Grace Thompson
The liturgical year in the Catholic Church is divided into a seasonal cycle and a sanctoral cycle, which are organized and published in a liturgical calendar. The liturgical year begins on the First Sunday of Advent, which falls in December of the preceding calendar year. The liturgical calendar includes celebrations of the mystery of salvation, the lives of saints, and the life of Christ, from the Incarnation and Nativity to the Ascension, Pentecost, and the expectation of the Second Coming. The liturgical year is also marked by the transition from one lectionary cycle (A, B, or C) to another, with each of the three years dedicated to a different Gospel. The current liturgical cycle is Year A, dedicated to the Gospel of St. Matthew.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of cycles | 2 central cycles – the Easter cycle and the Christmas cycle |
| Number of years in each cycle | 3 |
| Gospels dedicated to each year | Year A – Gospel of St. Matthew; Year B – Gospel of St. Mark; Year C – Gospel of St. Luke |
| Year of transition from one lectionary cycle to another | First Sunday of Advent |
| Number of seasons in the liturgical year | 9 |
| First season of the liturgical year | Weeks of Annunciation (Subara) |
| Liturgical colours of Advent | Purple and Rose |
| Liturgical colour of Christmas | White |
| Liturgical colour of Ordinary Time | Green |
| Liturgical colours of Lent | Violet or purple |
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What You'll Learn
- The liturgical year is divided into seasons, each with its own mood, theological emphases and modes of prayer
- The liturgical calendar includes the cycle of celebrations of the mystery of salvation in the Proper of Time
- The liturgical year begins on the First Sunday of Advent
- The three-year cycle of Sunday readings at Mass was established to emphasise the Word of God and open up the Bible to the lay faithful
- The liturgical year consists of a seasonal cycle and a sanctoral cycle, the Proper of Saints
The liturgical year is divided into seasons, each with its own mood, theological emphases and modes of prayer
The liturgical year is divided into seasons, each with its own distinct mood, theological focus, and prayer practices. This cycle guides Catholics through the mystery of Christ's life, from his birth to his ascension, and the expectation of his second coming. The seasons of the liturgical year include Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time (Time after Epiphany), Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time (Time after Pentecost).
Advent marks the beginning of the liturgical year and is a time of preparation and anticipation for the coming of Jesus. It is characterised by the liturgical colours purple and rose, with a focus on teachings about the end times and the messianic expectations. The Advent season culminates in the celebration of Christmas, commemorating the birth of Jesus. The Christmas season is a joyful time, with the liturgical colour of white, and extends for several weeks, including the Feast of Christmas and Epiphany.
Following the Christmas season is Ordinary Time (Time after Epiphany), which is a season of counted weeks, denoted by the liturgical colour green. This season focuses on the early life and public ministry of Christ. It continues until the season of Lent, which begins with Ash Wednesday. Lent is a penitential season, recalling the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert and the Israelites' 40 years of wandering. It is a time of preparation and reflection on the events leading up to Christ's passion.
The liturgical year then enters into the Easter cycle, with Holy Week, including Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, leading up to Easter Sunday. The Season of Easter celebrates the "'Paschal Mystery'"—the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the core event of Christianity. This season is marked by intense celebration and continues for fifty days until Pentecost Sunday, commemorating the coming of the Holy Spirit.
After Pentecost, the liturgical year returns to Ordinary Time (Time after Pentecost), which lasts until the next Advent season begins. This season is marked by the sequential numbering of Sundays and can vary in length depending on the variable date of Pentecost. Throughout the liturgical year, Sundays hold primary importance, with each Sunday being a holy day of obligation.
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The liturgical calendar includes the cycle of celebrations of the mystery of salvation in the Proper of Time
The liturgical calendar is a Christian year or ecclesiastical calendar that consists of the cycle of liturgical days and seasons. It determines when feast days, including celebrations of saints, are to be observed, and which portions of scripture are to be read. The liturgical year is divided into eight seasons of approximately seven weeks each, adjusted to fit the solar calendar.
The liturgical year includes two cycles: a seasonal cycle and a sanctoral cycle, called the Proper of Time and the Proper of Saints, respectively. The Proper of Time, or the seasonal cycle, includes the celebrations of the mystery of salvation, found in the Proper of the Seasons. This cycle unfolds the entire mystery of Christ, from the Incarnation and birth until the Ascension, the day of Pentecost, and the expectation of Christ's second coming. Each Sunday, the Church commemorates the Resurrection of Christ, which is also celebrated annually during Easter, together with his Passion. The mystery of Christ is further illustrated in the lives of Mary and the saints, who are celebrated by the Church throughout the year.
The Proper of Saints, or the sanctoral cycle, includes the celebrations of saints with universal significance, who are obligatorily celebrated by everyone, as well as saints who demonstrate the universality and continuity of sainthood within the Church. The liturgical year begins on the First Sunday of Advent during the preceding calendar year. For example, the First Sunday of Advent in 2019 marked the beginning of the 2020 liturgical year.
The liturgical calendar is governed by the General Calendar, for use in the entire Roman Rite, or a particular calendar, for use in a specific Church or religious community. The General Calendar includes the entire cycle of celebrations, including the Proper of Time and the Proper of Saints. Particular calendars may include more specialized celebrations that are coordinated harmoniously with the universal celebrations.
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The liturgical year begins on the First Sunday of Advent
The liturgical year in the Catholic Church begins on the First Sunday of Advent. This marks the start of the Advent season, a time of waiting and preparation for the coming of Jesus. The liturgical colours of Advent are purple and rose, with rose being used only on the third Sunday of Advent. The Advent season lasts until the first vespers of Christmas Eve on 24 December.
