The Practice of Easter Joy: 50 Days of Feasting – A Virtual Timeout

The Practice of Easter Joy: 50 Days of Feasting. A Virtual Timeout Laura Kelly Fanucci author, retreat facilitator, and founder of Mothering Spirit.

The Practice of Easter Joy: 50 Days of Feasting

Saint John Paul II said, “We are an Easter people, and Alleluia is our song!” So how do we actually live out the full 50 days of Easter, especially in a world that makes it hard to rejoice? Join us for a time of prayer, reflection, and creative ideas to keep celebrating the joy and hope of the Resurrection all season long.

This virtual retreat was led by author, speaker, founder of Mothering Spirit, and friend of C21, Laura Kelly Fanucci.

Retreat Resources

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The Practice of Easter Joy: 50 Days of Feasting. A Virtual Timeout Laura Kelly Fanucci author, retreat facilitator, and founder of Mothering Spirit. The Church in the 21st Century Center

Opening Prayer:

from Pope Leo XIV’s Homily on Easter Sunday

 

Closing prayer:

from Pope Benedict XVI's Easter message (Urbi et Orbi)

 

“We are an Easter people, and Alleluia is our song!” Pope John Paul II’s Angelus in Nov. 1986

 

Questions for personal reflection

  • PRAYER: Think back on your Lenten observance. Do you want to continue any part of your Lenten prayer practice—or start something that you wanted to try but didn’t? How might God be calling you to deepen your prayer in Easter? 
    • FEASTING: Where in your life are you feeling hungry for feasting? For beauty, for hope, for joy, for community, for peace, etc.? Think of one way you could try to feast on God’s goodness this Easter.
      • GIVING/RECEIVING JOY: What’s one small way you could share joy with others in this season? What’s one area of your life where you want to receive God’s grace?

       

      Questions for discussion

      1. What is one practice—of prayer, feasting, or giving/receiving joy—that you might like to try for the Easter season?
      2. What’s one insight on Easter that you’re taking away from today’s session?

       

      From Laura’s resources

      Meet our retreat facilitator

      Laura Kelly Fanucci - Retreat Facilitator

      Laura Kelly Fanucci - Retreat Facilitator

      Laura Kelly Fanucci is an award-winning author, a monthly columnist for OSV News Service, a devotional writer for (in)courage and Give Us This Day, and a regular contributor to publications including America Magazine and U.S. Catholic. She has authored many books including Everyday Sacrament: The Messy Grace of Parenting and Grieving Together: A Couple's Journey through Miscarriage. Her latest book on Easter is forthcoming from Ave Maria Press in 2026.

      Her work has been featured on the Hallow and Ritual apps, and in popular outlets including NPR’s Morning Edition, On Being, and the Kelly Clarkson Show. She writes two best-selling Substacks: The Holy Labor with essays on spirituality and The Compassion Brigade with humorous reflections on surviving cancer. Laura also writes regularly on Instagram at @thismessygrace. She and her husband live in Minnesota with their children.

      To learn more about Laura, visit: laurakellyfanucci.com. 

        

       

         

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