THETHE

LITURGICAL YEARLITURGICAL YEAR

OVERVIEWOVERVIEW

PURPOSE OF LITURGICAL CALENDARPURPOSE OF LITURGICAL CALENDAR Historical perspective Historical perspective

CalendarsCalendars Chosen PeopleChosen People Christian similaritiesChristian similarities

Cycles and SeasonsCycles and Seasons Proper and Common readingsProper and Common readings Finding Easter dates and moveable feastsFinding Easter dates and moveable feasts Octaves, Embers, FeastsOctaves, Embers, Feasts

Days of ObligationDays of Obligation

OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES

Describe the term “liturgical year” and give a Describe the term “liturgical year” and give a purpose.purpose.

Name the liturgical seasons and cycles.Name the liturgical seasons and cycles. Understand other “cycles” of the liturgical yearUnderstand other “cycles” of the liturgical year

Three year cycle for SundaysThree year cycle for Sundays Two year cycle for weekdaysTwo year cycle for weekdays

Be familiar with how the date for Easter is Be familiar with how the date for Easter is determined.determined.

Define “ember days” and “octaves”.Define “ember days” and “octaves”. Be familiar with hierarchy of feast days and holy Be familiar with hierarchy of feast days and holy

days of obligation. days of obligation.

LITURGICAL YEARLITURGICAL YEAR

““The celebration throughout The celebration throughout the year of the mysteries of the year of the mysteries of the Lord’s birth, life, death, the Lord’s birth, life, death, and Resurrection in such a and Resurrection in such a

way that the entire year way that the entire year becomes a “year of the Lord’s becomes a “year of the Lord’s grace”. Thus the great feasts grace”. Thus the great feasts constitute the basic rhythm of constitute the basic rhythm of the Christian’s life of prayer, the Christian’s life of prayer, with its focal point Easter.” with its focal point Easter.”

(ccc glossary)(ccc glossary)

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVEHISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE Civilizations have had ways Civilizations have had ways

to mark time for centuries.to mark time for centuries. Often tied to cycle of seasons Often tied to cycle of seasons

(ie.end of winter or annual (ie.end of winter or annual flooding) or moon or sun.flooding) or moon or sun.

Regular calendars mark Regular calendars mark seasons, weeks, days, events seasons, weeks, days, events of significanceof significance

The Liturgical Calendar does The Liturgical Calendar does the same but in the context of the same but in the context of Christ and his Paschal Christ and his Paschal MysteryMystery ““Cycles” (Temporal Seasons) – Cycles” (Temporal Seasons) –

Advent, Christmas, Easter etc.Advent, Christmas, Easter etc.

The Christian Liturgical CalendarThe Christian Liturgical Calendar

The focal point is EasterThe focal point is Easter The “Feast of Feasts”, The “Feast of Feasts”,

Solemnity of solemnities”, Solemnity of solemnities”, “sacrament of sacraments”“sacrament of sacraments”

All events surrounding All events surrounding Christ lead to the focal Christ lead to the focal point – the Paschal point – the Paschal Mystery.Mystery. Annunciation, Christmas, Annunciation, Christmas,

Epiphany etc.Epiphany etc. Mary is also honored as Mary is also honored as

Mother of God Mother of God Linked inseparably to her Linked inseparably to her

SonSon

PERSPECTIVEPERSPECTIVE

Unlike pagan Unlike pagan religions which see religions which see time as an endless time as an endless

cycle, cycle, Christians see time Christians see time

as being linear.as being linear.It has a beginning It has a beginning

and will have an and will have an end. end.

Pagan calendar

WithinWithin Christianity's Christianity's linear, linear,

"big picture“ "big picture“ sense of time,sense of time,the passing of the passing of

hours is hours is experienced as experienced as

cycles of cycles of meditations on holy meditations on holy

things things Think of a spiral – Think of a spiral – of a circle of time of a circle of time

moving ever moving ever forward toward His forward toward His

Coming. Coming.

