Webster’s Dictionary defines “year” as the number of days it takes the earth to rotate once around the sun. We measure the age of our human body in calendar years. Each year we celebrate our birthday and numerous secular holidays such as President’s Day, Fourth of July, and Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. Most of us enjoy these days because we don’t have to go to work or school. We lose sight of the deep-seated meaning behind their observance.

You’ve read enough of my articles to know that I prefer multiple choice and fill-in-the-blank questions over essay questions. Here are a few non-essay questions for you to answer. This is an open book quiz; so you can use any resource you need, but you need to think as a Catholic. How many seasons do we experience each year: three, four, five, or six? Choose them from this list: spring, Advent, winter, Christmas, Ordinary Time, summer, Lent, fall, Easter, and autumn. Now put them in the correct sequence in order of their occurrence, first to last. What primary color is associated with each season? (I have one last question for you. White and red vestments are worn by the clergy at different times throughout each liturgical season; but violet and rose vestments are only worn during Advent and Lent. In which liturgical seasons are green vestments never worn by the priest or deacon at Mass?)

The Liturgical Year that begins with Advent is more important to the faithful Catholic Christian than is the calendar year that begins on January 1st. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1171) states, “In the liturgical year the various aspects of the one Paschal mystery unfold.”

Each liturgical year begins in the late fall with the season of Advent. Advent is followed by Christmas, Ordinary Time, Lent, Easter, and the second part of Ordinary Time.

Advent starts the liturgical year. It consists of four weeks of preparation for the First Coming of Jesus Christ at Christmas; and, just as importantly, Advent is the season where we focus our hearts and minds on the Second Coming of Jesus Christ at the end of time. Advent always begins on the Sunday closest to November 30th. Violet is the primary liturgical color during Advent. Rose vestments are worn by the clergy on the Third Sunday of Advent.

The Christmas season runs from early evening on December 24th through the Sunday in early January when we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord. The Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God is observed and celebrated during the Christmas season on January 1st. The Epiphany of the Lord also occurs during this season. This day commemorates the manifestation of Christ to the whole world as represented by the Magi traveling to Bethlehem. White is the primary liturgical color during the Christmas season.

Ordinary Time occurs twice during the liturgical year: first, between Christmas and Lent, and then after Easter. This season of the liturgical year is anything but ordinary. It is a time for us to reflect on God’s presence in our daily life, a time for us to deepen our knowledge and understanding of Jesus’ love for us, and a time for us to serve others and to bring Christ to those who do not know Him. Many solemnities and feast days occur during this season, including Trinity Sunday, Corpus Christi (Body and Blood of Christ), Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Birth of John the Baptist, the Apostles Peter and Paul, the Assumption of the Blessed Mother, All Saints, and Christ the King which occurs on the last Sunday of the liturgical year. Green is the primary liturgical color during Ordinary Time.

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, covers six consecutive weeks, and ends before the commemoration of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday. Lent is probably the least enjoyable season; yet, it can be the most rewarding of all. Remaining faithful to the true meaning of Lent is difficult work, because Lent is a time for fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. If we experienced Lent with total commitment and faith in God, these three efforts (fasting, prayer, and almsgiving) should prepare our entire body and soul for Easter. Violet is the primary color during Lent. Rose vestments are worn by the clergy on the Fourth Sunday of Lent.

Easter is the high-point of the liturgical year. On Easter, Christians around the world celebrate God’s triumph over sin and death. Without the events of Easter there is no Christian faith, there is no Catholic Church, and there is no salvation for mankind. The significance of the Easter season dwarfs the other four seasons. Our entire Catholic faith is tied up in the Passion, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Easter season begins with the commemoration of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday and continues through Ascension Thursday (the 40th day after Easter) and ends on Pentecost Sunday (the 50th day after Easter). CCC 1169 states, “Easter is not simply one feast among others, but the ‘Feast of feasts,’ the “Solemnity of solemnities.’” White is the primary color during the Easter season.

As we move through each liturgical year, we encounter the mysteries of our Lord’s birth, life, death, and resurrection. We must strive to deepen our spiritual life throughout the liturgical year. Faithfully worshiping God at Mass each Sunday is the best way to start.

For more insight read CCC paragraphs 528, 1163-1173. Also, pull out your “Catholic” Bible and reference 1 Sam 17:12-15; Mt 2:1-16; Lk2:4-15; Lk 4:19; Jn 7:42.