WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT LITURGICAL SEASONS OF THE CATHOLIC LITURGICAL YEAR?

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT LITURGICAL SEASONS OF THE LITURGICAL YEAR?

In her desire to unite her faithful to Our Lord Jesus Christ, our Holy Mother Catholic Church celebrates the sacred mysteries of the life of her founder — Birth, Hidden Life, Public life, Passion, Death, Resurrection and Ascension of Our Lord, and His Second Coming during the Final Judgment — throughout the entire Catholic liturgical year, which, in turn, is divided into different liturgical seasons.

What are the different liturgical seasons of the liturgical year of the Catholic Church?

1. ADVENT (from 1st Sunday of Advent to December 24 afternoon inclusive)

• The season of Advent is a 4-week preparation for the Coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Know more in What is Advent?)
• It comes from adventus, a Latin word which means arrival, coming or presence of someone or some event.
• It starts at Sunday after the last Sunday of Ordinary Time (Solemnity of Christ the King).
• Color of vestments: VIOLET

2. CHRISTMAS (eve prior to December 25 till January 12, Feast of Our Lord’s Baptism)

• Christmas season starts from the eve prior to December 25 (Commemoration of the Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ) till January 12, the feast of Our Lord’s Baptism.
• This season commemorates Our Lord’s Birth in Bethlehem and the other events which occurred immediately after: the Visit and adoration of the Magi, the Feast of the Holy Innocents, the Flight to Egypt, the feast of the Holy Family (Sunday after Christmas), and the feast of Our Lord’s Baptism.
• Basically, we celebrate the mysteries of the Hidden life of Our Lord during Christmas season.
• Color of vestments: WHITE

3. ORDINARY TIME*

• Ordinary time is a season which refers to the period when Jesus began His Public ministry, evangelizing the peoples of Israel.
• This season consists in 34 weeks, which begins on the day after January 13 and culminates with the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (which celebrates the Second Coming of Our Lord during the Final Judgment).
• This season is divided into 2 parts: the weeks before Lent, and the weeks after Easter season has ended.
• Color of vestments: GREEN

4. LENT (starts on Ash Wednesday till the Saturday of the 4th week of Lent inclusive)

• Lent starts on Ash Wednesday and ends on the Saturday of the 4th week of Lent.
• It is a 40-day preparation for the commemoration of the Paschal Mystery (=Passion, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord) during the Holy Week, an interior preparation of personal conversion.
• Color of vestments: VIOLET

5. HOLY WEEK (from Palm Sunday to Holy Saturday inclusive)

• Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday and ends on the eve of Easter Sunday. It commemorates the Passion and Death of Our Lord on the Cross for our Salvation, in what is called the Sacred Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil)
• Color of vestments:
  • Palm Sunday: RED
  • Holy Thursday: WHITE OR GOLD
  • Good Friday: RED

6. EASTER (from the Easter vigil to Pentecost inclusive)

• Easter begins on Easter eve which commemorates the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and ends on Pentecost Sunday.
• It also consists in the 7 weeks which narrate Our Lord’s appearance to his disciples after rising from the dead, his Ascension into Heaven and the Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles.
• After Easter, the Church resumes its liturgical year with the Ordinary Time which ends on the Saturday after the Christ the King Sunday. And a new liturgical year and season begins…
• Color of vestments: WHITE OR GOLD

* ORDINARY TIME

• After Easter, the Church resumes its liturgical year with the Ordinary Time which ends on the Saturday after the Christ the King Sunday. And a new liturgical year and season begins…

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