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Liturgical Year
STUDY GUIDE
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Year LITURGICAL YEAR STUDY GUIDE
We remember important dates and events
through the use of calendars. Birthdays, dentist
appointments, soccer practice and other important
events that we must not miss are recorded into
our calendars and mobile devices to help us plan
and prepare for what is to come. Likewise in the
Roman Catholic Church, there is also a way to
remember all that is about to happen known as
the liturgical calendar. The liturgical year is the
cycle of seasons and feasts celebrating the
presence of the risen Christ with us. The liturgical
year begin with the first Sunday of Advent

Ordinary Time
Ordinary Time is a season during which the
Scripture readings help us to recall the teachings
of Jesus and learn our responsibilities as
disciples. We also celebrate the lives of the saints,
who are our models of faith. The green color of
Ordinary Time is a color symbolizing hope. We
are confident in the truth of our Lord’s teaching
and of our place in God’s kingdom with all the
saints who have gone before us.

This season is divided into two parts. The first part
may last as many as nine weeks and marks the time
between Christmas and Lent. It begins with the Feast
of the Baptism of the Lord.
The Liturgical Year
Each season in the liturgical year observes a time in
Jesus’ life, including his death, Resurrection, and
Ascension.

The second part begins with Pentecost and continues until the new liturgical year in late November.
Near the end of the liturgical year, we celebrate the Feast of All Saints. The last Sunday of the church
year is the Feast of Christ the King.

Seasons and Holy Days of Obligation

Advent – Sunday, December 1, 2012

Advent is the first season of the liturgical year. It is a time of preparation for Jesus’ birth. There are four
Sundays in Advent. It ends on Christmas Eve. Mary’s feasts of the Immaculate Conception and Our
Lady of Guadalupe occur in Advent. On each Sunday except the third, the color purple is used. The
color of the third Sunday is rose, which tells us that it is almost time for rejoicing! [Because feasts of
Mary are in Advent, some parishes used the color dark blue instead of purple.]

During Advent we remember our Old Testament ancestors and how God prepared the world for Jesus’
coming. We prepare for the Lord’s coming in many ways. We reflect on the first Christmas, and we
think about Christ’s coming at the end of time to establish God’s kingdom. We also prepare to accept
Jesus into our hearts

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Immaculate Conception – Saturday, December 8, 2012 (Holy Day of Obligation)

We declare, pronounce and define that the doctrine which asserts that the Blessed Virgin Mary, from the
first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God, and in view of the
merits of Jesus Christ, Saviour of the human race, was preserved free from every stain of original sin is a
doctrine revealed by God and, for this reason, must be firmly and constantly believed by all the faithful.

With these words, spoken in 1854, Pope Pius IX, in the Papal Bull ineffabilis Dei, declared Mary's
Immaculate Conception to be dogma. Pius did not invent the concept. Rather, he was affirming a belief
held by many Christians that came before him, from East and West, that Mary was conceived free of the
stain of original sin, on account of Christ's work. God caused this immaculate conception in order to
render Mary a pure vessel to bear God-made-flesh.

Mary, the one who is "full of grace" and the one whom "all generations will called 'blessed'" has been
viewed as unique since the earliest days of the Christian faith. Just as Christ has been called the "new
Adam," the Church Fathers, especially Saints Justin (AD 150) and Irenaeus (AD 180), saw Mary as the
"new Eve," who humbly obeyed God, even though Eve disobeyed. The Church Fathers also called Mary
the "new ark of the covenant" and theotokos, God-bearer. It is from these titles that the doctrine of
Mary's Immaculate Conception and sinlessness unfolded.

Christmas Day – Tuesday, December 25, 2012 (Holy Day of Obligation)

Christmas is the feast of the Incarnation, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, true God and true
man, as a little baby in Bethlehem, within the realm of history. While many Christians recognize
Christmas as a celebration of Jesus' birth, the solemnity is also a festival of his Incarnation, that is, God
becoming human in the person of Jesus.

The Christmas Season begins with the Christmas Vigil. It lasts until the Feast of the Baptism of the
Lord. It is about three weeks long. This season also includes feasts of Mary, the Mother of God on
January 1; the Holy Family on the Sunday after Christmas; and the Epiphany, the coming of the Magi,
on the first Sunday of the new year. The color white or gold is used because it symbolizes joy!

Many festivals celebrate the winter solstice, a time when the days grow longer. The welcoming of light
seems an appropriate season to commemorate the coming of Christ, the Light of the World.

Christmas is a season of gift giving, a tradition that originally centered on the Feast of the Epiphany,
commemorating the visit of the Magi and the revelation of the Lord to the whole world.

