For many of us, this winter has been one of the harshest in years, with below-average temperatures and often terrible weather conditions. I think we will all welcome the arrival of spring, especially as we celebrate Easter this month – the greatest feast of our Church and a season that embodies hope.
As I look around Graymoor, I see new life stirring. The spring flowers are praising God with their splendor and beauty, and hope seems to be everywhere as life breaks through the cold of winter. During the glorious Feast of Easter, many will flock to Graymoor for the Easter Vigil. A new spark will light the Paschal candle, fresh holy water will be blessed, and new hosts will be consecrated. We begin again, making all things new.
If I had to choose one thing the Friars are best known for, it would be this: helping to make all things new and sharing the gifts of hope and Christian unity—especially when it comes to healing brokenness in humanity.
If I had to pick a single word to describe Christianity, it would be resurrection. Without the resurrection, there would be no Christian Church. It’s the resurrection that transformed despaired disciples into joyful, courageous witnesses of the Gospel.
At Jesus’ command, the disciples spread the message of Easter and the Gospel to every corner of the Earth. As they did, the power of Easter began to take hold. Despair gave way to hope, darkness to light, hatred to love, and sadness to joy. Wherever the disciples went, the resurrection worked its transformative power in people’s lives.
No matter the season, our identity as Christians is rooted in the resurrection of Christ. From that first Easter to the end of time, it remains our enduring hope and encouragement.
This Easter season, we also commemorate a special milestone for the Atonement community. April marks the anniversary of the birth and death of our co-foundress, Mother Lurana White. She was born on April 12, 1870, and entered into eternal life on April 15, 1935.
Mother Lurana’s journey to Graymoor began on December 15, 1898. She traveled by train to Newburgh, then by ferry across the Hudson River to Beacon, followed by more rail travel to Garrison. From there, she completed her journey by horse and sleigh to Graymoor, where she made the first foundation of the Sisters of the Atonement in a small, rented home.
It was evening when she arrived, and the chill of winter and snow filled the air. Her first night was lonely, but her heart burned with the fire of great faith. All that mattered was that the Society of the Atonement, for which she and Fr. Paul Wattson had prayed and worked so long, was finally a reality. And that dream lives on.
Happy Easter, and may this season of joy and hope bring you abundant blessings.
I first went to Graymoor as a divorced Catholic in 1975. Now as a widow of two years I am finding the same peace and spiritual guidance I need on my life’s journey.i feel the joy of Easter every week as I read the wonderful homily’s of Fr. Bob and how he speaks and lives the gospel. I thank God for this gift in my life.