THE CHOSEN PEOPLETHE CHOSEN PEOPLE

God, in His Wisdom, God, in His Wisdom, provided very provided very tangible and tangible and

memorable ways for memorable ways for the children of Israel the children of Israel

to pass on their faith to to pass on their faith to their children, their children,

to ensure the to ensure the continuation of the continuation of the Jewish people as a Jewish people as a nation, nation,

to teach them and others to teach them and others His ways. His ways.

THE CHOSEN PEOPLETHE CHOSEN PEOPLE

The feasts and holidays which punctuate the Hebrew year provide opportunities to celebrate communally,to celebrate communally, to hear and proclaim to hear and proclaim

God's Word, God's Word, to relive lessons in Jewish to relive lessons in Jewish

history, history, to echo messages of to echo messages of

hope and consolation hope and consolation through the generations. through the generations.

Leviticus 23 lists seven feasts, Leviticus 23 lists seven feasts, the main holidays of the Jewish calendar. the main holidays of the Jewish calendar.

In addition, there are two other holidays In addition, there are two other holidays commemorating victories over enemies of the Jews. commemorating victories over enemies of the Jews.

THE CHOSEN PEOPLETHE CHOSEN PEOPLE

Queen of all feasts, the Queen of all feasts, the Sabbath, Sabbath, culmination and high culmination and high

point of every week in point of every week in Jewish households. Jewish households.

Each of these holy Each of these holy days has distinctive days has distinctive prayers, songs, foods prayers, songs, foods and activities and activities

- a multi-sensory a multi-sensory experience experience

- involving all members involving all members of the family. of the family.

TRADITION CONTINUESTRADITION CONTINUES

Judaeo-Christians can Judaeo-Christians can recognize this same recognize this same teaching technique in teaching technique in the parables of Jesus the parables of Jesus and the Sacraments and the Sacraments which He initiated. which He initiated. Bread and wine, Bread and wine,

water and oil, water and oil, incense and candles, incense and candles, prayers and songs prayers and songs

All rich and integral All rich and integral parts of Catholic parts of Catholic liturgy and tradition. liturgy and tradition.

THE CHRISTIAN CALENDARTHE CHRISTIAN CALENDAR

The Catholic The Catholic "liturgical year" "liturgical year"

is made special by is made special by celebrations celebrations

commemorating the commemorating the lives of lives of

Jesus and His mother, Jesus and His mother, the angels, the angels,

and the legion of Saints and the legion of Saints who lived their faith. who lived their faith.

Below are 25 Feasts and times, in chronological Below are 25 Feasts and times, in chronological order, order, 

that demonstrate how the liturgical year is a reliving that demonstrate how the liturgical year is a reliving of the life of Christ:of the life of Christ:

Advent Advent He is comingHe is coming

Nativity Nativity He comes He comes

Circumcision He follows Old Testament LawCircumcision He follows Old Testament Law

Epiphany Epiphany He reveals Himself as God He reveals Himself as God

Holy Family He grows up in a human familyHoly Family He grows up in a human family

Candlemas Simeon's prophecyCandlemas Simeon's prophecy

Septuagesima We are in exile without ChristSeptuagesima We are in exile without Christ

Ash Wed. Ash Wed. Without Christ, we are dustWithout Christ, we are dust

Lent Lent Christ is in the DesertChrist is in the Desert

Passion Sun. Jews make plans to kill JesusPassion Sun. Jews make plans to kill Jesus

7 Sorrows7 Sorrows Mary's suffers at what is to Mary's suffers at what is to comecome

Palm Sun. Palm Sun. He triumphantly enters He triumphantly enters JerusalemJerusalem

Spy Wed. Spy Wed. Jesus is betrayed by JudasJesus is betrayed by Judas

Maundy Thu. He offers the first Holy MassMaundy Thu. He offers the first Holy Mass

Good Friday He is put to death and fulfills Old Good Friday He is put to death and fulfills Old Testament Law Testament Law

