morning at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
For those looking for a different way to celebrate the holiday, an Easter egg hunt will be held at the Harrisburg Elementary Fields on Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
Lopez said that while in some ways the commercialized image of Easter takes away from the religious meaning, eggs still represent rebirth and the resurrection of Jesus.
The candy-eating, food-oriented holiday will be the fast breaking for those who gave up any type of food for Lent, which represents the 40 days Jesus spent fasting before he was crucified on what is now known as Good Friday.
The 40 days of Lent are really 46, because Sundays are not taken into account. Traditionally, when thoughts of the renounced treat enters a person’s mind, he or she should instead use this time to pray or think about what Jesus overcame during his fast.
While the University food services director, Tom Driscoll, said on Easter “there will probably be deviled eggs or something like that,” in Carson and Barnhart, others will decide to make an Easter meal themselves or with friends and family.
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