Easter Message 2023

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On this Easter we peer into the tomb with bewilderment: it is empty! Death no longer has victory over us, rather the Resurrection of Jesus Christ has triumphed and defeated death! This is our central hope and belief as Christians and why Easter is the holiest holiday for Christians around the world.  

After reflecting upon our sins throughout this Lenten season, we now reflect upon the mercy and love of God the Father, who wishes for nothing more than for us to walk out of the darkness of our sins, our fears, our anxieties, and to walk with Him each and every day in the joy and peace of His everlasting light. 

The Church is your beacon of light in these continuously trying times for Christians throughout the world. According to various research studies, Christianity is currently the most persecuted religion in the world. It is becoming more and more difficult to follow Jesus Christ and His Catholic Church, especially in a world that is viewing Christianity in an ever increasing hostile manner, and that includes right here in our very Diocese as well.

Remain strong in Christ and stay close to your Mother, the Church, my brothers and sisters, and She will guide you and your families, just as She has done in the past 2,000 years, to Christ. This is how we find Jesus in these dark and difficult times: by gathering and praying together as a community of believers in the Chaldean Church that is dedicated to being your home and that guiding light that will lead you to that victory over darkness and death.  

Your Church is working tirelessly to bring you and your families Jesus. This Easter join me in giving thanks to almighty God for the many blessings that He has bestowed upon the Diocese with various new and exciting projects and initiatives that will work to better serve your families: the first Chaldean Catholic preschool outside of the Middle East; the blessing of Mar Eliya Retreat Center this past October; and the campaign to renovate Our Lady of the Fields Camp to host more programs to bring Jesus to today’s youth and future generations to come. 

The Church is on fire with the Holy Spirit and has no intention on slowing down anytime soon. This is your home; your community, my brothers and sisters. The Church is where we will find the peace, joy, mercy, and love of God. We will always preach the Good News of the Resurrected Jesus, no matter the circumstance. 

Your Faithful Servant and Shepherd,

† Mar Francis Y. Kalabat
Bishop of the Chaldean Diocese
of St. Thomas the Apostle