Buona Pasqua – Happy Easter
Easter time in Italy is known as il Periodo Pasquale and is still firmly rooted in religious traditions. The following are a few practical expressions that are good to know this time of year.
Important Days of Lent:
Domenica delle Palme Palm Sunday
Giovedì Santo Holy Thursday
Venerdì Santo Good Friday
Sabato Santo Holy Saturday or Vigil of Easter
Pasqua Easter Sunday
Pasquetta Easter Monday or Little Easter
Pentecoste Pentecost
Words Associated with Easter:
La processione Procession
La ceremonia Ceremony
La Santa Messa Mass
Falò Bonfire
La Passione The Passion
La croce Cross
Il Cenacolo or The Last Supper
L’Ultima Cena
Il discepolo Disciple
Ponzio Pilato Pontius Pilate
As always, food takes center stage in any Italian celebration and Easter is no exception. Chocolate at this time of year is almost always in the shape of an egg followed by chocolate crosses. Breads made during Easter are beyond the imagination with almost every region boasting one or two specialties. The one bread that is common to the entire country is the traditional columba, a sweet bread shaped like a dove. Here are some vocabulary words for Easter foods.
Il pane Bread
L’agnello Lamb
La cioccolata Chocolate
L’uovo Egg
