Lent certainly has a penitential aspect to it, but it also is a great period of preparation, said Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
“We get to celebrate the fact that God has really helped us to prepare and now continues to be with us as we strive to live out that Easter joy and to be, as some people would refer to us, as ‘Easter people,’” he said. “Having that great sense of what God has done for us and what happened at the triduum, and how it is that that new life that is Jesus’ is a life that’s offered to those of us who follow him.”
Archbishop Bernard Hebda
Archbishop Hebda recently joined Maria Wiering, editor-in-chief of The Catholic Spirit, for an upcoming episode of the “Practicing Catholic” radio show to discuss the paschal mystery and some of his favorite celebrations of the Easter season.
With Easter celebrated for eight days and the Easter season celebrated for 50 days, Wiering asked the archbishop what he does to keep the joy of the Easter season, especially in the first octave of Easter.
The Church helps with that, the archbishop said, especially for those who pray the Liturgy of the Hours. “And we’re attentive to the different things that we do with the celebration of Mass,” he said. “The prayers … are very much focused on the fact that we’re continuing our celebration of Easter. That’s certainly on the liturgical level.”
Many cultures have traditions, too, he said, noting that the Monday after Easter is a civil holiday in Italy, “an opportunity to celebrate,” he said.
And he recalled a Polish tradition from his father’s side of the family – celebrating Dyngus Day, which, he said is “very baptismal.” As part of the celebration, “you would throw water on other people,” he said. “It was always, especially as a child, great fun.”
One thing about Easter is that “it always gives us hope,” Archbishop Hebda said. “That even in moments that seem so bleak, the Lord can emerge in a way that allows his glory to be known.”
Archbishop Hebda also described how an order of Polish religious sisters living in Rome celebrated Dyngus Day. To hear details of what that looked like, and to listen to the full interview, tune into this episode of “Practicing Catholic,” which debuts 9 p.m. April 15 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM and repeats at 1 p.m. April 16 and 2 p.m. April 17.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes interviews with Mickey Nickelson, president of the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women, who describes the ACCW and its upcoming 89th convention; and Father Michael Van Sloun, interim director of clergy personnel in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, who discusses the meaning and symbolism of Pentecost and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Listen to all of the interviews after they have aired at:
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