An invitation to believers, "still replete with spiritual joy" for the solemn Easter celebrations, "not to be afraid to be the messengers of the annunciation" of the Resurrection of Christ, was given yesterday morning, Easter Monday, by Benedict XVI before saying the Regina Caeli (which replaces the Angelus throughout Easter) from Castel Gandolfo, where he moved Sunday afternoon for a short period of rest. To "such a great mystery" as Resurrection, specified the Pope, "the liturgy devotes not just one day but as many as fifty days, that is, the whole Easter period, which is ended by Whit Sunday. Then Easter Sunday is an entirely special day that covers all this week until next Sunday and forms the Easter Octave". In recalling the day’s liturgy, the Holy Father mentioned the invitation made by Jesus to Mary Magdalene and to the other Mary who had gone to the sepulchre to "visit" His tomb, to announce their encounter with Him Resurrected. "To us as well, as to these women who had stayed on His side during the Passion commented the Pope , the Resurrected repeats that we must not be afraid of being the messengers of the annunciation of His Resurrection. Those who encounter Jesus Resurrected and meekly entrust themselves to Him have nothing to fear". (continued)
