Sarah Mitchell
The liturgical calendar is a seasonal cycle that organizes the liturgical year of the Catholic Church. It is based on the mystery of Christ and the historical life of Jesus Christ, and it guides believers toward eschatological fulfillment through a special arrangement of liturgical seasons. The liturgical calendar is divided into eight seasons of approximately seven weeks each, adjusted to fit the solar calendar. The liturgical year begins on the First Sunday of Advent during the preceding calendar year, and it includes seasons such as Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time, Lent, and Easter. Each Sunday is a holy day of obligation, and feast days are celebrated throughout the year, such as the Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King and the Feast of the Holy Family. The liturgical calendar provides a framework for the Catholic Church's liturgical celebrations and guides believers through the mystery of Christ.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Liturgical year | Divided into 8 seasons of approximately 7 weeks each, adjusted to fit the solar calendar |
| Cycles | Seasonal cycle (Proper of Time) and sanctoral cycle (Proper of Saints) |
| Seasons | Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time (Time after Epiphany), Lent, Easter, Ordinary Time (Time after Pentecost) |
| Liturgical colours | Purple and rose for Advent; Green for Ordinary Time; Violet or purple for Lent; White for most days of Easter and red for Pentecost |
| Liturgical seasons | Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter |
| Liturgical calendar | Begins with the Advent season, marking the beginning of the Liturgical Calendar |
| Feast days | Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, Feast of Christ the King, Feast of the Holy Family, Solemnity of Mary, Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception |
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What You'll Learn
The liturgical year
Advent is a time of waiting and preparing for the coming of Jesus. It refers to both the anniversary celebration of the Incarnation and the second and final coming. The liturgical colours of Advent are purple and rose, with rose being used only on the third Sunday of Advent. The Christmas season begins with the celebration of the birth of Jesus and lasts 12 days, from Christmas Eve (December 24) to the Feast of the Epiphany (January 6).
Lent is a 40-day liturgical season that initiates the most sacred part of the Christian year. It begins on Ash Wednesday, covers six Sundays, and ends at the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday. During Lent, Catholics meditate on the great Paschal mystery, the salvation God offers to sinners through the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Easter is the greatest feast of the liturgical year and celebrates the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus. The day of Easter varies from year to year but is celebrated on the Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox. The Easter season begins with the Easter Vigil on Easter Sunday and ends 50 days later with Pentecost Sunday.
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Seasonal cycles
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 in the Catholic Church is characterised by alternating fasts and feasts. The year is divided into eight seasons of approximately seven weeks each, adjusted to fit the solar calendar.
The liturgical year begins with the Advent season, which is a time of waiting and preparing for the coming of Jesus. This season usually begins in late November or early December and ends on December 24. The liturgical colours of Advent are purple and rose, with rose being used only on the third Sunday of Advent.
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 colours of Christmas are gold and white.
The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday and lasts until the final Saturday before Easter, also known as Holy Saturday. This is a penitential season that recalls the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert and the Israelites' 40 years of wandering. Lent is a highlight in the Catholic calendar, during which believers meditate on the great Paschal mystery. The liturgical colours of Lent are violet or purple.
The Easter season is the greatest feast of the liturgical year, celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus. It begins with the Easter Vigil on the evening before Easter Sunday and ends 50 days later with Pentecost Sunday. The liturgical colours of Easter are white, and red for Pentecost.
Ordinary Time is the longest liturgical season. It resumes after Pentecost and runs until the final Saturday before Advent. The liturgical colour of Ordinary Time is green, although other colours may be worn on particular feast days. The final Sunday in Ordinary Time is the Feast of Christ the King.
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Sanctoral cycles
The liturgical year in the Catholic Church is divided into two main cycles: the Temporal Cycle (Proper of Time) and the Sanctoral Cycle (Proper of Saints). The Sanctoral Cycle refers to the celebration of various saints of the Church throughout the year. It includes fixed feasts, which are celebrated on the same date each year, regardless of the day of the week. These include Christmas and all the saints' days.
The Sanctoral Cycle is an essential component of the Liturgical Year, honouring the Blessed Mary, Mother of God, and celebrating her inseparable bond with the saving work of her Son. The Church also includes days devoted to the memory of martyrs and other saints, who have achieved the paschal mystery through their suffering and glory.
The Sanctoral Cycle includes feast days, which celebrate saints or events of great importance to the Church. For example, the cycle days for the Apostles and Evangelists (Gospel writers) are feast days. The birthday of Mary (8 September) and the conversion of Saint Paul (25 January) are also celebrated as feast days.
