Easter Monday

from The Easter Book  (1954)

edited by Robert Frankenberg

[page 196, chapter on Easter Season]

Easter Monday was

in Medieval times

a day of rest, relaxation,

and special festivities.

First is the "Emmaus Walk,"

a custom inspired by the

Gospel of Luke, chapter 24.

Families and groups of

friends go on outings or

long walks into the fields,

forests, and mountains,

hold picnics and spend the

afternoon playing games,

dancing, and singing.  In

Germany and Austria long

ago, youngsters would gather 

in large meadows to play

Easter games and Easter

sports (Osterspiele) and

also to perform ancient

folk dances accompanied

by the music of guitars and

mandolins.  The piece of land

on which these Easter games

took place bore the name 

"Easter field" (Osteranger)

and many cities still have lots

so called, although the custom

has long since vanished.  In

the rural regions, however,

such ancient traditions have

survived and are practiced 

every year.

(page 200). . .Friday of 

Easter Week is a favorite day

for devout pilgrimages (Osterwallfahrt)

in many parts of Europe.  Praying

and singing hymns, the faithful

walk many hours through fields

and forests, preceded by a cross

and many church banners. . .At

one such processions in the 

Austrian Tyrol, people walk

10 hours each way.