Mary, Mother of God – Tuesday, January 1, 2013 (Holy Day of Obligation)

The Solemnity of Mary Mother of God falls exactly one week after Christmas, the end of the octave of
Christmas. It is fitting to honor Mary as Mother of Jesus, following the birth of Christ. When Catholics
celebrate the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God we are not only honoring Mary, who was chosen among
all women throughout history to bear God incarnate, but we are also honoring our Lord, who is fully
God and fully human. Calling Mary "mother of God" is the highest honor we can give Mary. Just as
Christmas honors Jesus as the "Prince of Peace," the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God honors Mary
as the "Queen of Peace" This solemnity, falling on New Year's Day, is also designated the World Day
of Peace.
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The Solemnity of Mary Mother of God commemorates the divine motherhood of the Blessed Virgin
Mary, the God-Bearer, Mother of our Lord and God Jesus Christ. It is celebrated on January 1st, one
week after Christmas.

Epiphany – Wednesdayday, January 2, 2013

Officially called "The Epiphany of the Lord," this feast celebrates the epiphany (manifestation) of Christ
to the Gentiles, symbolized by Christ's manifestation to the Magi (Wise Men). The feast originally was
more closely connected to Jesus' baptism, the primary theme of the feast in Eastern Churches to this
day. In addition, other manifestations of Christ were often commemorated during Epiphany, including
the miracle at Cana. In fact, it has been asserted that the Baptism of the Lord, the adoration of the
infant Jesus by the Magi, and the miracle at Cana all historically occurred on January 6. Whether this is
true is contested, but either way, the Epiphany solemnity is celebrated on January 6, which falls within
Christmastide. In some Catholic regions, the feast is translated to a Sunday. The Eastern Churches
often call the holiday Theophany, which means "manifestation of God." Eastern Christians also refer to
the Epiphany as "Holy Lights" because they baptize on this day, and baptism brings about illumination.
Traditionally, Epiphany marked the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas.

Lent

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and continues for forty days. Lent is a penitential season, one in which
to turn away from attachment to material things and everyday pleasures. It is a time to examine
personal relationships with God and others. Each Sunday, through the Scripture readings, important
themes of Jesus’ life and teaching are recalled. The color of Lent is purple, reflecting on a time of
penance. The fourth Sunday uses the color rose to symbolize the halfway point of the season. Called
Laetare Sunday, from Isaiah 66:10, it sets a joyful tone of anticipation of the Paschal mystery at Easter.

Ash Wednesday – Wednesday, February 13, 2013

In the Western Church, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, the 40-day period of fasting before
Easter. On Ash Wednesday, ashes are blessed, mixed with either holy oil or water, and imposed on the
head with the sign of the cross, or sprinkled on the forehead. The ashes are made from burning palm
branches blessed the previous year on Palm Sunday. When the priest imposes the ashes he says
either "remember man you are dust, and to dust you will return" (see Genesis 3:19), or "turn away from
sin and be faithful to the Gospel" (Mark 1:15).

The ashes serve a dual purpose. First, as the above words imply, we are reminded of our mortality and
humanity as we begin the Lenten Fast. Second, the ashes are a Biblical symbol of repentance, sorrow,
and humility. There are many cases in the Scriptures of wearing ashes as a sign of penitence, often
while wearing sackcloth. In 2 Samuel 13:19, Tamar puts on ashes and tears her clothes as a sign of
sadness and repentance. In Esther 4:1-3, after learning of the king's decree to kill all Jews, Mordecai
tears his garments, and puts on sack cloth and ashes. His fellow Jews do the same thing, as well as
beginning to fast. The prophet Jeremiah (6:26) urges his readers to "gird on sackcloth and roll in
ashes."

Holy Week

Holy Week begins with Passion or Palm Sunday, and concludes with the Triduum. This period from
Holy Thursday evening to Easter Sunday evening is the holiest part of the liturgical year for Catholics.
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The reading of the Gospel account of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem and the joyful procession with palms
on Passion Sunday soon give way to the solemn reading of the passion and death of Christ

The Easter Triduum begins the evening of Holy Thursday. We celebrate the Lord’s Supper to
commemorate the meal Jesus ate with his disciples the night before he died. It is customary to have a
foot-washing ceremony during the liturgy to recall Jesus’ message of service. The Lord’s Passion is
observed on Good Friday afternoon. Scripture readings tell of Jesus’ trial and execution, his suffering
and death to bring about our freedom from sin.

On the evening of Holy Saturday, we celebrate the Easter Vigil, the most important liturgy of the year.
The priest blesses new fire and lights the Paschal candle, which represents Christ, the Light of the
World. The priest carries the candle into a darkened church, where the light spreads to all the
assembly.

The baptismal waters are blessed and catechumens are baptized and confirmed. All present sing
Alleluia and renew their baptismal vows.

