The liturgical year is a central element of the Catholic Church's life, enabling the faithful to deepen their faith by celebrating key events from the life of Jesus Christ and the history of salvation. As the Christmas Season concludes, during which we celebrated the incarnation of the Son of God, we now enter Ordinary Time – a period of contemplation on the daily life and teachings of Jesus.
The Main Seasons of the Liturgical Year:
- Advent Advent is a time of waiting and preparation for the coming of Christ. It lasts four weeks and has two aspects: recalling Jesus’ first coming in Bethlehem and anticipating His second coming at the end of time. Advent is a time of reflection, prayer, and conversion.
- Christmas Season This season, which has just ended, begins on Christmas Eve and lasts until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. It celebrates the incarnation of the Son of God, His birth, and His manifestation to the world (Epiphany). It is a time of joy and gratitude for the gift of the Savior.
- Ordinary Time (First Part) The first part of Ordinary Time, which we are now entering, begins after the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord and lasts until Ash Wednesday. During this time, the liturgy focuses on the public ministry of Jesus and His teachings. It is a period for applying Christ’s words to everyday life and deepening our relationship with God.
- Lent Lent is a time of penance, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, lasting 40 days. It begins on Ash Wednesday and culminates in Holy Week, leading to the Paschal Triduum. During this season, the faithful prepare to commemorate the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Christ.
- Paschal Triduum The Paschal Triduum is the most important moment of the liturgical year, beginning on the evening of Holy Thursday and ending on Easter Sunday. During this time, the Church commemorates the institution of the Eucharist, the Passion, the Crucifixion, and the triumph of Christ’s Resurrection. The Paschal Triduum is the heart and climax of the liturgical year because it encompasses the most significant events of salvation history.
- Easter Season The Easter Season begins on Easter Sunday and lasts 50 days, concluding with the Feast of Pentecost. It is a time of joy in Christ’s Resurrection and reflection on the mystery of salvation.
- Ordinary Time (Second Part) The second part of Ordinary Time begins after Pentecost and lasts until the Solemnity of Christ the King. It is the longest season of the liturgical year, dedicated to deepening our relationship with God through daily life and faithfulness to Christ’s teachings.
The Significance of Ordinary Time
Ordinary Time, despite its name, is not a less important season. The term “Ordinary” comes from the Latin “ordinarius,” meaning ordered. During this time, the faithful focus on the life and teachings of Jesus, allowing His words to influence their daily decisions and actions. It is a time of spiritual growth and practical application of the Gospel in daily life.
The Most Important Liturgical Season
While all seasons of the liturgical year hold significance, the Paschal Triduum is considered the most important. It is the moment when the Church relives the central mysteries of faith: the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Christ. These events form the foundation of Christianity and offer the faithful the hope of salvation.
Thus, the liturgical year serves as a journey through which the Church guides the faithful toward a deeper experience of faith and an encounter with God in various aspects of spiritual life.
