T HE L ITURGICAL C ALENDAR

W HAT IS THE L ITURGICAL C ALENDAR ?

T HE L ITURGICAL C ALENDAR... Marks the celebration of the Church's liturgies Helps us to remember God’s saving power that was made real Celebrates God’s time we remember the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to the future Is built around important events in the Church (ie. Jesus’ birth, death, and Resurrection)

WHAT ARE THE SEASONS ( AND ASSOCIATED SYMBOLS ) OF THE LITURGICAL YEAR?

ADVENT Marks the start of the Liturgical Year Begins on the 4 th Sunday before Christmas and last for 4 weeks “Advent” means “coming”  the Advent season is about the coming of the infant Jesus Mood: hopeful anticipation Scripture: focus on God’s promise to send a saviour to deliver us from sin and death Symbol: the Advent wreath Colour: Purple (blue in some traditions)

CHRISTMASTIME December 25: celebrates the birth and Jesus and the mystery of the Incarnation (embodiment of God in human flesh) God entered the world as a human infant Mood: Joyful because we remember that God is with us, bringing hope and joy by sharing in our humanity Beginning on Christmas, the Christmas season lasts until the Baptism of Jesus, which was the 3 rd Sunday after Christmas day Colour: White

ORDINARY TIME Scripture: tends to focus on Jesus’ life between his birth and death/resurrection A time to reflect on Jesus’ teachings so that we can adjust our values and attitudes to be more like his 2 periods of Ordinary Time Between Christmastime and Lent Between the Easter season and the next Advent Colour: Green

LENT AND HOLY WEEK Lent is a solemn, reflective season that prepares us for Easter Begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts for 40 days until Easter (does not include Sundays during Lent) Recalls the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert Ash Wednesday: people attend Church and receive ashes on their forehead A reminder that without God we are simply dust During Lent we are called to renew ourselves through fasting, prayers, and almsgiving (giving to those in need) Colour: Purple (rose in some traditions)

HOLY WEEK Begins a week before Easter on Palm Sunday During Holy Week we remember the events of the final days of Jesus’ earthly life Palm Sunday: we remember Jesus entering Jerusalem The Triduum refers to the 3 special liturgies that make up the climax of Holy Week Colour: White, Red, Purple

Holy Thursday The Last Supper and Jesus’ gift of himself in the Eucharist A foot washing ritual is involved to remind us of Jesus’ call to serve one another as his followers We also remember the institution of the priesthood Good Friday Jesus’ Passion and death The liturgy is somber, and starts and ends with a bare altar During the liturgy we venerate (show love and respect for) the cross in some way Holy Saturday Known as the Easter Vigil, this liturgy is held at night Recalls the joy of Christ’s resurrection incorporates rituals of light/dark, a water blessing and lots of Scripture reading

EASTER SEASON The primary focus of the Liturgical Year Easter celebrates the wonder and joy of Christ’s resurrection Lasts for 50 days after Easter, until Pentecost The Sunday readings will focus appearances of the risen Christ and the growth of the early Church It is a time of joy and hope because we can hope for our own Resurrection and eternal life 2 special feasts: The Ascension of Jesus: 40 days after Easter The Coming of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost): 50 days after Easter Colour: White, then Red (Pentecost)