The Sunday of so many, many names:
Second Sunday of Easter. Since the reforms of the 1960’s, this is the common name in all the liturgical texts such as the Sacramentary, Lectionary, etc.
Octave of Easter. Once the Church had many octaves throughout the year. The Octave of Easter can refer to either the eighth day or all eight days of the Feast of Easter which ends today.
In the Eastern Churches, this is known as Thomas Sunday as the gospel is always taken from John 20 and the story of doubting Thomas which occurred one week after the day of the Resurrection.
Low Sunday. This name was more common in English speaking countries and remains in use by some Anglo-Catholics. It’s origin is unknown but it likely refers to this being the lesser of the two Sundays within the Octave of Easter.
Dominica in albis depositis. This is the ancient proper name of this Sunday and refers to the removing of the white robes donned by Catechumens on Holy Saturday and worn through the Octave until the evening of this Sunday. More.
Pascha clausum. This is another ancient term referring to the closing of the Octave of Easter.
White Sunday/Whitsunday. This term is ambiguous as it may also refer to Pentecost Sunday.
Quasimodo Sunday. This name comes from the first two words of the ancient introit, “Quasi modo geniti infantes, rationabile, sine dolo lac concupiscite ut in eo crescatis in salutem si gustastis quoniam dulcis Dominus,” which comes from 1 Peter 2:2,3 and roughly translates: “As newborn babes, desire the rational milk without guile, that thereby you may grow unto salvation: for you have tasted that the Lord is sweet.” The character Quasimodo in the Hunchback of Notre Dame is named for this Sunday when he was found on the Church doorstep. More.
And now since the year 2000, it is known in the Latin Church as Divine Mercy Sunday.
David Bennett
Jennifer
asimplesinner
Fr. J.
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Jorge Flores
Jonathan B
carmelbennett
nicenehobbit
Jason S
jaybird68
papaz
April 3, 2008 at 10:09 pm
I had a professor who suggested the Sunday after Easter was called “Low Sunday” because attendance was low (or at least low compared to Easter Sunday). Today it would certainly hold true, and I can’t help but wonder if there is some truth to it.