Holy Saturday – Saturday, March 30, 2013

Holy Saturday, Sabbatum Sanctum in Latin, is the last day of Holy Week, and the 40th day of the
traditional fast of Lent, although Lent ends liturgically on the evening of Holy Thursday. The evening of
Holy Saturday begins the third and final day of the Paschal Triduum. In the Western Church, no
Masses are said on Holy Saturday, and the day is essentially a liturgically sparse time of reflection
upon Christ's death and burial in anticipation of the Great Vigil of Easter (Paschal Vigil). The vigil
usually begins the night of Holy Saturday, lasting until Easter morning. Very little happens on Holy
Saturday, that is until the beginning of the Great Paschal Vigil.

There is deep symbolism upon which we can reflect on Holy Saturday. On this day, the Church waits at
the Lord's tomb, and meditates on His Passion and Death and His descent into Hell. With prayer and
fasting we await His glorious Easter resurrection. Mary is also a Holy Saturday symbol. According to
Catholic tradition, Mary represents the entire body of the Church. As she awaited in faith for the
victorious triumph of Her Son over death on the first Holy Saturday, so we too wait with Mary on the
present Holy Saturday.

Easter – Sunday, March, 2013

The Easter Season begins with Jesus’ Resurrection and continues for seven weeks until Pentecost.
The Feast of Pentecost celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the first disciples and is the
birthday of the Church. This season reminds us of the appearances of Jesus Christ to his disciples after
the Resurrection. A major feast during this season is Ascension Thursday. The colors white or gold are
used during the Easter Season once again to celebrate joy!

The church calls all Catholics to worship at Mass on Easter Sunday to celebrate our common faith and
to rejoice in the salvation of the world through the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

One symbol of Easter is light, shown by the Paschal Candle and tapers used during the Easter Vigil.
Water is a powerful symbol of baptism, reminding us that as we died with Christ we will also rise with

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him. Colored eggs, lilies, and rabbits are all signs of new life and in that way related to the Feast of the
Resurrection.

Ascension Thursday – Thursday, May 9, 2013 (Holy Day of Obligation)

Forty Days after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Acts of the Apostles records Jesus' ascension
into heaven. The ascension is an important Christian feast attesting and celebrating the reality of the
God-Man Jesus Christ's returning to the Father, to return again in the future parousia. The Ascension is
the final component of the paschal mystery, which consists also of Jesus' Passion, Crucifixion, Death,
Burial, Descent Among the Dead, and Resurrection. Along with the resurrection, the ascension
functioned as a proof of Jesus' claim that he was the Messiah. The Ascension is also the event
whereby humanity was taken into heaven.

Pentecost – Sunday, May 19, 2013

Pentecost, the 50th and final day of the Easter Season, celebrates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit
upon the Apostles in the book of Acts, ushering in the beginning of the Church. 50 Days after Jesus'
resurrection (and 10 days after Jesus' Ascension), the apostles were gathered together, probably
confused and contemplating their future mission and purpose. On the day of Pentecost, a flame rested
upon the shoulders of the apostles and they began to speak in tongues (languages), by the power of
the Holy Spirit. Thus Pentecost is a time for many Catholics and other Christians to celebrate two
important realities: the Holy Spirit and the Church. Pentecost has long been a very important feast in
The Catholic and Orthodox Churches because it celebrates the official beginning of the Church. It is
one of the twelve Great Feasts of the Eastern Church, second only in importance to Pascha (Easter).
Pentecost always falls on a Sunday, fifty days after Easter Sunday (inclusive of Easter Sunday), and
occurs during mid-to-late Spring in the Northern hemisphere, and mid-to-late autumn in the Southern
hemisphere. The summer season of Ordinary Time begins on the Monday immediately following
Pentecost Sunday.

Assumption of Mary – Thursday, August 15, 2013 (Holy Day of Obligation)

"We pronounce, declare and define it to be a divinely revealed dogma: that the Immaculate Mother of
God, the ever Virgin Mary having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul
to heavenly glory." With these words, Pope Pius XII officially and infallibly declared the Assumption of
Mary, the Mother of God (theotokos), to be dogma in 1950. In this pronouncement, Pope Pius was
simply stating dogmatically what the Church, East and West, had believed for many years. The Catholic
Catechism further explains:

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son's Resurrection and an
anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians (966).

The Assumption of Mary is not only a participation in her Son's resurrection, but a preview of our future
resurrections. As such, the dogma of Mary's Assumption is firmly rooted in the actions and person of
Christ, and in the virtue of Christian hope.

