
RETURN TO
MAIN MENU
FIRST PART OF ORDINARY TIME
What is Ordinary Time?
The Sundays of the major seasons of
the year are distinguished by their relationship to the Solemnities of Christmas
and Easter. The rhythm of these
liturgical seasons reflects the rhythm of life — with its celebrations and its
seasons of growth. Ordinary Time, meaning ordered or numbered time, is
celebrated in two segments: from the Monday following the Baptism of Our Lord to Ash Wednesday; and from Pentecost Monday to the First Sunday of Advent. This
makes it the longest season of the Liturgical Year. The Church counts
thirty-three or thirty-four Sundays of Ordinary Time (60% of
the Church's calendar), inviting us to meditate upon the whole mystery of
Christ – his life, miracles and teachings – in the light of his Resurrection.
The vestments for Ordinary Time are usually green, the color of hope and
growth.
The season of
Ordinary Time helps us to meditate on the mighty works of God through Jesus
Christ. It is a time to grow in our faith in response to God's invitation
to follow Jesus to the cross. We have a challenge to make our ordinary days extraordinary!
|
SECOND PART OF
ORDINARY TIME
The feast of
Pentecost officially closes the fifty days of the Easter Season. The Paschal
candle, which has been kept in the sanctuary throughout the Easter Season and
lighted during the liturgy, is taken from the sanctuary at the end of the Mass
of Pentecost, sometimes in procession, and placed in the church's baptistry,
where it remains for the rest of the year.
The
second part of Ordinary Time begins with the day after Pentecost and runs to the
Saturday before the First Sunday of Advent. The Masses of the Solemnity of the
Most Holy Trinity and the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
replace the first two Sundays of this season of Ordinary Time.
The season of
Ordinary Time helps us to meditate on the
mighty works of God through the Risen Christ and the sending of the Spirit. It
is a time to grow in our faith in response to God's invitation to follow Jesus
through his Incarnation and Birth. We have a challenge to make our
ordinary days extraordinary!
|
|