On Easter Sunday, the Church proclaims John 20:1-9. Mary of Magdala becomes the first witness of Christ’s empty tomb. Imagine her amazement, her quickened pulse, her fear and wonder as she encountered the stone moved away from Jesus’ gravesite. Mary of Magdala rushed to tell Peter and John. Through their eyes, conviction, determination, and voices of love, we celebrate the gift and joy of Christ’s resurrection. As believers in life beyond the grave, we pray to the Lord.
For those who fearfully go back to what they have always known in the past. Mary of Magdala meandered to the tomb in the early morning saddened by loss and death. When she peered into the empty grave, her heart became a home for sheer delight. May we discover newness in our hearts, healing in our souls, and joy along our path to God’s Kingdom. May our old ways of fear and anxiety become joy and love in Christ’s empty tomb. We pray to the Lord.
For people who hesitate to stand in the light of love. For the bashful, the hesitant and the reluctant, and those who feel unworthy. May we all bask under the flicker of the Paschal Candle during Easter. May the flame spread to all who wait for the warmth of faith and a new direction toward justice. May we all savor Christ’s gifts of courage and hope. We pray to the Lord.
For new Christians at the Easter Vigil. May all who approach the waters of baptism discover joy in the proclamation of our second birth. May we unite our lives and shout for joy at the font of forgiveness and salvation. May baptismal waters wash doubt away and flood our souls with rejoicing. We pray to the Lord.
For people who survive the tragedies of violence and war. For all who face fear, neglect, and hatred. May Christ’s empty tomb be a sign of hope for us all. May we work diligently for the common good. May Easter bring resilience in our efforts to live the gospel of justice. May we listen carefully to Mary of Magdala’s witness to Christ’s empty tomb and realize that nothing is impossible with God. We pray to the Lord.
For gardeners who till the soil in springtime, who plant seeds for summer blossom, who water and weed for full growth. May we all cultivate the earth for its beauty, food, and resources. May justice spring forth from the land and fresh food and lasting hope renew the people of the earth. May our work in the Easter season bring us all to the garden of delight in heaven. We pray to the Lord.
For all who renew their baptism at Easter. May we dip our hands into blessed water and mark our human bodies with the Sign of the Cross. May this witness to our salvation renew our hearts and comfort our souls, and may our second birth in Christ Jesus be lived in our every action and in our every breath. We pray to the Lord.
For our youth who will receive the Eucharist for the first time in the Easter season. May the true desire for God stir young hearts to love Jesus Christ, and may they learn to serve others with kindness. May we model for the next generation lives of integrity and generosity. May their First Communion lead them into a life of peace and forgiveness, no matter the crosses they may bear in the future. We pray to the Lord.
For the Congregation of Holy Cross and our men who will be ordained priests in the Easter season. May these four new priests, Richard, Noah, Aaron, and David, bring hope to all people in every corner of the world. May they listen attentively to our ancestors who peered into the empty tomb of Jesus. May they preach with zeal and spiritual fire. May they bend toward the earth to listen to the voices of the poor and to the anguish of the broken. May they learn to see and to speak of all that is holy and good. We pray to the Lord.
For all engaged couples who will celebrate matrimony in this Easter season. May their commitment radiate joy in our Church and world. May hope be found in their lives together. May their vocation fill households with deep listening, attentiveness, and honest support. We pray to the Lord.
For all graduates in this springtime. May all who face transitions rely on the gift of the Holy Spirit. May they enter into a new dimension of responsibility and live in hope for their future. May Easter’s empty tomb compel our youth into joy and freedom in every aspect of life. We pray to the Lord.
For people imprisoned behind bars and those confined behind the secrets of their hearts. May we have the courage to peer into the dark corners of our world to find new life, bountiful hope, and resilient love. May our Risen Savior take us into the depths of people’s suffering to bring hope upon the earth. We pray to the Lord.
For people who face emptiness in their lives. For all people who hold regret and shame. For people who feel their voices are not heard in family and community. For all who live on the brink of despair. May Easter bring true communion of love and forgiveness among all people and may hope be born in every heart. May the echo of Mary of Magdala’s voice resound in our silence and in our truth. We pray to the Lord.
For all priests, brothers, sisters, and married couples who celebrate anniversaries in the Easter season. May we celebrate God’s creative work in our lives and in our relationships with joy and gratefulness. May our anniversaries reveal hope in our commitments to serve the gospel. May our commitments shine like the sun and continue to radiate warmth to the next generation. We pray to the Lord.
For all who carry the burden of a loved one’s death on their shoulders. May we all stoop to peer into the empty tomb of Jesus and surrender to death even in our pain and earthly responsibilities. May sorrow melt away from the weight of our loss. May our grief be released from our own bodies in Christ’s love this Easter. May we find rejoicing for our loved ones in their eternal home. We pray to the Lord.
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About: Rev. Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C., serves as religious superior of Holy Cross House, our retirement and medical facility at Notre Dame, Indiana. He is an award-winning author, blogger, and visual artist. Learn more at: ronaldraab.com
Artwork: Fr. Ron created this painting and collage a few months ago. Fr. Ron’s artwork has been published in parishes, dioceses, and ecumenical settings around the world.
Published March 2025
