It seems almost providential that as I key my first pastoral letter as bishop, that I greet you with the Easter Proclamation.

The fundamental truth of our faith. It is known by many as the Easter Greeting or as of old, the Paschal Greeting. It cuts to the chase of our identity as Christians and points to the hope we hold in one day sharing in the fullness of Christ’s resurrection.

Easter Message 2025 Official PDF

It is taken from Luke 24:34. The story of Cleopas and an un-named disciple of Jesus, who spent the first Easter Sunday with a stranger (the Risen Jesus) while on their way to a town called Emmaus (a pilgrimage of sorts). You are familiar with the story. It is only after the stranger breaks the bread during their meal, that the two disciples recognize their new acquaintance as Jesus. Jesus vanishes and the two disciples hurry back to find the other disciples when one of the others proclaims, “The Lord is risen”, and has appeared to Simon!” You can well imagine the joy and enthusiasm shared by Jesus’ closest friends and followers.

Like the disciples who were grieving the death of their Lord and savior, not knowing what to do next and fear for their future, we know grief and loss and uncertainty and fear. And yet, this Easter greeting helps us to put everything into perspective as we hold firm to the hope expressed in the greeting itself. Everything we hope for is summed up in the joyful exclamation and confirmed in its response, “He is risen indeed.”

Although we use the Easter Greeting most freely during the easter season, it is not restricted to it. I would trust that we share it often and with the same joy and enthusiasm expressed by the disciples. That it speaks boldly as to who we are as pilgrims of hope.

May the Risen Lord fill you with hope and joy!

+ Bishop Alan Campeau