The Diocese of Phoenix celebrated the start of the Easter season on Sunday.

“Alleluia, Christ is risen! Indeed, He is Risen! Today we rejoice in the victory of the Risen Lord,” the diocese posted online. “Wishing you and your families a very happy and blessed Easter!” 

The Easter season is the most important season of the liturgical calendar, spanning 50 days from Easter Sunday until Pentecost, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The word Easter is derived from Old English and means "East." Just as the sun rises in the east and lights the world with warmth and hope, the risen Christ is the Light of the world. 

Fifty days after Jesus' resurrection, and around 10 days after his ascension into heaven, Jesus' followers were gathered inside of a room, according to Christianity.com.  Suddenly there was a sound, as if a gust of wind had rushed into the room, and tongues of fire appeared over the heads of Jesus' followers. The Holy Spirit filled them, and they began to speak in tongues. A crowd gathered around them, and everyone in the crowd could hear Jesus' followers speaking in his native language. Peter began to preach to the crowd about Jesus, and that day, 3,000 people converted. 

The Ascension of the Lord will be celebrated this year on May 29, the USCCB says. The Gospel reading that day describes Jesus leading his disciples outside of Jerusalem. He blessed them, and then "he parted from them and was taken up to heaven." His disciples returned to the city and spent their time praising God in the temple.