The Liturgical Year

The calendar can be separated into four seasons that have special days set aside for celebrating. These celebrations are special times for remembering what is important in our lives. These events help us connect with people and recall significant memories. Purpose of the liturgical calendar

Celebrations help us remember what’s important and what we believe in. Ex: Birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, etc.

Celebrations also have an important place in our spiritual life. They bring us a renewed sense of who we are as God’s people.

Through the liturgical calendar Christians express their faith in Christ.

Each Sunday, we follow a tradition which began with the apostles who celebrated the first day of the week, the “Lord’s Day,” because is was the day of Jesus’ resurrection.. We celebrate the life, death and resurrection of Jesus which is called the paschal mystery.

Each season of the liturgical year celebrates an important aspect of Christ’s life and also commemorates saints and some important events in Mary’s life.

Each season has a particular: theme color religious practices symbols Each season concentrates on different parts of the Bible.

The Liturgical Cycle The Paschal mystery is celebrated through six specific seasons in the Church’s calendar: Advent Christmas Ordinary Time Lent Triduum Easter.

The liturgical year is a cycle of seasons repeating itself at the end of each cycle. The year or cycle begins with Advent and ends with Ordinary Time.

Symbols for each Season Advent Christmas Ordinary Advent wreath Nativity Chi - Ro

Lent Triduum Easter AshesCross Pascal Candle

Advent Begins in late November or early December. Four weeks prior to December 25. Season of spiritual expectation in preparation for Jesus’ birth as well as our hope that he will come again.

Christmas Celebrates the birth of our Lord. It lasts until the Baptism of Jesus. The feast of the Epiphany is observed which signifies Jesus’ first manifestation to the Gentile world.

Ordinary Time Occurs twice during the year: the end of Christmas and the beginning of Lent the end of Easter and the beginning of Advent The focus is on the teachings and ministry of Jesus.

Lent Begins on Ash Wednesday and continues for 40 days. It ends on Holy Thursday with the Mass of the Last Supper. It is a time of penance, prayer, and almsgiving.

Triduum Three most important days of the liturgical year- Mass of the Last Supper on Holy Thursday Christ’s passion on Good Friday Easter Vigil during the night of Holy Saturday. These liturgies celebrate the heart of our faith.

Easter The celebration of Easter lasts for 50 days ending with the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. It is an extended time celebrating the Resurrection and the beginning of the Church. The feast of Jesus’ Ascension comes 40 days after Easter.

Themes Advent Christmas Ordinary Time Awaiting for the Messiah Preparing for Christmas Final Judgment The Birth of Christ The Incarnation The Public Ministry of Christ

LentTriduumEaster Repentance Conversion Penance Last Supper Washing of the feet Passion and crucifixion of Christ Jesus laying in the tomb New Life Resurrection Witnessing

Ways to Celebrate these seasons Advent Christmas Ordinary Time Prayer Good deeds Penance Reconciliation Acts of Kindness Peacemaking Discipleship - following the teachings of Jesus in our every day life.

LentTriduumEaster Prayer Fasting Almsgiving Prayer Stations of the Cross Sharing our faith with others