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Living the Liturgical Year
As we gather for Eucharist each Sunday we notice the color of the priest’s and deacon’s vestment change throughout the liturgical year. We may see green, white, purple (or violet), or red. Hymns and readings also change. All of these changing elements help us to recognize the feast or season of the liturgical year we are celebrating.
The liturgical year is the cycle of seasons and great feasts that make up the Church’s year of worship. The main seasons of the Church year are Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter Triduum, Easter, and Ordinary Time. All of the liturgical seasons are about our journey to God and the transformation of our own lives. The liturgical year provides us with an opportunity to embrace sacred time.
The Calendar of the Liturgical Seasons
Advent begins on the eve of the fourth Sunday before Christmas until Christmas Eve. During Advent, the church celebrates God’s coming among us. We get ready to remember Jesus’ birth on Christmas Day. We remember Jesus’ promise to come again.
Christmas Season begins on Christmas Eve and continues until the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. We remember and celebrate that the son of God, Jesus the Savior, came and lived among us.
Ordinary Time/Part 1 begins the days after the feast of the Baptism of the Lord and continues until the day before Ash Wednesday. We listen to what Jesus said and did and learn ways to live as his followers.
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday until sundown on Holy Thursday. With the help of the Holy Spirit we strive to grow in our life in Christ. We support those preparing to be baptized at Easter. We prepare to renew our own baptismal promises.
Paschal or Easter Triduum begins at sundown on Holy Thursday and continues until sundown on Easter Sunday. This three-day celebration is at the heart and center of the liturgical year.
Easter Season begins on Easter Sunday and continues until Pentecost. For fifty days we joyfully reflect on the Resurrection and our new life in Christ. On the fiftieth day of the celebration, we celebrate the feast of Pentecost.
Ordinary Time/Part 2 begins the day after Pentecost and continues until the day before Advent begins. We listen to what Jesus said and did and learn ways to live our lives as his followers.
The Liturgical Colors
Purple/Violet: The liturgical colors are highly symbolic and reflect the mood of that particular season. For Advent the color purple or violet symbolizes the darkness and sin and the royalty of Jesus. Similarly in Lent these colors remind us of sin on one hand and the greatness of Jesus on the other hand.
White or Gold: The white or gold of Christmas Season symbolizes the joy that Jesus brings to our world and to our hearts. For Easter these colors symbolize the joy and victory of the Risen Lord.
Red: Red is used on Palm Sunday and Good Friday, reminding us of faithfulness and courage. Red is also used on Pentecost, reminding us of the life of the Holy Spirit.
Green: The green of Ordinary Time is the universal symbol of life and growth.
Rose: The color rose is used two times a year—at the midpoint of Advent and Lent. This color lifts the penitential spirit of both seasons to a spirit of joy.
The Lectionary Readings
Vatican II expanded the cycle of Sunday readings from one year to three (Years A, B, and C). The three synoptic Gospels --Matthew, Mark, and Luke -- were assigned for each year. In general Matthew, Mark, and Luke provide a sequential narrative of the life and ministry of Jesus. The Gospel of John, which is very different in character and purpose from the synoptic gospels, fills in at certain times during Years A, B, and C and is primarily reserved for the Easter season in all three cycles.