Holy Sa. Holy Sa. He is in the tombHe is in the tomb

Easter Easter He is risenHe is risen

Ascension Ascension He ascends into HeavenHe ascends into Heaven

Pentecost Pentecost He sends the Holy GhostHe sends the Holy Ghost

Trinity Sun. The Most Holy Trinity has beenTrinity Sun. The Most Holy Trinity has been

fully revealedfully revealed

Assumption Mary is assumed into Heaven Assumption Mary is assumed into Heaven

& crowned Queen& crowned Queen

Christ the King We recognize Christ's Christ the King We recognize Christ's Kingship Kingship

now and forevernow and forever

All Saints All Saints We will triumph as have We will triumph as have our our

heroic Saintsheroic Saints

All Souls All Souls We pray for those who areWe pray for those who are

awaiting their triumphawaiting their triumph

Last Sun. in Time Apocalypse. He will come Last Sun. in Time Apocalypse. He will come

after Pentecost to judge the world.after Pentecost to judge the world.

THE LIFE OF CHRISTTHE LIFE OF CHRIST Every year, aware Catholics "re-live" Every year, aware Catholics "re-live"

the Gospel, the Gospel, from Christ's Incarnation and Birth to from Christ's Incarnation and Birth to

His Ascension and Heavenly reign.His Ascension and Heavenly reign.

In Spring He enters the world by coming In Spring He enters the world by coming to rest in Mary's immaculate wombto rest in Mary's immaculate womb

Nine months later, in Winter, He is born, Nine months later, in Winter, He is born, circumcised, and given a Name. circumcised, and given a Name.

He is raised in the Holy Family, and meets He is raised in the Holy Family, and meets His cousin, John. His cousin, John.

He goes into the Desert and we go with He goes into the Desert and we go with Him during our Lenten Season. Him during our Lenten Season.

Then follow His Passion and Agony, Then follow His Passion and Agony, which are soon vanquished by His which are soon vanquished by His Resurrection, His Ascension, and the Resurrection, His Ascension, and the Pentecost. Pentecost.

Now He reigns forever, and we await His Now He reigns forever, and we await His Second Coming as we prepare to Second Coming as we prepare to celebrate again His First Coming. celebrate again His First Coming.

The cycle The cycle begins begins again, again,

like a like a wheel wheel

that's been that's been spinning spinning for two for two

millennia. millennia.

THE GOALTHE GOAL

The Catholic who is The Catholic who is aware of this wheel aware of this wheel

is necessarily is necessarily aware of Christ aware of Christ

The Catholic who also The Catholic who also celebrates the celebrates the

Feasts well and Feasts well and practices the practices the

traditions of the traditions of the Church lives Church lives

intimately with Him. intimately with Him.

CYCLES AND SEASONSCYCLES AND SEASONS EACH YEAR HAS TWO CYCLES AND “currently” EACH YEAR HAS TWO CYCLES AND “currently”

SIX SEASONSSIX SEASONS CHRISTMASCHRISTMAS

ADVENTADVENT CHRISTMASTIDECHRISTMASTIDE TIME AFTER EPIPHANYTIME AFTER EPIPHANY

EASTEREASTER LENT (QUADRAGESMA)LENT (QUADRAGESMA) EASTERTIDE (PASCHALTIDE)EASTERTIDE (PASCHALTIDE) TIME AFTER PENTACOSTTIME AFTER PENTACOST

Each of the Seasons has an associated mood, Each of the Seasons has an associated mood, its own "feeling in the air," its own "feeling in the air," its own scents and ornaments, associated its own scents and ornaments, associated

color (priests' vestments, liturgical art, church color (priests' vestments, liturgical art, church decoration) decoration)

On certain Holy Days within a particular season, On certain Holy Days within a particular season, that Day's color will take precedence over the that Day's color will take precedence over the season's color. season's color.

