1. The Liturgical Year

2. The Liturgical Year Liturgical year = Church year
Each liturgical year is made up of a cycle of seasons & feast days.
Seasons: Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time, Lent, Triduum, Easter
Feast days: examples: Immaculate Conception, Ascension Thursday, etc.

3. The Liturgical Year
The Lectionary = set of readings used for liturgy of the word during celebrations of the Eucharist
The Church uses a 3-year cycle for its Sunday Lectionary
Year A: Gospel of Matthew
Year B: Gospel of Mark (some John is added)
Year C: Gospel of Luke

4. The Liturgical Year

5. The Liturgical Year and the Calendar Year 2011-2012
Advent: November 27th – December 24th
Christmas: December 25th – January 8th
Ordinary Time: January 9th – February 21st
Lent: February 22nd – April 5th
Triduum: April 5th – April 7th
Easter: April 8th – May 27th
Ordinary Time: May 28th – December 2nd

6. The Liturgical Year

7. Advent The word “advent” means “coming.”
The word “advent” means “coming.”
During Advent, we reflect on and prepare for 3 “comings” of Christ: past, present, & future.
Christ’s birth in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago
Christ’s entrance into our own hearts
Christ’s 2nd coming “in the fullness of time”

8. advent Advent is the beginning of the liturgical year.
Advent begins 4 Sundays before Christmas.
The liturgical color of Advent is purple.
3rd Sunday = Pink
The Advent wreath helps us remember several concepts:
God is eternal (circle)
Life is enduring (evergreen)
Christ is the light of the world (candles)

9. The Christmas Season
Celebrates the Incarnation & Manifestation of Christ
Incarnation- becoming flesh (human)
Manifestation – made known to the world
Liturgical Colors
White & Gold
Special Elements
Christmas Carols
Nativity Scene

10. The Christmas Season Time Frame Begins December 25th (Christmas)
Ends with the Baptism of Jesus (Sunday after January 6th)
Includes other important feasts
1st Sunday after Christmas = Feast of the Holy Family
January 1st = Solemnity of Mary
January 6th = Epiphany (arrival of wise men)
12 Days of Christmas = Dec 25th to Jan 6th

11. Ordinary Time
Most of the church year focus on two celebrations=Christmas and Easter
The rest of the church year following Epiphany and Pentecost is known as Ordinary Time
Not ordinary in the sense of “common” or “mundane” – but from word “ordinal” meaning counted time- First Sunday after Pentecost etc.
The liturgical color is dark green

12. LENT
The word “lent” comes from a Middle English word meaning springtime
Lent is a season of preparation for Easter
During Lent we focus on repentance
The liturgical color of Lent is purple

13. Lent Time Frame Lent begins on Ash Wednesday
The season of Lent lasts 40 days
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday
Ashes symbolize repentance
Lent ends the morning of Holy Thursday

14. LENT Lenten Practices Fasting & Abstinence
Fasting on Ash Wednesday & Good Friday
Abstaining from meat on all Fridays of Lent
Preparation for adults becoming Catholic
R.C.I.A. programs
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults

15. Lent The 3 Pillars of Lent
PRAYER – nurturing your relationship with God
FASTING – giving something up to be closer to God
ALMSGIVING – sharing with those in need

16. Making A Lenten Plan
Work in a small group (3-4 students) to create a meaningful and realistic plan to observe the 3 pillars of Lent.
Come up with SPECIFIC ways someone in your situation can include prayer, fasting, and almsgiving in her observance of Lent.

17. Holy Week Begins on PALM SUNDAY(a.k.a. Passion Sunday)
Foci:
Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem
Jesus’ Passion
Liturgy:
2 Gospel readings: 1 at beginning, 1 at usual time
Procession with Palms
Reading of the Passion
Liturgical color = red
Includes the Triduum

18. Triduum Three days celebrated as one: Holy Thursday Good Friday
Holy Saturday/Easter Vigil

19. Triduum – Holy Thursday
Focus:
The Lord’s Supper
Liturgy:
Foot washing
Procession with Eucharist
No end to the liturgy
Liturgical color = white

20. Triduum – Good Friday Focus: Jesus’ Suffering & Death Liturgy:
Communion Service
(NOT a Mass—no Eucharistic Prayer)
Veneration of the Cross
No formal end to the liturgy
Liturgical color = red

21. Triduum – Easter Vigil Focus: Jesus’ Resurrection! Liturgy:
Many Scripture readings to tell the story of Salvation History
Easter Fire, candles, Easter candle
Sacraments of Initiation for RCIA Candidates
Liturgical color = white

22. The Easter Season Celebrates the RESURRECTION of Christ
The liturgical colors are white & gold
Special elements :
Singing Alleluia
Sprinkling Rite

23. The Easter Season Time Frame Begins with the Easter Vigil
Lasts 50 days
Includes Ascension Thursday (HDoO)
40 days after Easter
Ends with the celebration of Pentecost
50 days after Easter