CONTENTS

APRIL 2012

4-6 Cover story The bees are back! Fr Dwight Longenecker says that this Easter the Exsultet will once again sing the praises of the stripy insect as the new translation restores them to their rightful place

8-9 Reflection Seminarian David Howell says that Jesus performed the most puzzling action immediately after he rose from the dead

10-14 Meditation Sister Janet Fearns FMDM Says that delivering a baby in desperate circumstances in Africa taught her that our lives are full of little Easters that point us to the Resurrection 15 Music Michael White argues that no composer in history has had a more profound insight into Christ’s suffering than Bach. He may have written four Passions, but the two that survive move even those who never set foot in church

16 Cookery Fr Tim Gardner OP says that the bee is an emblem of Christ because of the sweetness of the honey it produces. Easter is the perfect time to savour this delicious golden gloop

‘Easter does not need to be a big event: life is filled with mini-Easters, each with its own Exsultet’ - SISTER JANET FEARNS

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17-18 End piece An anonymous hermit explains why she is leaving behind the comforts of dry land to celebrate Easter in the confines of a bobbing narrow-boat

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Guide to Easter The calendar

Sunday, April 24:

Easter Sunday Monday, April 25:

Easter Monday Tuesday, April 26:

Easter Tuesday Wednesday, April 27:

Easter Wednesday Thursday, April 28:

Easter Thursday Friday, April 29:

Easter Friday Saturday, April 30:

Easter Saturday Sunday, May 1: Second Sunday of Easter

Monday, May 2: St George, Martyr, Patron of England; St Athanasius, Bishop, Doctor of the

Church Tuesday, May 3: Ss Philip and James, Apostles

Wednesday, May 4: The English Martyrs (in England)

(weekday of Easter in Wales)

Thursday, May 5: Weekday of Easter or St Asaph, Bishop (in Wales)

Friday, May 6: Weekday of Easter Saturday, May 7: Weekday of Easter Sunday, May 8: Third Sunday of Easter

Monday, May 9: Weekday of Easter Tuesday, May 10: Weekday of Easter Wednesday, May 11: Weekday of Easter Thursday, May 12: Weekday of Easter or Ss Nereus and Achilleus, Martyrs;

St Pancras, Martyr Friday, May 13: Weekday of Easter or Our Lady of Fatima Saturday, May 14: St Matthias, Apostle

Sunday, May 15: Fourth Sunday of Easter

COVER PHOTO: CHRIST SALVATOR MUNDI BY FLEMISH ARTIST QUENTIN METSYS (CNS)

April 2012 Easter THE CATHOLIC HERALD 3