SEASONS HAVE CHANGED OVER TIMESEASONS HAVE CHANGED OVER TIME SEPTUGESMIA NO LONGER OFFICIAL SEASONSEPTUGESMIA NO LONGER OFFICIAL SEASON OCCURRED JUST PRIOR TO LENTOCCURRED JUST PRIOR TO LENT NOW PART OF ORDINARY TIMENOW PART OF ORDINARY TIME

OTHER “CYCLES”OTHER “CYCLES” Liturgical Years - For Sundays and other Liturgical Years - For Sundays and other

special days throughout the church yearspecial days throughout the church year Three sets of readings assigned for Three sets of readings assigned for

the day.the day. Assigned to Liturgical Years A, B, and Assigned to Liturgical Years A, B, and

C. C. Years which are evenly divisible by 3 Years which are evenly divisible by 3

are assigned year C, such as 2007. are assigned year C, such as 2007. Liturgical Years start on the first Liturgical Years start on the first Sunday of Advent of the previous Sunday of Advent of the previous year, so 30 Nov, 2008 started year, so 30 Nov, 2008 started Liturgical Year B. Liturgical Year B.

Liturgical Cycles - For weekdays in Liturgical Cycles - For weekdays in ordinary time and other special days ordinary time and other special days throughout the church yearthroughout the church year

Two sets of readings for the day Two sets of readings for the day assigned to Liturgical Cycles I and II. assigned to Liturgical Cycles I and II.

Odd years are assigned cycle I, and Odd years are assigned cycle I, and even years are assigned cycle II. even years are assigned cycle II.

Liturgical Cycles start on the first Liturgical Cycles start on the first Sunday of Advent of the previous Sunday of Advent of the previous year, so 30 Nov, 2008 began year, so 30 Nov, 2008 began Liturgical Cycle I. Liturgical Cycle I.

Sanctoral and Temporal Cycles: fixed and Sanctoral and Temporal Cycles: fixed and moveable feast daysmoveable feast days

Cycle I: Cycle I: The Christmas CycleThe Christmas CycleSeason 1: AdventSeason 1: Advent

Begins the Liturgical yearBegins the Liturgical year first Sunday of Advent to first Sunday of Advent to

sundown on 24 December. sundown on 24 December. (22 - 28 calendar days)(22 - 28 calendar days)

The word "Advent" comes The word "Advent" comes from the Latin "advenire" or from the Latin "advenire" or "arrival" "arrival"

Our awaiting the arrival of Our awaiting the arrival of Christ's birth at Christ's Mass Christ's birth at Christ's Mass (Christmas) and His Second (Christmas) and His Second Coming.Coming.

Mood is somber, Mood is somber, penitential expectation. penitential expectation.

Its color is violet. Its color is violet.

Cycle I: Cycle I: The Christmas CycleThe Christmas Cycle

Season 2: ChristmastideSeason 2: Christmastide

Lasts from Lasts from sundown on 24 sundown on 24 December to 13 December to 13 January. (19 days). January. (19 days).

Celebration of Celebration of Christ's Christ's Incarnation, Incarnation,

Mood is humble, Mood is humble, grateful, joyous grateful, joyous celebration. celebration.

Color is whiteColor is white

Cycle I: Cycle I: The Christmas CycleThe Christmas Cycle

Season 3: Season 3: Time After EpiphanyTime After Epiphany

• 14 January to the vigil of 14 January to the vigil of Septuagesima Sunday (4 - 38 Septuagesima Sunday (4 - 38 calendar days) calendar days)

•the ninth Sunday before Easter the ninth Sunday before Easter (same as 3 Sundays before Ash (same as 3 Sundays before Ash Wednesday). Wednesday).

• Focus is Jesus' manifestation of Focus is Jesus' manifestation of Himself as God during His public Himself as God during His public ministry. ministry. • Color is green Color is green

Cycle 2: Cycle 2: The Easter CycleThe Easter CycleSeason 4: Lent Season 4: Lent

• Ash Wednesday to the Saturday Ash Wednesday to the Saturday before Easter. (46 calendar days) before Easter. (46 calendar days)

• Lent lasts 40 days + the six Lent lasts 40 days + the six Sundays, but Sundays aren't Sundays, but Sundays aren't counted as "Lent" because counted as "Lent" because Sundays are always about the Sundays are always about the Resurrection and are joyous.)Resurrection and are joyous.)

