The Liturgical Year
Did you know that the Catholic Church goes through seasons? Not like the “seasons” we go through in our lives. For example, my wife says she is in her “baby making season.” It is not like the seasons of the Earth, either. Like the changing of the leaves in Fall, and blooming of the flowers in Spring. I heard of the “Christmas season” and the “Easter season” but all I knew was that those holidays were nearby. I never understand the meaning of the seasons. I learned all about that in my last OCIA meeting.
Let’s dive into the Liturgical Year…
The Church goes through what I’ll refer to as “spiritual seasons” that are based on the historical timeline of Christ. This is referred to as the Liturgical Year which means the Church year. Each year follows a specific pattern, and that is reflected in the prayers and readings that are done at Mass. A few weeks ago, I made a video about understanding the Mass. In it, I shared how I learned that the readings are laid out over three years. During those three years, almost every piece of Scripture is read. From my understanding, they follow along with the Liturgical Year.
The Earth goes through four seasons, but the Church has way more than that. There are seven seasons that make up the Liturgical Year. The first season is Advent. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. It is where we share in the Israelite’s long wait for the Messiah. It is time for joyful anticipation. It is a time where we examine our lives, and participate in the sacrament of penance and reconciliation as we prepare ourselves to celebrate the birth of Christ. Take inventory of your life and conscious. Look honestly at yourself and ask yourself: where do I fall short? What do I need to repent of? How can I better love God, my family, and my neighbor? If you start to beat yourself up, then remember – you may feel (or really be) wretched, but the Savior is born on Christmas Day.
Following Advent, we have the Christmas Season. It is a joyful time where we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The party does not stop for Catholics on December 26th, it keeps going until the Baptism of the Lord in early January. Many Catholics will leave up the Christmas tree, sing hymns, display the Nativity scene, and more…long after the secular world packs up their decorations.
While growing up, Christmas was always a time for presents, lights, classic movies, and family. It was void of the true meaning of the season – the birth of Jesus. As I got into adulthood, Christmas became less of a holiday and more just another day off. This Catholic walk has begun to breath new life of faith and family into me for this season. Praise be to God!
Next up, we have the first stretch of Ordinary Time. This time runs between Christmas and Lent. It is a time for reflecting on the mystery of Christ’s life and growing as a Church.
The first stretch of Ordinary Time comes to a close, and the next season begins: the season of Lent. It runs from Ash Wednesday to the start of the Easter Triduum (more on that later). On Ash Wednesday, Catholics are marked with ashes on their forehead. The ashes form a cross. Not only does it mark the beginning of Lent, but it also serves as a reminder that us humans are mortal and that we must reconcile with God.
During Lent, Catholics prepare themselves for the holiest days of the year. This is done through prayer, fasting, giving alms, and celebrating the sacrament of penance. Catholics “give up” things for Lent. Not just silly things like chocolate or soda, but behaviors that push them away from God. To sacrifice these things, we are better preparing ourselves for Holy Week and the Easter season.
The Triduum is the fifth season of the Liturgical Year. The word Triduum is Latin for “three days.” It marks the end of the Lenten season, and leads to the Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord at the Easter Vigil. It begins with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday evening. It continues on Good Friday and Holy Saturday, until the evening of Easter Sunday. On this time, the Triduum unfolds the paschal mystery, which is “referring to the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, by which he brought about salvation for all humanity.”
When the Triduum ends, the greatest celebration begins: the Easter Season. During this season, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and his victory over sin and death. It is not kept to one day of year, but fifty days of celebration! This lasts from Easter Sunday through Pentecost Sunday.
Why does Easter fall on a different date every year? Well, I learned that too! Here is a quote pulled directly from the OCIA material:
“Since Jesus died during the Jewish Passover festival, the date of Easter is calculated accordingly. At the Council of Nicaea (AD 325), it was decided that Easter, the Christian Passover, should be celebrated on the Sunday after the first full moon following the first day of Spring. This means Easter doesn’t occur on the same date each year—unlike Christmas, which always falls on December 25.”
Then, we go into the second stretch of Ordinary Time. This follows the Easter Season and ends the last Sunday before Advent. Again, it is a time for reflecting on the mystery of Christ’s life and growing as a Church.
Before we go, I’d like to share a quote from the OCIA material. As I read it, it helped me connect my life to the Liturgical Year, as well as deepen my understanding. I hope it has the same effect for you:
“Our lives follow rhythms similar to the cycle of the Church year. Whether these rhythms are in step or not, the Church guides us through the cycle and seasons of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
“On our high days— times of discovery, accomplishment, fulfillment, commitment, and authenticity— the Church shows us how to celebrate these gifts with joy.
“In times of disappointment, struggle, weakness, failure, and loss, the Church reminds us that light follows darkness, spring follows winter, and Easter follows Good Friday.
“In times of coming and going, falling down and getting back up, learning to love and asking for forgiveness, the Church reminds us of God’s faithful and enduring presence.
“As we move through the liturgical year, with its different themes and postures of the heart, we support and celebrate the times of Advent waiting and Christmas celebrations, the sorrows of Good Friday and Easter joys of new life and community. The Church year helps us connect our own stories with the story of God, helping us find greater meaning in every part of life.”
I’ll leave it right there. Thank you so much for reading, God bless.
