Easter -- Pagan roots?

[Rhonda_in_GA]

I’m being told that Easter is the name of a pagan God and that we go against God’s word by 1/using this word and 2/celebrating this Feast Day.

Can you help with an explanation? Thanks in advance.

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Dear R,

Actually it does seem to have been the name of a pagan goddess. The Original Catholic Encyclopedia has more:

• Easter
  Whatever it origins, the word “Easter” has a Christian meaning now and that’s what matters. Through the centuries many words have been Christianized. Words only have the meaning we give to them. There is nothing intrinsic to the word “Easter” that could be offensive to God.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.