• Called "Quadragesima," meaning Called "Quadragesima," meaning "Forty," "Forty," • Recalls Christ's 40 days in the Recalls Christ's 40 days in the desert, and the Israelites' wandering in desert, and the Israelites' wandering in the desert for 40 years. the desert for 40 years. • Mood is somberMood is somber• Color is violet.Color is violet.

Cycle 2: Cycle 2: The Easter CycleThe Easter Cycle

"Passiontide” (subset of Lent)"Passiontide” (subset of Lent)

Begins Passion Begins Passion Sunday and ends Holy Sunday and ends Holy Saturday (the last two Saturday (the last two weeks of Lent). weeks of Lent).

Crosses and images Crosses and images in churches are in churches are covered with violet covered with violet cloth.cloth. Crosses unveiled after

Good Friday Mass Images unveiled just

before Saturday vigil Mass

The last three days The last three days of Holy Week of Holy Week -- i.e., Maundy -- i.e., Maundy

Thursday, Good Friday, Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday – and Holy Saturday –

are called the are called the Sacred Triduum.Sacred Triduum.

The second week of

Passiontide is called

"Holy Week."

Cycle 2: Cycle 2: The Easter CycleThe Easter Cycle

Season 5: Season 5: Paschaltide (Eastertide)Paschaltide (Eastertide)

From Easter Vigil to the From Easter Vigil to the day before Trinity day before Trinity Sunday (the Sunday Sunday (the Sunday after Pentecost (56 after Pentecost (56 calendar days, not calendar days, not counting Easter Vigil) counting Easter Vigil)

Contains the two Contains the two greatest Feasts of the greatest Feasts of the Church - -- Easter Church - -- Easter Sunday and Pentecost.Sunday and Pentecost.

Mood is joyous and Mood is joyous and victorious. victorious.

Color is white or gold.Color is white or gold.

Cycle 2: Cycle 2: The Easter CycleThe Easter Cycle

Season 6: Season 6: Time After Pentecost Time After Pentecost

•From Trinity Sunday to the day From Trinity Sunday to the day before Advent Sunday. before Advent Sunday. • Focus is the Holy Spirit in the Focus is the Holy Spirit in the Millennium, Millennium,

•the Church Age we now live the Church Age we now live in, and Christ's Reign as King in, and Christ's Reign as King of Kings of Kings • the time between the Age of the time between the Age of the Apostles and the Age to the Apostles and the Age to Come. Come.

• Color is green.Color is green.

PROPER - COMMONPROPER - COMMON

The Proper of Saints The Proper of Saints (also called the “Sanctoral cycle”) (also called the “Sanctoral cycle”)

Feast Days which are not Feast Days which are not movablemovable they fall on the same date each they fall on the same date each

year. year.

Proper of SeasonsProper of Seasons (also called the “Temporal cycle”)(also called the “Temporal cycle”)

Sundays and other Feasts of Sundays and other Feasts of the year, whose dates of the year, whose dates of celebration depend on the celebration depend on the dates of Easter Sunday and dates of Easter Sunday and Advent SundayAdvent Sunday and are, therefore, movable and are, therefore, movable they change each yearthey change each year

Proper (own) refers to the readings used for a certain liturgy assigned to a certain saint or feast.

Common refers to the readings normally assigned that particular day assuming there is no designated proper.

"Overlaid" on this grid of Seasons are two sets of dates:

DETERMINING DATES FOR PROPER OF SEASONS

Mark the Season Mark the Season of Easter of Easter

Determine the date of Determine the date of Easter Easter

First Sunday First Sunday afterafter the the first full moon on or first full moon on or after March 21after March 21(even if (even if the full moon on or after the full moon on or after March 21 falls on a March 21 falls on a Sunday, go to the Sunday Sunday, go to the Sunday afterafter). ).

