Ethan Walker
The Catholic Church follows a liturgical calendar that is divided into different seasons, each with its own significance and rituals. The liturgical year begins with Advent, a period of preparation for Christmas, and marks the transition between lectionary cycles (A, B, or C). These cycles were introduced by the Second Vatican Council to provide Catholics with a varied selection of readings from the Bible, focusing on the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The current cycle can be determined by checking if the digits of the calendar year are divisible by three; if they are, it is Year C. Aside from the liturgical seasons, the Catholic Church also observes special feasts and solemnities, such as the Feast of Christmas and the Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. Ordinary Time, a season of growth and maturation, fills the gaps between these liturgical seasons and feasts, focusing on Christ's life and our participation in it.
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What You'll Learn
The liturgical year
Advent marks the beginning of the liturgical year and is a time of preparation for the coming of Jesus. It is followed by the Christmas season, which celebrates the Incarnation, Nativity, and Birth of Jesus Christ. The length of the Christmas season varies annually.
Ordinary Time is a season of growth and maturation, where the mystery of Christ is called to penetrate deeply into history. It is represented by the colour green, a symbol of growth and new life. During Ordinary Time, Christians are called to participate in the everyday life of Jesus and examine their habits.
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Year A, B or C
The Catholic Church follows a liturgical calendar that is divided into different seasons, each with its own significance and focus. One aspect of this liturgical calendar is the three-year cycle of Sunday readings at Mass, known as Year A, Year B, and Year C. This cycle was established following the Second Vatican Council to provide more varied Bible readings and emphasise the Word of God.
Year A
Year A is dedicated to the Gospel of St. Matthew. It focuses on the teachings and life of Jesus Christ, including his ministry, parables, and miracles. Year A also emphasises Jesus' role as the Messiah and the fulfilment of prophecies from the Old Testament.
Year B
Year B centres around the Gospel of St. Mark. It highlights Jesus' humanity and his journey towards Jerusalem, where he faced suffering and death. The Gospel of Mark is shorter than the others, so it is often supplemented with readings from Matthew and Luke during Year B.
Year C
Year C is associated with the Gospel of St. Luke. It explores Jesus' compassion and his interactions with the marginalised and those in need. Year C also emphasises the joy and hope found in Jesus' message of salvation.
To determine which year the Catholic Church is currently in for the Sunday readings, a simple method is to add the digits of the calendar year and see if they are divisible by three. If the sum is divisible by three, it is Year C; otherwise, further calculations can be made to identify Years A or B. For example, for the year 2023, we add 2+0+2+3, which equals 7. Since 7 is not divisible by 3, we know it is not Year C.
The liturgical calendar also includes seasons such as Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time, Lent, and Easter, each with its own unique focus and spiritual practices. Ordinary Time, for instance, is a period of growth and maturation, where Catholics reflect on the everyday life of Jesus and strive for personal conversion. It is a time to deepen one's faith and participate actively in the liturgical season.
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Ordinary Time
The term 'Ordinary Time' refers to the part of the liturgical year in the liturgy of the Roman Rite that falls outside the two major seasons of Christmastide and Eastertide, or their respective preparatory seasons of Advent and Lent. Ordinary Time includes the days between Christmastide and Lent, and Eastertide and Advent.
The liturgical colour assigned to Ordinary Time is green, which symbolises growth and new life. Ordinary Time typically lasts 33 to 34 weeks, depending on how other Catholic feast days fall. The weeks are identified or counted by ordinal numerals, from the 1st week of Ordinary Time in January to the 34th week that begins towards the end of November. The days are denoted by the passing of time, with each day belonging to a particular week of Ordinary Time.
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Advent
The Catholic Church's liturgical calendar year begins with Advent, which starts on the Sunday that falls on or is closest to November 30. The season of Advent includes the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to Christmas. The word "Advent" comes from the Latin word "adventus", meaning "coming", and refers to the coming birth of Jesus Christ and his Second Coming.
During Advent, the priest wears violet or purple, and the church and altar are more modestly decorated. The "O Antiphons", ancient prayers traditionally used during the last week of Advent, are also sung during this period. Additionally, Advent wreaths are lit, with one candle lit on each of the four Sundays, symbolising hope, faith, joy, and peace.
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Lent
In the Catholic Church, the liturgical year is structured around the life of Christ, with each season serving a unique purpose. One of the most important periods in the Catholic calendar is Lent, a solemn season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that precedes Easter.
Fasting is a key component of Lent, with abstinence from meat observed on Fridays and Ash Wednesday. However, fasting should be a healthy and respectful practice, accommodating legitimate reasons such as health conditions or old age. Beyond food, individuals may also choose to give up other indulgences or habits as a form of personal penance. Sundays during Lent are considered days of feasting, providing a break from penance and fasting, often referred to as "mini-Easters."
In addition to fasting, almsgiving or charitable acts are encouraged during Lent. This includes donating time, money, clothing, or food to those in need, embodying the selflessness that Jesus taught and lived out during his earthly ministry. Prayer is also emphasized during this season, with Catholics attending Mass and Reconciliation to deepen their relationship with God and gain a greater understanding of Christ's sacrifice.
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Frequently asked questions
Year A, Year B, and Year C.
Each year is dedicated to a different Gospel. Year A is dedicated 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 used for solemnities and during Holy Week.
One simple way to determine the cycle year is to add the digits of the calendar year and see if they are divisible by three. If it is divisible by three, then it is "Year C". If not, subtract that number from 100 and check if that is divisible by three—if it is, then it is "Year A". If neither of these apply, then it is "Year B".
Prior to the Second Vatican Council, the Catholic Church had a yearly cycle of readings that did not change. The Church decided to provide more varied selections from the Bible, creating a three-year cycle to put more emphasis on the Word of God and open up the Bible to the lay faithful.