The Christmas season begins with the celebration of the birth of Jesus, on Christmas Day, or as a vigil on Christmas Eve. The Feast of Christmas lasts 12 days, until Epiphany. The liturgical colour of Christmas is white. The Christmas season includes Christmas Day, the First Sunday after Christmas Day, and the Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
After the Christmas season comes Ordinary Time, which is not to be confused with "plain". The name comes from "ordinalis", meaning "showing order, denoting an order of succession". It is a season of counted weeks, focusing on the early life and childhood of Christ, and then on His public ministry. The liturgical colour of Ordinary Time is green.
Following Ordinary Time is the season of Lent, a penitential season that recalls the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert, and the 40 years the Israelites wandered in the desert. Lent focuses on the events leading up to Christ's passion and then on the Passion itself. Lent is 40 days long, not including Sundays, as Sunday is always a day for rejoicing in the Resurrection. The liturgical colours of Lent are violet or purple.
The liturgical year consists of a seasonal cycle and a sanctoral cycle, called the Proper of Time and the Proper of Saints, respectively. Both are organized and published in a liturgical calendar. The Second Vatican Council brought renewed emphasis to Sunday as a unique liturgical category, with the Lord's Day being observed as a holy day of obligation.
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The three-year cycle of Sunday readings at Mass was established to emphasise the Word of God and open up the Bible to the lay faithful
The liturgical year in the Catholic Church is structured around a cycle of celebrations, commemorations, and observances that unfold the mystery of Christ and the salvation of humanity. This cycle is organised into seasons, each with its own theological emphasis, modes of prayer, and liturgical colours, creating a rich tapestry of worship and devotion.
Prior to the Second Vatican Council, the Catholic Church followed a yearly cycle of readings that repeated annually. However, the Church sought to provide more variety and a deeper exploration of the Bible for the lay faithful. As a result, a three-year cycle of Sunday readings was established, centred around the three synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
Each of the three years in the cycle is dedicated to a different Gospel: Year A to the Gospel of St. Matthew, Year B to the Gospel of St. Mark, and Year C to the Gospel of St. Luke. The Gospel of St. John is typically used during solemnities and Holy Week, and in Year B, the Gospel of Mark is supplemented with readings from Matthew and Luke.
The three-year cycle ensures that Catholics become more familiar with the Bible and gain a deeper understanding of God's word. The readings are carefully chosen and sequenced to provide a comprehensive exploration of the Bible, with a particular focus on the seasons of Easter, Lent, and Advent.
The liturgical year begins with the First Sunday of Advent, a time of anticipation and preparation for the coming of Christ. This is followed by the Christmas season, celebrating the Incarnation and Nativity of Jesus. After the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, the season of Ordinary Time begins, focusing on the early life and public ministry of Christ.
The liturgical year continues with Lent, a penitential season recalling Jesus' time in the desert and the events leading up to His Passion. Easter, the heart of the Christian faith, celebrates the Resurrection of Christ. The liturgical year concludes with Ordinary Time, which continues until the next First Sunday of Advent.
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The liturgical year consists of a seasonal cycle and a sanctoral cycle, the Proper of Saints
The liturgical year in the Catholic Church is organised into two central cycles: the seasonal cycle, or Proper of Time, and the sanctoral cycle, or Proper of Saints. Both cycles are organised and published in a liturgical calendar, which is also enriched by observances specific to local churches. The liturgical year begins on the First Sunday of Advent, which falls within the preceding calendar year. For example, the First Sunday of Advent in 2019 marked the beginning of the 2020 liturgical year.
The seasonal cycle, or Proper of Time, centres on the mystery of Christ, from the Incarnation and birth until the Ascension, Pentecost, and the expectation of the Second Coming. This cycle includes the celebration of significant events in the life of Christ, such as Christmas, which commemorates the Nativity of Jesus Christ, and Easter, which marks the Lord's resurrection from the dead. The season of Advent, which precedes Christmas, is a time of preparation and waiting for the coming of Jesus. The liturgical colour of Advent is purple, with rose being used on the third Sunday of Advent. The Christmas season begins on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve and lasts for 12 days until Epiphany. The liturgical colour of Christmas is white.
The sanctoral cycle, or Proper of Saints, honours the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints. The feasts of the saints proclaim the works of Christ in his servants and offer examples for the faithful to follow. The Blessed Virgin Mary, in particular, is closely associated with the saving work of her son, Jesus Christ.
In addition to the seasonal and sanctoral cycles, there are other days of prayer and special observances promoted by the Holy See or the USCCB that may not be part of the liturgical calendar but help guide the prayers of the Church towards the needs of humanity. The liturgical calendar also includes the General Roman Calendar, which encompasses the entire cycle of celebrations of the mystery of salvation, as well as the feasts of saints who have universal significance and those who demonstrate the continuity of sainthood.
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Frequently asked questions
The liturgical year consists of a seasonal cycle and a sanctoral cycle, called the Proper of Time and the Proper of Saints, respectively. The liturgical year is divided into seasons, each with its own mood, theological emphases, and modes of prayer. The liturgical year begins on the First Sunday of Advent.
The liturgical year contains two central cycles: the Easter cycle and the Christmas cycle. Each cycle includes a festival season preceded by a season of preparation and anticipation (Lent and Advent). The Second Vatican Council also established a three-year cycle of Sunday readings, with each year dedicated to a different Gospel.
The liturgical colours vary according to the season. Advent is purple or violet, with rose used on the third Sunday of Advent. Christmas is white. Ordinary Time is green, although other colours may be worn on feast days. Lent is violet or purple, with rose used on Laetare Sunday and red used on Passion Sunday and Good Friday.