The Vigil of this The Vigil of this Feast marks the Feast marks the beginning of beginning of EastertideEastertide

DETERMINING EASTERDETERMINING EASTER

Full Moon dates Full Moon dates 2009 Month, Date, 2009 Month, Date, DayDay Jan 11 Sun,Jan 11 Sun, Feb 9 Mon,Feb 9 Mon, Mar 11 Wed, Mar 11 Wed, Apr 9 Thu,Apr 9 Thu,

DETERMINING OTHER DETERMINING OTHER SEASONSSEASONS

Mark the Season of Advent:Christmas (always December 25), count back 4 Sundays to mark Advent Sunday (if Christmas is a Sunday,

don't count it; count back 4 entire Sundays so that there are 4 Sundays in Advent).

This date marks the beginning of Advent.

Mark the Season of Christmas:The Vigil of December 25 is the beginning of Christmastide

OCTAVESOCTAVES

Octaves are 8-day Octaves are 8-day periods of periods of observance, observance, beginning with the beginning with the Feast day itself. Feast day itself. Not all Feasts have Not all Feasts have

"Octaves"; only the "Octaves"; only the most important ones most important ones do. do.

Christmas, Easter, Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost. and Pentecost.

The octave The octave beforebefore Christmas Christmas EveEve is is "The Golden "The Golden Nights."Nights."

EMBER DAYSEMBER DAYS The Ember Days are special The Ember Days are special

days (days (specifically, the specifically, the Wednesday, Friday, and Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday)Saturday) set aside by the set aside by the Church for prayer, fasting, and Church for prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. almsgiving. They occur at the beginning of They occur at the beginning of

each season of the year.each season of the year. Wednesday, Friday, and Wednesday, Friday, and

Saturday after Third Sunday of Saturday after Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) = Advent (Gaudete Sunday) = Advent Embertide Advent Embertide

Wednesday, Friday, and Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after First Sunday of Saturday after First Sunday of Lent = Lenten Embertide Lent = Lenten Embertide

After Pentecost Sunday = Whit After Pentecost Sunday = Whit Embertide Embertide

After the Feast of the Exaltation After the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (14 of the Holy Cross (14 September).September).

FEASTSFEASTS Feasts fall into one of a few Feasts fall into one of a few

categories, in descending order of categories, in descending order of precedence:precedence: 1st Class 1st Class 2nd Class2nd Class 3rd Class 3rd Class Commemoration Commemoration

When two Feasts of the same rank When two Feasts of the same rank fall on the same day, they are fall on the same day, they are ranked further by whether they ranked further by whether they relate to relate to

(in descending order of (in descending order of preference): preference): Our Lord Our Lord Our Lady Our Lady the Holy Angels the Holy Angels St. John the Baptist, St. St. John the Baptist, St.

Joseph, St. Peter, St. Paul, the Joseph, St. Peter, St. Paul, the other Apostles other Apostles

Martyrs Martyrs Other SaintsOther Saints

HOLY DAYS OF OBLIGATIONHOLY DAYS OF OBLIGATION

In addition to each Sunday, In addition to each Sunday, Mass attendance is required Mass attendance is required for Holy Days of Obligation. for Holy Days of Obligation. These Holy Days differ from These Holy Days differ from

country to country: country to country:

Mary Mother of God – 1 Jan 2010Mary Mother of God – 1 Jan 2010 Ascension – 13 May (16 May) Ascension – 13 May (16 May)

20102010 Assumption – 15 Aug 2010Assumption – 15 Aug 2010 All Saints – 1 Nov 2010All Saints – 1 Nov 2010 Immaculate Conception – 8 Dec Immaculate Conception – 8 Dec

2009/102009/10 Christmas – 25 Dec 2009/10Christmas – 25 Dec 2009/10

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

THERE IS LOGIC, AND THERE IS LOGIC, AND REASON, AND BEAUTY REASON, AND BEAUTY IN THE LITURGICAL IN THE LITURGICAL CALENDAR.CALENDAR.

IT BRINGS US CLOSER IT BRINGS US CLOSER TO GODTO GOD

Let Jesus be part of your Let Jesus be part of your everydayeveryday life lived. life lived.