Holy Name University
Center for Religious Education and Mission
(CREaM)
THE LITURGICAL SEASONS OF THE
CATHOLIC CHURCH
Prepared by Prof. Josefina T. Cemine (November 2020)
Holy Name University
Center for Religious Education and Mission
(CREaM)
The Liturgical Calendar is anchored on the stages of
Jesus’ life.
Prepared by Prof. Josefina T. Cemine (November 2020)
Holy Name University
Center for Religious Education and Mission
(CREaM)
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT LITURGICAL
SEASONS OF THE CATHOLIC LITURGICAL
YEAR?
https://www.catholicsstrivingforholiness.org/what-are-the-different-liturgical-seaso
ns-of-the-catholic-liturgical-year/
In her desire to unite her faithful to Our Lord Jesus Christ, Holy Mother Catholic
Church celebrates the sacred mysteries of the life of her founder — Birth, Hidden
Life, Public life, Passion, Death, Resurrection and Ascension of Our Lord, and His
Second Coming during the Final Judgment — throughout the entire liturgical year,
which, in turn, is divided into different seasons.
Prepared by Prof. Josefina T. Cemine (November 2020)
Holy Name University
Center for Religious Education and Mission
(CREaM)
What are the different seasons of the liturgical year of the Catholic
Church?
Prepared by Prof. Josefina T. Cemine (November 2020)
Holy Name University
Center for Religious Education and Mission
(CREaM)
1. ADVENT
Prepared by Prof. Josefina T. Cemine (November 2020)
Holy Name University
Center for Religious Education and Mission
(CREaM)
● The season of Advent is a 4-week preparation for the Coming of Our
Lord Jesus Christ (Know more in What is Advent?)
● It comes from adventus, a Latin word which means arrival, coming or
presence of someone or some event.
● It starts at Sunday after the last Sunday of Ordinary Time (Solemnity
of Christ the King).
2. CHRISTMAS
● Christmas season starts from the eve prior to December
25 (Commemoration of the Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ) till January
12, the feast of Our Lord’s Baptism.
● This season commemorates Our Lord’s Birth in Bethlehem and the
other events which occurred immediately after: the Visit and
adoration of the Magi, the Feast of the Holy Innocents, the Flight to
Egypt, the feast of the Holy Family (Sunday after Christmas), and
the feast of Our Lord’s Baptism.
● Basically, we celebrate the mysteries of the Hidden life of Our Lord
during Christmas season.
3. ORDINARY TIME
● Ordinary time is a season which refers to the period when Jesus
began His Public ministry, evangelizing the peoples of Israel.
● This season consists in 34 weeks, which begins on the day after
January 13 and culminates with the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus
Christ, King of the Universe (which celebrates the Second Coming
of Our Lord during the Final Judgment).
● This season is divided into 2 parts: the weeks before Lent, and
the weeks after Easter season has ended.
4. LENT
● Lent starts on Ash Wednesday and ends on the Saturday of the 4th
week of Lent.
● It is a 40-day preparation for the commemoration of the Paschal
Mystery during the Holy Week, an interior preparation of personal
conversion.
5. HOLY WEEK
Prepared by Prof. Josefina T. Cemine (November 2020)
Holy Name University
Center for Religious Education and Mission
(CREaM)
● Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday and ends on the eve of Easter
Sunday. It commemorates the Passion and Death of Our Lord on
the Cross for our Salvation, in what is called the Sacred Triduum
(Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil)
6. EASTER
● Easter begins on Easter eve which commemorates the Resurrection
of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and ends on Pentecost Sunday.
● It also consists in the 7 weeks which narrate Our Lord’s appearance to
his disciples after rising from the dead, his Ascension into
Heaven and the Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles.
● After Easter, the Church resumes its liturgical year with the Ordinary
Time which ends on the Saturday after the Christ the King Sunday.
And a new liturgical year and season begins…
Prepared by Prof. Josefina T. Cemine (November 2020)
Holy Name University
Center for Religious Education and Mission
(CREaM)
Prepared by Prof. Josefina T. Cemine (November 2020)
Holy Name University
Center for Religious Education and Mission
(CREaM)
Prepared by Prof. Josefina T. Cemine (November 2020)
Holy Name University
Center for Religious Education and Mission
(CREaM)
Prepared by Prof. Josefina T. Cemine (November 2020)
Holy Name University
Center for Religious Education and Mission
(CREaM)
Prepared by Prof. Josefina T. Cemine (November 2020)
