VATICAN CITY - As individuals and as a church, it can be tempting to dwell on mistakes, failures and sins that block the fullness of life, but Easter is the proclamation that the Lord is victorious and his love will triumph, Pope Francis said.

When Vincent Cheng closed his eyes as he sang, the walls of the Church of All Nations faded away and he imagined Jesus on His knees praying fervently before the Father hours before His Passion.

Megan Turland must have read the story of the resurrected little girl in Mark 5 more than a hundred times.

ROME - Recalling Jesus' death on the cross, Pope Francis led thousands on Good Friday in reflecting on the crosses of loneliness, fear and betrayal that crucify countless men, women and children in the world.

The following is an edited version of the Easter message from Bishop Lionel Gendron, president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops:

It has been a year of shame and humiliation for the Church. The clerical abuse scandals have scarred thousands of victims and mortified the faithful worldwide. They have also spurred appeals for repentance and renewal, appeals that are appropriate at Easter.

Resurrection of the Lord, April 21 (Year C) Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Psalm 118; Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-18

It is said that a picture can say more than a thousand words. That is certainly the case with Eugène Burnand’s stirring and evocative painting of the race to the empty tomb on Easter morning.

Palm leaves and fronds decorate churches everywhere Palm Sunday as Christians prepare for the most solemn time of the liturgical year.

How do we not become violent in an age of violence? How can we find another way when in our world, and even in our Church, violence seems to have made such terrible inroads?

No social media. No alcohol. No sweets. No hot showers. No secular music. 

WASHINGTON – The Catholic Church doesn’t often add new celebrations to its pretty full liturgical calendar, but this year’s new feast day, Mary, Mother of the Church on May 21, has Catholics gearing up to mark the day or at least think a little more about Mary.

Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 6 (Year B) Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48; Psalm 98; 1 John 4:7-10; John 15:9-17

It’s normal to return anger with anger, bitterness with bitterness, cunning with cunning.  

Fifth Sunday of Easter, April 29 (Year B) Acts 9:26-31; Psalm 22; 1 John 3:18-24; John 15:1-8

Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 22 (Year B) Acts 4:7-12; Psalm 118; 1 John 3:1-2; John 10:11-18