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Who saw the risen Christ first?

Many saints have spoken about the identity of the first witness of the Resurrection.

In the scriptural accounts of the Resurrection, the story always begins with someone searching for Jesus at the empty tomb after His departure from it. The Gospels don’t tell us where Christ was at that point—nor do they definitively say who saw Him first.

But one saint-supported theory offers an answer to the latter question. According to Pope St. John Paul II, St. Vincent Ferrer, St. Ignatius of Loyola and others, the first witness of Jesus’ Resurrection was His beloved Mother Mary.

Mary was the one who had been most united with Our Lord in His suffering and death. She was the one who was waiting for Him with the greatest hope and expectation—the one who, notably, never went to an empty tomb searching for Him because she knew He wasn’t there.

Our Lady’s faith in her Son’s Resurrection never failed. She did not go looking for the living among the dead. She simply waited, prayerfully keeping vigil throughout the time when Our Lord was hidden in the earth. She knew that He would come.

Our Lady waited faithfully for the Resurrection. La Dolorosa by Cristóbal de Villalpando (Museo Soumaya/ProtoplasmaKid, CC BY-SA 4.0)

One can imagine the tender joy they experienced upon seeing one another again, after the sufferings they had both endured for our sake. A spear had pierced His Heart and a sword had pierced hers, but now, sin and death were overcome! The night was over and the glorious dawn was here at last.

To see the face of God—how beautiful the reward of those who are faithful, who bear their crosses with love, who wait for the Lord with a hopeful and steadfast spirit!

As we continue to rejoice in Easter and reflect on the faith, hope, and love of Our Blessed Mother, our thoughts turn to our own mothers, whom we celebrate on the fourth Sunday of Easter—Mother’s Day! That’s not too far away, but don’t worry—we have a wide selection of faith-filled gifts she will love. Our St. Anne Mother’s Rosary Bracelet is a favorite of our customers. Created to celebrate motherhood, this lovely bracelet is composed of stunning blue agate beads, Swarovski crystal, and a silver St. Anne charm and crucifix. Order one for a special mother in your life today!

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