Grace Thompson
The Catholic Lectionary is a collection of readings and responsorial psalms assigned for Mass throughout the year. The readings are divided by day or theme and are not arranged according to the books of the Bible. The Lectionary follows a three-year cycle for Sunday readings and a two-year cycle for weekday readings. The year of the cycle changes on the First Sunday of Advent, usually between November 27 and December 3, which marks the beginning of the liturgical year. For example, 2025 is Sunday Cycle C and Weekday Year I, while 2026 is Sunday Cycle A and Weekday Year II. The Lectionary provides a diverse selection of readings, including those for feasts, common celebrations, ritual Masses, and various special occasions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current year | 2025 |
| Sunday readings | Cycle C |
| Weekday readings | Year I |
| Gospels | Read semi-continuously, beginning with Mark, then Matthew, Luke, and John during Easter |
| First reading on weekdays | From the Old or New Testament |
| Readings during Advent, Christmas, and Lent | Chosen to be appropriate for the season |
| Readings for weekdays | Arranged in a two-year cycle |
| Readings for Sundays | Arranged in a three-year cycle |
| Readings for feasts of saints, common celebrations, ritual Masses, votive Masses, and various needs | Included |
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What You'll Learn
The Catholic liturgical year begins on the First Sunday of Advent
The lectionary is composed of these readings and psalms, which are assigned for each Mass throughout the year. These include not only Sundays but also weekdays and special occasions. The readings are chosen based on the day or theme, such as baptism, marriage, or vocations, rather than following the sequence of books in the Bible. Introductions and conclusions are added to provide context and enhance comprehension.
The Catholic Church follows a three-year cycle for Sunday readings and a two-year cycle for weekday readings. The year 2025, for instance, is designated as Sunday Cycle C and Weekday Year I. This means that in 2025, the Catholic Church is in the third year of the Sunday readings and the first year of the weekday readings.
During the liturgical year, the Gospels are read semi-continuously, starting with Mark, followed by Matthew, and then Luke. The Gospel of John is specifically reserved for the Easter season. For significant seasons like Advent, Christmas, and Lent, the readings are carefully selected to align with the spirit of the season.
The lectionary also includes readings for various occasions within the Catholic Church, such as feasts of the saints, common celebrations, ritual Masses (weddings, funerals, etc.), votive Masses, and diverse needs. The liturgical calendar guides the selection of readings and themes, ensuring a comprehensive exploration of the Bible throughout the year.
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Sunday readings follow a three-year cycle
The Catholic Church follows a three-year cycle of Sunday readings, also known as the liturgical year. Each year 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 read during solemnities and Holy Week, as well as during the Easter season of every year. The liturgical year begins on the First Sunday of Advent, which falls between November 27 and December 3.
The three-year cycle of readings was established by the Catholic Church after the Second Vatican Council to provide more variety than the previous yearly cycle of readings. This change aimed to emphasize the Word of God and offer a broader selection of biblical passages to the lay faithful. The General Introduction to the Lectionary states that the arrangement of readings "provides the faithful with a knowledge of the whole of God's word, in a pattern suited to the purpose."
During the liturgical year, the choice and sequence of readings are carefully selected to give deeper meaning and understanding to the seasons of Easter, Lent, and Advent. The readings are not arranged according to the books of the Bible but are divided by day or theme, such as baptism, marriage, or vocations. Each individual reading in the Lectionary is called a pericope, derived from the Greek word meaning a "section" or "cutting."
To determine the current year in the three-year cycle, a simple method is to add the digits of the calendar year and check if the sum is divisible by three. For example, in the year 2019, the sum of the digits is 12 (2 + 0 + 1 + 9 = 12), which is divisible by three, making it "Year C." Following this pattern, 2020 would be "Year A," 2021 would be "Year B," and so on. However, it's worth noting that the liturgical year doesn't align exactly with the calendar year, as it begins in Advent, which can fall in late November or early December.
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Weekday readings follow a two-year cycle
The Catholic Lectionary is composed of the readings and the responsorial psalm assigned for each Mass of the year, including Sundays, weekdays, and special occasions. The readings are divided by the day or theme (baptism, marriage, vocations, etc.) rather than according to the books of the Bible.
The Lectionary is arranged in two cycles: one for Sundays and one for weekdays. Weekday readings follow a two-year cycle, with odd-numbered years using the selections for "Year 1" and even-numbered years using "Year 2". For instance, 2025 is Sunday Cycle C and Weekday Year I, while 2026 is Sunday Cycle A and Weekday Year II.
