Easter Sunday Sermon, April 16 -- The Paschal Candle and Easter Meditation (Father Ryan Erlenbush, Corpus Christi Parish)

The meaning of the Paschal Candle: The candle represents Jesus, first in his passion (the Cross is marked on the candle), and in his burial (the five grains of incense recall the perfumed oil used to anoint his five wounds). The unlit candle represents Christ Crucified, who by his death is Lord of all time (hence the numbers of the year, and the "alpha" and "omega"). When the candle is lit, this represents Jesus' resurrection! His light illumines our hearts by the ministry of his priests, and we all then give light to the whole world.


Easter is longer than Lent, and is a season of many graces! We can be open to these by practicing daily mental prayer, meditation on the mysteries of salvation -- hopefully, for at least 10 minutes a day.

Holy Thursday and Good Friday Sermons (Father Ryan Erlenbush, Corpus Christi Parish)

Jesus' presence and consoling Jesus on the Cross.

Palm Sunday Sermon, April 9 -- The Act of Contrition (Father Ryan Erlenbush, Corpus Christi Parish)

Making a perfect act of contrition, in consideration of the love of Jesus for me made manifest on the Cross.

Daily Sermons, April 4-22 (Corpus Christi Parish, Father Ryan Erlenbush)

Sermons from daily Masses for the final weeks of Lent and Easter week.

Sunday Sermon, April 2 -- The Raising of Lazarus and Confession (Father Ryan Erlenbush, Corpus Christi Parish)

[pre-sermon note on why we veil the cross and other images during the final two weeks of Lent (passiontide)]


Lent is a time of preparation for the renewal of our baptism at Easter. We renew our baptism by confession, especially in preparation for Divine Mercy Sunday. Consider this week's Gospel in relation to the sacrament of Confession.

"Master, the one whom you love is ill." When we prepare for confession, we recognize that Jesus loves us so much! and that we truly are ill and in need of healing.

"And Jesus wept." When we confess we must be truly sorry for our sins.

"Show me where you laid him." We then confess our serious sins according to name and number, and our venial sins we confess as is most helpful to us.

"Untie the burial bands." Even after being forgiven, the stench of sin is around us. However, penance helps to free us from the bonds of sin!

Daily Sermons, March 30 - April 1 (Father Ryan Erlenbush, Corpus Christi Parish)

Daily Sermons.

Scripture, Stations, Passiontide.