THE LITURGICA

L 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 LectionaryYear A: Gospel of MatthewYear B: Gospel of Mark (some John is

added)Year C: Gospel of Luke

THE LITURGICAL YEAR

THE LITURGICAL YEAR The Liturgical Year and the

Calendar Year 2011-2012Advent: 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 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S02KOlw7dlA&feature=playe

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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 ColorsWhite & Gold

Special ElementsChristmas CarolsNativity 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

The season of Lent lasts 40 daysLent begins on Ash WednesdayAshes 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 ThursdayGood FridayHoly Saturday/Easter Vigil

TRIDUUM – HOLY THURSDAY Focus:

The Lord’s Supper

Liturgy:Foot washing Procession with EucharistNo end to the liturgyLiturgical color = white

TRIDUUM – GOOD FRIDAY Focus:

Jesus’ Suffering & Death

Liturgy:Communion Service

(NOT a Mass—no Eucharistic Prayer)

Veneration of the CrossNo formal end to the liturgyLiturgical 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 VigilLasts 50 days

Includes Ascension Thursday (HDoO)

40 days after EasterEnds with the celebration of Pentecost50 days after Easter