LET CATHOLICS IN THE DIOCESE OF CAMDEN MARK THEIR FRONT DOORS IN CELEBRATION OF THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST
This project is being sent to Catholic School children and children in our Parish Religious Education Programs, but we encourage all Catholics in the Diocese of Camden to complete this project and the prayers that accompany it.
Part I: Read Exodus 12:1-20 http://usccb.org/bible/exodus/12 and discuss the mandate given to the Jewish people in regard to the Passover.
- Why would the month of Passover be considered the first month of the year??? Did you know that for much of history, the beginning of the year was celebrated in Spring??? Why might that be??? Even in the United States, the inauguration of the President was celebrated in March until the ratification of what amendment and in what year???
- What did Moses tell the people to do with blood of the Passover lambs??? Can you point out those places on your front door???
- What day of the month is Passover (the month is called Nissan)??? This month on the Jewish calendar falls in late March or early April according to our calendar. What happened during the night??? Why is it called Passover???
- For Christians, who is the Passover Lamb??? Why??? How does the celebration of the Jewish Passover relate to our celebration of Easter???
Part II: Use the front door of your home to proclaim your faith in the Passover of Jesus Christ – His Resurrection was his Passover from death to life and instead of bringing death to the first born of Egypt, he brings new life to all who believe in him. The great word proclaiming this celebration is ALLELUIA! Let all who pass your home see that word.
- Your front door is likely 36” by 80” – your might want to measure it to make sure.
- One of two suggestions is made for creating an ALLELUIA BANNER for your front door.
To make a centered banner for your door. If you don’t have a front door knocker or other item obstructing the center of your door – you may want to make a wide banner that runs the length of your door and two-thirds the width of the door (what are those calculations – remember to measure the length in inches plus 2 extra inches for the top and 2 extra inches for the bottom so that the banner can be wrapped over and under the door and taped…and then measure the width. Take the width measurement in inches, multiply it by two and then divide that number by three – this will give you the width of your banner – be sure to show your equation).
- A roll of wrapping paper can be used to create your banner if the reverse side is blank or if the colored side allows you to be creative in decorating it. Or you may use construction paper or computer paper – you’ll just have to tape them together. Fabric is another alternative but ask Mom and Dad before you cut up one of their bed sheets.
- Cut the wrapping paper to the proper size and simply draw the word Alleluia (8 letters on a banner 80” long means that your letters can be no bigger than how many inches???).
- Decorate your banner by letting your imagination go wild.
To make two banners because something blocks the middle of your door. If you have a door knocker or other item obstructing the center of your door – you may want to make two banners that run the length of your door. The width of the banners should each be about one-third of the width of the door (what are those calculations – remember to measure the length in inches plus 2 extra inches for the top and 2 extra inches for the bottom so that the banner can be wrapped over and under the door and taped…and then measure the width. Take the width measurement in inches, multiply it by one and then divide that number by three – this will give you the width of your banner – be sure to show your equation).
- A roll of wrapping paper can be used to create your banner if the reverse side is blank or if the colored side allows you to be creative in decorating it. Or you may use construction paper or computer paper – you’ll just have to tape them together. Fabric is another alternative but ask Mom and Dad before you cut up one of their bed sheets.
- Cut the wrapping paper to the proper size and simply draw the word Alleluia (8 letters on a banner 80” long means that your letters can be no bigger than how many inches???).
- Decorate your banners by letting your imagination go wild.
Part III: On Holy Saturday afternoon or evening hang your banner or banners on the front door of your house and say the following prayer:
Leader: Let us praise God, who fills our hearts and homes with peace. Blessed be God forever. Alleluia! Alleluia!
All: Blessed be God forever. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Leader: The Word became flesh and made his dwelling place among us. It is Christ, risen from the dead, who is our source of hope, joy, and comfort. May all who enter this home find Christ’s light and love. Alleluia! Alleluia!
All: He is Risen! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Leader: Lord, on this holy night,
we rejoice in the victory of your Son over death:
by rising from the tomb to new life
he gives us new hope and promise.
Bless all the members of this household
and surround them with your protection,
that they may find comfort and peace in Jesus Christ,
the Paschal Lamb, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
All: Amen.
Part IV: Take a picture of your front door with the Alleluia banner or banners and post it on social media to wish everyone a Blessed Easter. Send your picture to Bishop Sullivan via the diocesan social media platforms
- https://www.facebook.com/DioceseOfCamden/
- https://twitter.com/camdendiocese
- https://www.instagram.com/camdendiocese/
Part V: Did you know that Easter is celebrated for EIGHT STRAIGHT days. Each night beginning on Holy Saturday, after the sun goes down, light a candle in the front window of your house and pray the following prayer together:
Leader: The Lord be with you.
All: And with your spirit.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up to the Lord.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It I s right and just.
Leader: It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,
at all times to acclaim you, O Lord,
but on this day to laud you yet more gloriously
when Christ our Passover has been sacrificed.
For he is the true Lamb who has taken away the sins of the world;
by dying, he has destroyed our death, and by rising restored our life. Therefore, overcome with paschal joy, every land,
every people exults in your praise as we pray:
All: Our Father…
Leader: O God, who on this day,
through your Only Begotten Son,
have conquered death and unlocked for us the path to eternity,
grant, we pray,
that we who keep the solemnity of the Lord’s Resurrection may,
through the renewal brought by your Spirit,
rise up in the light of life.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
Leader: Queen of heaven, rejoice,
All: Alleluia.
Leader: The Son you merited to bear,
All: Alleluia.
Leader: Has risen as he said,
All: Alleluia.
Leader: Pray to God for us,
All: Alleluia! Alleluia!
The family may wish to pray the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary during Easter Week or every day of the Octave of Easter. How to say the Rosary and the Glorious Mysteries may be found at: https://www.rosarycenter.org/homepage-2/rosary/how-to-pray-the-rosary/glorious-without-distractions/