Anne DeSantis
The season of Lent has passed, and we now rejoice in the radiant joy of Easter — a time when we celebrate the victory of Christ over sin and death. Yet Easter is not simply a day or even a season; it is a way of life.
The resurrection is meant to transform how we live, how we pray, and how we encounter others. As Pope Leo XIV reminds us, “The Risen Christ does not simply console us — He sends us forth to be witnesses of hope in a divided world.”
This mission begins first and foremost in prayer. Without prayer our efforts remain purely human, but with prayer they are infused with grace. The disciplines we embraced during Lent—prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—are not meant to disappear. Rather, they are meant to deepen, forming us into disciples who live the joy of Easter every day.
Carrying Lent Into Easter
During Lent, many of us made sacrifices or adopted new spiritual practices. Easter invites us to reflect on what we can continue. Perhaps it is daily prayer, more intentional acts of charity, or greater patience with others.
Growth in holiness is not meant to be temporary or seasonal. When we carry forward even one or two meaningful practices, we continue walking with Christ in a lasting and transformative way.
In this sense, Easter becomes not just a celebration of what Christ has done, but a participation in what He continues to do in and through us.
A Church That Invites
The resurrection is also an invitation into deeper communion with God and with one another. This spirit of invitation is something we are called to embody in our daily lives and in the life of the Church. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is actively working to foster this spirit through initiatives such as TrustandHope.org, encouraging the faithful to become a more welcoming and missionary people.
One of the simplest yet most powerful ways to live this out is through the virtue of affability. Rooted in the teaching of St. Thomas Aquinas, affability is a form of justice by which we relate to others with kindness, openness, and warmth. It is more than politeness; it is a sincere attentiveness to the dignity of each person. In a world often marked by division and isolation, this virtue becomes a quiet but powerful force for evangelization.
Affability in Ministry and Daily Life
This call to affability extends to everyone, but in a particular way to those serving within the Church—priests, religious, and lay ministers. The way we encounter others can either open hearts or unintentionally close them. The words of Pope Francis that “Clericalism is a sin” remain a strong and needed reminder.
When ministry becomes distant, rigid, or self-focused, it can create barriers instead of bridges. The antidote is true communion—a spirit marked by humility, approachability, and genuine care.
Affability fosters this communion by making the Church not only a place of truth but also a place of welcome, healing, and belonging. It reminds us that evangelization often begins not with words but with authentic human connection.
Reconciliation: The Heart of Easter
Easter calls us into the deeper work of reconciliation. Because Christ has conquered sin and death, we are invited into restored relationships—with God and with one another. This includes even those relationships that are difficult, strained, or broken.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, “Reconciliation with the Church is inseparable from reconciliation with God” (CCC 1445). This truth challenges us to examine our own hearts. Are there people we need to forgive? Are there relationships we have avoided or written off? The path to true communion often requires courage, humility, and grace.
Jesus makes this call unmistakably clear in the Gospel: “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). Our response to others, especially the marginalized, the overlooked, and even those we struggle with, becomes a measure of our love for Christ Himself.
Witnesses of Hope in a Divided World
Living the resurrection means embracing daily opportunities for grace. It is found in listening to someone who needs to be heard, offering encouragement, forgiving an old hurt, or simply being present with kindness and joy.
The saints—such as St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, St. Carlo Acutis, and St. Teresa of Calcutta—demonstrate that holiness is approachable and deeply human. Their lives show us that the Gospel is often proclaimed most powerfully through small, faithful acts of love.
As we move forward in this Easter season, let us embrace the call to communion and reconciliation with renewed hearts. Let us be people of prayer, grounded in Christ and open to the Holy Spirit. Let us become more affable, more welcoming, and more willing to encounter others with the love of Christ.
In doing so, we become living witnesses of the resurrection, bringing hope, healing, and joy to a world that longs for it. Easter is not over. It is just beginning.
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Dr. Anne DeSantis is a national Catholic speaker and author who attends St. Mary Parish in Schwenksville. She is the executive director of the St. Raymond Nonnatus Foundation for Freedom, Family, and Faith, a nonprofit dedicated to offering pastoral support and accompaniment to individuals and families in crisis. To learn more, visit AnneDeSantis.com.
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