The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist was filled with worshipers for Easter Mass on April 20.
The joyful liturgy was filled with music and prayer as the assembly celebrated Jesus’ triumph over death and his Resurrection.
Bishop Edward Malesic, who celebrated the 11 a.m. livestreamed Mass, told the congregation that five people were baptized at the Easter Vigil the previous night and another six – who had been baptized previously – came into full communion with the Church. All 11 received the sacrament of confirmation and made their first Communion, also.
(See photo gallery above.)
He noted that at least 420 adults who had participated in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, known as OCIA, were baptized at parishes throughout the eight-county Diocese of Cleveland during the April 19 Easter Vigil. “That is good news,” he said, adding that we all rejoice with them and look forward to life everlasting.
“Jesus put death to death and breathed new life into the world,” he said. “We are not here to worship a dead man. God is alive. We’ve encountered the living Christ. He was dead and now he is alive.”
The bishop said Jesus is present to us in the bread and wine during Mass. He also told the faithful that death is not a sign of despair, but rather a sign of hope because we look forward to eternal life in heaven with the risen Jesus.
After Mass, the bishop chatted with the faithful and posed for photos both inside and outside of the cathedral.
Watch the Easter Mass on demand here.