I have heard the term “Paschal Mystery.” What does that mean?

I have heard the term “Paschal Mystery.”
What does that mean?
 
 
You may not realize it, but every time at Mass when you recite the Nicene Creed, you acknowledge the paschal     mystery of our salvation. There are three parts to the paschal mystery:
 
· Jesus’ passion and death;
· His resurrection;
· His ascension into heaven.
 
In the Nicene Creed we pray:
 
“For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he     suffered death and was buried.” (Jesus’ Passion and death)
 
“[He] rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. (His resurrection)
 
“He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.” (His ascension into heaven)
 
Because there are three distinct parts to this paschal mystery, the church gives us a lot of time to experience it, to “bask in the moment,” you might say—about 50 days from the beginning of the passion until the celebration of the Ascension of our Lord into heaven. During this time, the Lord prepared his followers, and now prepares us, to share in this mystery by proclaiming it, sharing it, and celebrating it.

—Deacon George Hooper; ghooper@icc-msh.org