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All Saints Day – Friday, November 1, 2013 (Holy Day of Obligation)

The Feast of All Saints is a holy day of the Church honoring all saints, known and unknown. This is
much like the American holidays Veterans Day and Presidents Day, where many people are honored
on one day. While we have information about many saints, and we honor them on specific days, there
are many unknown or unsung saints, who may have been forgotten, or never been specifically honored.
On All Saints Day, we celebrate these saints of the Lord, and ask for their prayers and intercessions.
The whole concept of All Saints Day is tied in with the concept of the Communion of Saints. This is the
belief that all of God's people, on heaven, earth, and in the state of purification (called Purgatory in the
West), are connected in a communion. In other words, Catholic and Orthodox Christians believe that
the saints of God are just as alive as you and I, and are constantly interceding on our behalf.
Remember, our connection with the saints in heaven is one grounded in a tight-knit communion. The
saints are not divine, nor omnipresent or omniscient. However, because of our common communion
with and through Jesus Christ, our prayers are joined with the heavenly community of Christians.

Liturgical Colors
Different colors are used for the liturgical celebrations and seasons throughout
the year. (CCC 1168, 1171, 2698, 1438)

White
light  Season of Christmas
innocence
 Season of Easter
purity
 Feasts of the Lord, other than of His passion (i.e. Epiphany)
joy
triumph  Feasts of Mary, the angels, and saints who were not martyrs
glory  All Saints (1 November)
 Feasts of the Apostles
 Nuptial Masses
 Masses for the dead (Requiem Masses) when the deceased is a baptized child who died before
the age of reason

Note: White is the color of Popes' non-liturgical dress. White can be replaced by Silver.

Red

 Feasts of the Lord's passion, Blood, and Cross

the Passion  Feasts of the martyrs
blood  Palm Sunday
fire  Pentecost
God's Love
martyrdom
Note: Red is the color of Cardinals' non-liturgical dress

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Green

 Time After Epiphany

the Holy Spirit  Time After Pentecost
life eternal
hope

Violet

 Season of Septuagesima
penance  Season of Advent
humility  Season of Lent
melancholy  Rogation Days
 Ember Days (except for Pentecost Ember Days)
 Vigils except for Ascension and Pentecost
 Good Friday
 Note: Violet, literally "amaranth red," is the color of Bishops', Archbishops', and Patriarchs'
non-liturgical dress

Black

 All Souls Day

mourning  Masses for the dead (Requiem Masses), except for baptized children who've died before the
sorrow age of reason

Rose

 Gaudete Sunday (Third Sunday of Advent)

joy  Laetare Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Lent)

Gold

 Gold can replace white, red, or green (but not violet or black)
joy

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Liturgical Cycle
The Lectionary (the book used at mass that contains the scripture readings) follows
a Sunday and Weekday Cycle. The Sunday Cycle is 3-yearly and denoted by the
letters A, B and C. Each year follows through one of the Gospels: A-Matthew, B-
Mark, C-Luke. The Gospel of John is proclaimed on particular Sundays in each of
the years.
Weekdays in Ordinary Time follow a 2 year cycle numbered I and II. Year I is read in
odd number years: year II in even ones.

What day is All Saints Day? November 1

What day is All Souls Day? November 2
What day is the Annunciation? March 25
What day is the Assumption of Mary? August 15
When is the epiphany? January 6th
When is the Immaculate Conception? December 8
When is Our Lady of Guadalupe? December 13
When is the Solemnity of Mary? January 1
When is the feast of St. John the Baptist? June 24
When is the feast of St. Joseph? March 19
When is the feast of St. Nicholas? December 6
When is the feast of St. Stephen? December 26
When is the Transfiguration? August 6
What is 40(46) days before Easter? Ash Wednesday
What is 40 days after Easter? Ascension Thursday
What is 50 days after Easter? Pentecost Sunday
When did the Apostles receive the Holy Spirit? Pentecost Sunday
What day Commemorates Jesus' Death? Good Friday
What day commemorates the last supper? Holy Thursday
What is the 1st Sunday of the Church Year? First Sunday of Advent
What is the Friday of Holy Week? Good Friday
What is the Holiest Day of the Year? Easter Sunday
When did Jesus ascend into heaven? Ascension Thursday
What is the Last Sunday in Ordinary Time? Feast of Christ the King
What is the last week of Lent? Holy Week
What is Saturday, the Day before Easter? Easter Vigil
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What starts lent? Ash Wednesday
What is the Sunday after Easter? Devine Mercy Sunday
What is the Sunday after the Epiphany? Baptism of the Lord
What is the Sunday after Pentecost? Trinity Sunday
What is the Sunday after Trinity Sunday? Corpus Christi
What is the Newest Holy day? Divine Mercy Sunday
Thurs, Fri, Sat of Holy Week is? Easter Triduum
What is the Thursday of Holy Week? Holy Thursday
What is the Sunday after Christmas? Feast of the Holy Family