The Archdiocese of Detroit invites the faithful to participate in Easter Mass, either in person or via livestream, at 11 a.m. Sunday at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron will be the celebrant.

"As a Church we will celebrate the central reality of our faith: Jesus' resurrection from the dead, and we invite you to join us!" the archdiocese said in a Facebook post this week. "Please join us in person at the Cathedral. The Mass will also be livestreamed for those who are unable to attend in person: fb.me/e/1gotIlj6H" 

The Easter season is the highest of holy seasons on the liturgical calendar. It spans 50 days, from Easter Sunday until Pentecost, a report on the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) website said. 

The word Easter comes from Old English and means "East." The sun rises in the east, lighting the world with warmth and hope, and in the same way the risen Christ is the Light of the world. Used during Easter Vigil Masses, the Paschal Candle symbolizes Christ's light. 

This year Easter Sunday falls on April 17. 

The Gospel reading for this year's Easter Mass comes from the book of John, chapter 20; the USCCB said. 

The passage tells of Mary Magdalene as she returned to the tomb where Jesus had been buried, only to find the stone that had blocked the entrance rolled aside. Mary ran to tell two of Jesus' disciples, who returned to the tomb with her. Simon Peter went inside the tomb and found Jesus' burial cloths. The disciples did not yet understand that Jesus had risen from the dead, in accordance with Scripture.

Easter celebrates Jesus' Resurrection from death, three days after he was crucified; a report on Christianity.com said. The Resurrection not only confirmed that Jesus was the true Son of God, it also granted eternal life in Heaven to those who believe in him. The Resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. Without the Resurrection, there could be no Christianity.