Liturgical Year of the Church Calendar

The Eucharistic rituals of the Church take place within the context of the liturgical year or “Church calendar.” Just as the seasons of the earth alert us to the changing beauty of creation and its cyclic message of life through death, the Church’s liturgical seasons unfold the life-producing mysteries of the salvation that comes through life in Christ.

The “Church calendar” provides us with the opportunity of sharing humankind’s hope for life – a life revealed in Christ, his birth, his public ministry, his death, his resurrection, the sending of the Spirit, and the foundation of the Church. The “Church calendar” also helps the Christian community to deepen its identity as a people, and to give thanks to God for its past, present and future.

Advent is a time of expectation, preparation and waiting for the coming of the Messiah. The Church recalls the long and stormy history of the Jewish people, reflects on the words of the prophets, and introduces John the Baptist. The Church also looks forward to the time when the purpose of Christ’s coming will be fulfilled. Purple vestments are worn as a symbol of expectation.

Christmas is a time of joyful acknowledgement of Christ as Savior, God coming to dwell with his people. The role of Mary is acknowledged (January 1), and the nations proclaim Christ as the light of the world (January 6, the Epiphany) – the manifestation of God’s love to all peoples. White vestments denote joy as a sign that God has come among us in Jesus.

Lent is a season of entering into the death of Jesus and of surrendering of ourselves completely to the Father. The Church calls the faithful to a new and more profound conversion culminating in a renewal of their baptismal commitment during the Easter celebration. In a special way Lent is the season of final preparation for those seeking to become members of the Church and who will be baptized at the Easter vigil. The traditional actions of praying, almsgiving, and fasting are intensified to deepen one’s relationship to God, others, and self. There are forty days of Lent, beginning on Ash Wednesday and continuing until Holy Thursday. Violet vestments remind us of our need for penance and conversion.

Holy Week/ Easter Triduum celebrates the last days of the Lord by bringing us with Christ through death to the experience of a new life. Passion (Palm) Sunday commemorates the Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the foreshadowing of his death. Holy Thursday commemorates the institution of the Eucharist and the Lord’s command to serve as he has served. Good Friday remembers the sacrifice of the cross, the pouring out of Christ’s life to seal the new covenant which Christians enter through the waters of baptism. The Easter Triduum culminates in the Easter Vigil service where the meaning of Christ’s life, and especially his death, is proclaimed: “Christ has died! Christ is risen! Christ will come again!”

Easter Season is a continuous feast of fifty days called the “Great Sunday.” The Church continues to rejoice in the new life made possible in Jesus. As this season draws to a dramatic close, the acceptance of Christ’s work by his Father is celebrated by remembering Jesus’ triumphant return to the Father (Ascension Thursday) and his sharing that work with his followers (Pentecost). Pentecost ends this season by recalling the sending of the Holy Spirit upon his followers, empowering them to proclaim the good news to all people. The Church is commissioned. The vestments for Easter are White, symbolizing “new life”; for Pentecost they are red symbolizing the strength of the Spirit – “on fire” with life.

Ordinary Time unfolds the mystery of Christ’s life in all its fullness by recalling for the community the events of the three years of his public ministry. Ordinary time characterizes the periods between Christmas/Lent and Pentecost/Advent. Green is worn as a sign of the continual life and growth of the Church.