Bishop Solis's Easter Message 2021

Intermountain Catholic

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My dear brothers and sisters, 

“Christ is risen!”

This Easter proclamation of our faith is so full of significance during these difficult times. It is a special message of hope amidst the pain, sadness, difficulties and uncertainties we have been through during the pandemic. It awakens our bruised, tired and battered bodies and spirits to welcome a new day in our life and to put our trust in the Lord.  

This is a great moment amidst global fear to proclaim the Good News that Jesus Christ is risen. Our Lord made the darkness of death a moment of grace for the world. His coming back to life assures us of the triumph of goodness over evil, that love has overcome hate, and that life is stronger than death. He has chosen these occasions to reveal God’s glory, to remind us that we are not alone and to draw us closer to him.  

Easter reminds us that hope has always been with us because God has never abandoned us. He delivers us from the darkness to rediscover a ray of light from the risen Christ to dispel the darkness of illness, death and suffering that we have experienced for a year now.  

Saint John Paul II said, “We are an Easter people and Alleluia is our song.” This is what we are called to proclaim and to live as Christians. Let us open our hearts to recognize God’s blessings and to proclaim the glorious truth of our faith: Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ is alive! Let us all come out of the shadow of suffering and death, walk in the light of Christ and embrace the newness of Easter life with joyful and grateful hearts.

Furthermore, thanks to all my brother priests, deacons, religious and the people of God for giving me the opportunity and the honor to be your servant and shepherd. Your generous support has been a tremendous blessing for our diocese. I also welcome those newly baptized and confirmed in our Catholic faith as full members of our Church. Rest assured of my prayers for your continued growth in the faith.   

Finally, I encourage you to witness the love of God in the risen Christ, in our personal lives, in our families, communities and in the world. Let us welcome the dawn of a new day, come back to Christ and to the Church to give thanks, rejoice and celebrate God’s blessings of peace and joy.

A Blessed and Joyful Easter!   

The Most Rev. Oscar A. Solis

Bishop of Salt Lake City