The Liturgical Year

The Liturgical Year Liturgical year = Church year Each liturgical year is made up of a cycle of seasons & feast days. Seasons: Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time, Lent, Triduum, Easter Feast days: examples: Immaculate Conception, Ascension Thursday, etc.

The Liturgical Year The Lectionary = set of readings used for liturgy of the word during celebrations of the Eucharist The Church uses a 3-year cycle for its Sunday Lectionary Year A: Gospel of Matthew Year B: Gospel of Mark (some John is added) Year C: Gospel of Luke

The Liturgical Year

The Liturgical Year and the Calendar Year 2011-2012 Advent: November 27th – December 24th Christmas: December 25th – January 8th Ordinary Time: January 9th – February 21st Lent: February 22nd – April 5th Triduum: April 5th – April 7th Easter: April 8th – May 27th Ordinary Time: May 28th – December 2nd

The Liturgical Year

Advent The word “advent” means “coming.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S02KOlw7dlA&feature=player_embedded The word “advent” means “coming.” During Advent, we reflect on and prepare for 3 “comings” of Christ: past, present, & future. Christ’s birth in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago   Christ’s entrance into our own hearts Christ’s 2nd coming “in the fullness of time”

advent Advent is the beginning of the liturgical year. Advent begins 4 Sundays before Christmas. The liturgical color of Advent is purple. 3rd Sunday = Pink The Advent wreath helps us remember several concepts:   God is eternal (circle) Life is enduring (evergreen) Christ is the light of the world (candles)

The Christmas Season Celebrates the Incarnation & Manifestation of Christ Incarnation- becoming flesh (human) Manifestation – made known to the world Liturgical Colors White & Gold Special Elements Christmas Carols Nativity Scene

The Christmas Season Time Frame Begins December 25th (Christmas) Ends with the Baptism of Jesus (Sunday after January 6th) Includes other important feasts 1st Sunday after Christmas = Feast of the Holy Family January 1st = Solemnity of Mary January 6th = Epiphany (arrival of wise men) 12 Days of Christmas = Dec 25th to Jan 6th

Ordinary Time Most of the church year focus on two celebrations=Christmas and Easter The rest of the church year following Epiphany and Pentecost is known as Ordinary Time Not ordinary in the sense of “common” or “mundane” – but from word “ordinal” meaning counted time- First Sunday after Pentecost etc. The liturgical color is dark green

LENT The word “lent” comes from a Middle English word meaning springtime Lent is a season of preparation for Easter During Lent we focus on repentance The liturgical color of Lent is purple

Lent Time Frame Lent begins on Ash Wednesday The season of Lent lasts 40 days Lent begins on Ash Wednesday Ashes symbolize repentance Lent ends the morning of Holy Thursday

LENT Lenten Practices Fasting & Abstinence Fasting on Ash Wednesday & Good Friday Abstaining from meat on all Fridays of Lent Preparation for adults becoming Catholic R.C.I.A. programs Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults

Lent The 3 Pillars of Lent PRAYER – nurturing your relationship with God http://www.watton.org/clipart/prayer/prayer.shtml FASTING – giving something up to be closer to God http://learnoutlive.com/signs-of-trouble/no-sign/ ALMSGIVING – sharing with those in need http://catholicinasmalltown.libsyn.com/category/podcasts

Making A Lenten Plan Work in a small group (3-4 students) to create a meaningful and realistic plan to observe the 3 pillars of Lent. Come up with SPECIFIC ways someone in your situation can include prayer, fasting, and almsgiving in her observance of Lent.

Holy Week Begins on PALM SUNDAY(a.k.a. Passion Sunday) Foci: Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem Jesus’ Passion Liturgy: 2 Gospel readings: 1 at beginning, 1 at usual time Procession with Palms Reading of the Passion Liturgical color = red Includes the Triduum

Triduum Three days celebrated as one: Holy Thursday Good Friday Holy Saturday/Easter Vigil

Triduum – Holy Thursday Focus: The Lord’s Supper Liturgy: Foot washing Procession with Eucharist No end to the liturgy Liturgical color = white

Triduum – Good Friday Focus: Jesus’ Suffering & Death Liturgy: Communion Service (NOT a Mass—no Eucharistic Prayer) Veneration of the Cross No formal end to the liturgy Liturgical color = red

Triduum – Easter Vigil Focus: Jesus’ Resurrection! Liturgy: Many Scripture readings to tell the story of Salvation History Easter Fire, candles, Easter candle Sacraments of Initiation for RCIA Candidates Liturgical color = white

The Easter Season Celebrates the RESURRECTION of Christ The liturgical colors are white & gold Special elements : Singing Alleluia Sprinkling Rite

The Easter Season Time Frame Begins with the Easter Vigil Lasts 50 days Includes Ascension Thursday (HDoO) 40 days after Easter Ends with the celebration of Pentecost 50 days after Easter