Memorials are obligatory and must be celebrated in the liturgy of the Church. For example, 4 October is the Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi. There are also optional memorials, such as Saint Nicholas Day (6 December), where the priest can choose to use the prayers for Saint Nicholas or the prayers for that day in Advent.
The Sanctoral Cycle is an integral part of the Liturgical Year, enriching the calendar with celebrations of saints and martyrs who have achieved glory and proclaimed the paschal mystery.
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Liturgical colours
The liturgical colours in the Catholic Church include white, red, black, green, violet or purple, rose, gold, and silver. The first person to systematize the Roman Catholic colour scheme was Pope Innocent III in the 13th century. The current six liturgical colours were established in 1570 with the Roman Missal after the Council of Trent.
- White: White is often used during joyful occasions and feast days. It is commonly worn during the Easter season, celebrating Christ's resurrection and the descent of the Holy Spirit. White is also used for nuptial Masses. In the Coptic tradition, white is the primary colour for vestments, with gold and silver considered variations of white.
- Red: Red holds significance during the sacrament of confirmation and is worn on the last Sunday of October, commemorating the Reformation initiated by Martin Luther. It is also used during the Period of End Times in some Lutheran churches. In the Ethiopian liturgical tradition, red is used alongside gold and blue on vestments during Passion Week.
- Black: Black is typically associated with mourning and penance. In the Coptic tradition, black vestments are used during Passion Week.
- Green: Green is the liturgical colour of Ordinary Time, the longest liturgical season. It symbolizes hope and life, focusing on Christ's reign and the age of the Church.
- Violet or Purple: Violet or purple is used during Advent, symbolizing waiting and preparing for the coming of Jesus. It is also the colour of Lent, a penitential season recalling Jesus' time in the desert and his passion.
- Rose: Rose is used on the third Sunday of Advent, adding a joyful tone to the season.
- Gold and Silver: Gold and silver are considered precious metals and are used on special occasions. In the Byzantine Rite, service books specify "light" or "dark" vestments, with gold and silver being valuable additions.
It is important to note that while these colours have established meanings, their usage may vary slightly between different Catholic traditions and regions. Additionally, the choice of colour is not solely decorative but serves to visually connect Catholics to the mysteries of the liturgical year.
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Liturgical seasons
The liturgical year in the Catholic Church consists of a seasonal cycle and a sanctoral cycle, called the Proper of Time and the Proper of Saints, respectively. The liturgical seasons are as follows:
Advent
Advent is a time of watchful, joyful, and hopeful preparation for the coming of the Lord, encompassing both the ""first coming" of Jesus (Christmas) and his "second coming" (Parousia). It begins on the First Sunday of Advent during the preceding calendar year and lasts for about four weeks. The liturgical colours of Advent are purple and rose, with rose being used only on the third Sunday of Advent.
Christmas
The Christmas season begins with the celebration of the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve. It lasts for 12 days, until Epiphany, and includes the time from Epiphany to the Baptism of the Lord. The liturgical colour of Christmas is white.
Ordinary Time I
Also known as "Ordered Time" or the "Season of the Year", Ordinary Time I begins after the Christmas season and runs until Lent, which starts on Ash Wednesday. It varies in length between four and nine weeks. Anglicans and some Protestant Christians refer to this period as the "Season of Epiphany".
Lent
Lent is a season of preparation for Easter, with a penitential and baptismal character. It begins with Ash Wednesday and lasts until Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday. Lent is a 40-day period that recalls the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert and the 40 years the Israelites wandered in the desert. The liturgical colours of Lent are violet or purple.
Easter
The Easter season begins with the Easter Vigil, celebrated after nightfall on the evening before Easter Sunday. It is a joyous, celebratory season that lasts for 50 days, from Easter Sunday through Pentecost. The liturgical colours of Easter are white, with red for Pentecost.
Ordinary Time II
Ordinary Time II is the longest liturgical season, lasting up to 34 weeks. It resumes after Pentecost and runs until the final Saturday before Advent. This period focuses on Christ's reign as King of kings and the age of the Church.
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Frequently asked questions
The liturgical calendar is an arrangement of liturgical seasons that leads believers to the eschatological fulfillment (i.e. the heavenly bliss) through a focus on the historical life of Jesus Christ.
The liturgical calendar is divided into eight seasons of approximately seven weeks each, adjusted to fit the solar calendar. The seasons in Western Christian liturgical calendars are Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time (Time after Epiphany), Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time (Time after Pentecost).
The liturgical colour of Ordinary Time is green. However, other colours are worn on particular feast days, such as white for Marian feast days and red for Pentecost.