During the year, the Gospels are read semi-continuously, starting with Mark, then moving on to Matthew and Luke. The Gospel of John is reserved for the Easter season. For liturgical seasons like Advent, Christmas, and Lent, readings are chosen that are appropriate to the season. The first reading on weekdays can be taken from either the Old or New Testament. Typically, a single book is read semi-continuously until it is finished, and then a new book is started.
It's important to note that not all of the Bible is included in the Lectionary. Individual readings in the Lectionary, called pericopes, are only portions of a book or chapter. Introductions and conclusions are often added to each reading to provide context, such as "In those days" or "Jesus said to his disciples."
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The Gospels are read semi-continuously throughout the year
The Catholic Lectionary is arranged in two cycles: one for Sundays and one for weekdays. The Sunday cycle is further divided into three years, labelled A, B, and C. Each year focuses on a different Gospel: Matthew in Year A, Mark and John in Year B, and Luke in Year C. The Gospel of John is also read during the Easter season in all three years.
For special seasons like Advent, Christmas, and Lent, readings are chosen that are appropriate to the season. The Gospel of John, for instance, is read during these seasons. The first reading on weekdays may be taken from either the Old Testament or the New Testament.
The liturgical year does not change on January 1st but on the First Sunday of Advent, usually in late November or early December. This is when the new "Liturgical Year" begins. For example, the liturgical year 2021 began on November 29, 2020, and ended on November 27, 2021. Year A of the Sunday cycle will begin on November 27, 2022, and continue through December 2, 2023.
In addition to the Sunday and weekday cycles, the Lectionary provides readings for various occasions, such as feasts of the saints, common celebrations, ritual Masses (weddings, funerals, baptisms, etc.), votive Masses, and other needs.
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The Lectionary provides readings for saints' feasts, common celebrations, and ritual Masses
The Catholic Lectionary is composed of the readings and the responsorial psalm assigned for each Mass of the year (Sundays, weekdays, and special occasions). The readings are divided by the day or the theme (baptism, marriage, vocations, etc.) rather than according to the books of the Bible. The Lectionary provides readings for saints' feasts, common celebrations, and ritual Masses, in addition to the Sunday and weekday cycles.
For saints' feasts, the Lectionary provides two sets of scripture readings: the "Proper of Saints" and the "Common of Saints". The “Proper of Saints” includes specific readings for each saint, while the “Common of Saints” provides lists of recommended readings that can be freely chosen for the celebrations of various types or classes of saints. There are six specific classes: Anniversary of the Dedication of a Church, Blessed Virgin Mary, Martyrs, Pastors, Doctors of the Church (great teachers), and Virgins. There is also a general class: Holy Men and Women. Most Memorials and Optional Memorials now have specific readings in the Lectionary for Mass, but one may also choose other selections from the "Common" readings recommended for that class of saint.
The patron saint of a diocese, parish, or religious order is considered a "Feast" important enough to supplant a Sunday of Ordinary Time, if necessary. For example, Our Lady of Guadalupe is a "Memorial" in most of the world, but is ranked as a "Feast" in the Americas. Similarly, St. Ignatius Loyola is a "Memorial" in most of the world, but a "Feast" on the particular calendar of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits).
The Lectionary also provides readings for common celebrations such as Marian feasts and ritual Masses (weddings, funerals, etc.). In addition, there are readings for votive Masses and Masses for various needs. For instance, on weekdays in Ordinary Time, the priest may choose to celebrate the Mass of any Saint inscribed in the Martyrology for that day or a Mass for Various Needs.
The liturgical year in the Catholic Church begins on the First Sunday of Advent, usually between November 27 and December 3, and ends on the Saturday before the First Sunday of Advent of the following year. For instance, the year 2025 is Sunday Cycle C and Weekday Year I, while 2026 is Sunday Cycle A and Weekday Year II.
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Frequently asked questions
A Lectionary is composed of the readings and the responsorial psalm assigned for each Mass of the year (Sundays, weekdays, and special occasions).
2025 is Sunday Cycle C and Weekday Year I.
2026 is Sunday Cycle A and Weekday Year II.
2027 is Sunday Cycle B and Weekday Year I.
2028 is Sunday Cycle C and Weekday Year II.
