Introduction to Liturgical Time

1. Conceptualizing Time n Circular n Linear n Spiral n Plateau n Random

2. Daily Cycles: Solar

2.1. Methods of Calculating the Day n Jewish: sunset to sunset (divisions = “evening, morning, noon” [Ps 55:17]) n Greek: sunrise to sunrise (divisions = dawn, noon, dusk, midnight) n Roman: midnight to midnight (12 daylight hours + four night watches)

2.2. Pre-Vatican II Roman Rite Liturgy of the Hours n Matins = night vigil n Prime = “first hour” prayer n Lauds = dawn prayer n T[i]erce = “third hour” prayer n Sext = “sixth hour” prayer n None[s] = “ninth hour” prayer n Vespers = dusk prayer n Compline = bedtime prayer

2.3. Post Vatican II Roman Rite Liturgy of the Hours n Office of Readings = vigil or spiritual reading n Morning Prayer = dawn prayer n Midmorning / Midday / Midafternoon Prayer = all three or only one of three n Evening Prayer = dusk prayer n Night Prayer = bedtime

3. Weekly Cycles: Lunar

3.1. Methods of Calculating the Week n Week = quadration of a lunation n Roman = kalends, “x before nonas”, nonas, “x before ides”, ides, “x after ides” n Mythological = sun, moon, Mars, Mercury, Jove, Venus, Saturn n Jewish = first - fifth day, preparation day, Sabbath

3.2. Jewish Weekly Cycles n Sabbath = weekly restful feast n Preparation Day = day before Sabbath n Fast Days = second day (Monday), fifth day (Thursday)

3.3. Christian Weekly Cycles n Lord’s Day = First Day Assembly (Eucharist) n Fast Days = fourth day (Wednesday) = betrayal of Jesus, sixth day (Friday) = crucifixion of Jesus n Sabbath = Marian

4. Monthly Cycles: Lunar

4.1. Jewish Monthly Cycles n New Moon = beginning of the month n Canaanite names = based on the agricultural events (e.g., “Ziv” = “the time of opening flowers”) n Babylonian names = based on mythological figures (e.g., “Tamuz” = god of growth, “Yiar” = month dedicated to Ishtar)

5. Yearly Cycles: Solar

5.1. Methods of Calculating the Year n Astronomical = winter solstice, spring equinox, summer solstice, autumn equinox n Seasonal = planting/harvesting or hot and dry / cool and rainy n Problem of determining the beginning of the year (e.g., calendar year, fiscal year, school year, liturgical year)

5.2. Jewish Yearly Festivals: The “Hag” Pilgrimage Festivals n Pesach (“Passover”) = first full moon after the spring equinox n Massoth (“Unleavened Bread”) = seven- day festival begun with Pesach n Shavuot (“Weeks”) = fifty days after Pesach n Sukkoth (“Tabernacles, Huts, Booths”) = 15 Tishri

5.3. Christian Yearly Festivals n Incarnation Cycle (winter solistice) = Christmas / Advent / Christmastide [N.B. Jesus and John the Baptist] n Redemption Cycle (spring equinox) = Easter Triduum / Quadragesima (“Lent”) / Pentecoste (“Eastertide) n Sanctoral Cycle