Bishop Louis Tylka pours holy water over John Marchetti of St. John Paul II Catholic Newman Center in Normal as he baptizes him at the Easter Vigil at St. Mary's Cathedral on April 8. Marchetti would take John the Baptist as his confirmation name a few minutes later. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

Easter l April 9, 2023

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We celebrate with great joy the good news of Christ’s resurrection. Our Easter joy comes from the witnessing to us and through us that Jesus has conquered death and lives anew. As St. Peter testified: “They put him to death by hanging him on a tree. This man God raised on the third day and granted that he be visible. . .” (Acts 10:39-40)

Bishop Louis Tylka lights the newly blessed Paschal Candle, held by Deacon Ignacio Cárdenas Morán. with a flame from the new fire outside St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria as the Easter Vigil begins April 8. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

In so many ways, we are blessed to see Christ made visible. In encounters of love, of mercy, of kindness — in all of them, we are experiencing Christ made visible in our lives. And Christ is certainly made visible to us as the Church gathers in prayer — “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20), and most especially in the Eucharist — “This is my Body. . . . This cup is the new covenant in my blood” (Luke 22:19-20). To make Christ visible is the mission of disciples and it is the greatest joy we can experience. The first disciples, in the early Church, learned this as they encountered the Risen Jesus, and then by the grace of the Holy Spirit went forth to share with the world the new life Jesus gives. Their great mission has accompanied believers to this day, and we take up the mission in our own time and place. It certainly is a tremendous blessing as I travel across our diocese to see how Christ is being made visible in our parishes, our schools, our health care ministry, our service to the poor, and our love for our communities. There should be no doubt in anyone’s heart that Christ is alive! Christ is visible!

As we celebrate Easter, may the Risen Christ bless you and your loved ones. May we hold each other close to our heart in our daily prayer. Together, like the first witnesses of the Resurrection, may we accompany each other singing God’s praises and sharing the presence of the Savior. Make Jesus visible by who you are!

Alleluia!

Easter Blessings,

+Most Reverend Louis Tylka

BISHOP OF PEORIA