The ChristianThe Christian

Liturgical YearLiturgical Year

Fr. Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.Fr. Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.Loyola Institute for Spirituality, Orange, CALoyola Institute for Spirituality, Orange, CA

http://catholic-resources.orghttp://catholic-resources.org

I) Liturgical Year: OverviewI) Liturgical Year: Overview

What’s the most important feast of the Christian year?What’s the most important feast of the Christian year?

E A S T E RE A S T E R

Lent, EASTER, PentecostLent, EASTER, Pentecost LentLent – – Preparatory season of fasting & prayer Preparatory season of fasting & prayer

– Ash Wednesday to Holy ThursdayAsh Wednesday to Holy Thursday (40 days?) (40 days?)

EASTER – Resurrection of JesusEASTER – Resurrection of Jesus– Easter TriduumEaster Triduum (3 holy days: Thurs. eve – Sun. eve)(3 holy days: Thurs. eve – Sun. eve)

Holy ThursdayHoly Thursday (Last Supper) (Last Supper); Good Friday ; Good Friday (Crucifixion)(Crucifixion)

Easter VigilEaster Vigil (Sat. evening; baptism of neophytes) (Sat. evening; baptism of neophytes)

– Easter SundayEaster Sunday (Sun. after first full moon in Spring)(Sun. after first full moon in Spring)

– Easter Octave Easter Octave (one full week = 8 days; Sun. to Sun.)(one full week = 8 days; Sun. to Sun.)

– Easter SeasonEaster Season (7 weeks = 50 days, till Pentecost)(7 weeks = 50 days, till Pentecost) Ascension of the Lord Ascension of the Lord (40(40thth day: Thursday; or 6 day: Thursday; or 6thth Sunday) Sunday)

PentecostPentecost – – Coming of Holy Spirit (Acts 2) Coming of Holy Spirit (Acts 2)

CHRISTMAS:CHRISTMAS:The NativityThe Nativityof the Lordof the Lord

Advent, CHRISTMAS, Advent, CHRISTMAS, EpiphanyEpiphany

AdventAdvent – – Season of preparation & waitingSeason of preparation & waiting– begins 4 Sundays before Christmasbegins 4 Sundays before Christmas (rarely 4 full weeks) (rarely 4 full weeks)

CHRISTMASCHRISTMAS – – Birth/Nativity of JesusBirth/Nativity of Jesus– Christmas Eve & Day – Dec. 24/25Christmas Eve & Day – Dec. 24/25

Four Masses: Vigil, Midnight, Dawn, DayFour Masses: Vigil, Midnight, Dawn, Day

– Special Feasts during Christmas Season:Special Feasts during Christmas Season: St. Stephen, St. John Evangelist, Holy Innocents, etc.St. Stephen, St. John Evangelist, Holy Innocents, etc.

– Christmas Octave, Jan. 1: Christmas Octave, Jan. 1: Mary / Naming Jesus / World Mary / Naming Jesus / World PeacePeace

EpiphanyEpiphany – C – Coming of the Magi (Matt 2)oming of the Magi (Matt 2)– Jan. 6 (trad.); Jan. 6 (trad.); or moved to closest Sunday: Jan. 2-8or moved to closest Sunday: Jan. 2-8

BaptismBaptism of the Lord of the Lord – Christmas Season ends – Christmas Season ends

““Ordinary Time”Ordinary Time”OT IOT I – – between seasons of Christmas & Lentbetween seasons of Christmas & Lent

– Between 5 and 8 weeks Between 5 and 8 weeks (depends on date of Easter)(depends on date of Easter)

– Called “Sundays after Epiphany” Called “Sundays after Epiphany” by some other by some other ChristiansChristians

OT IIOT II – – after Pentecost to next year’s Adventafter Pentecost to next year’s Advent– Up to 34 weeks Up to 34 weeks (last Sunday called feast of “Christ the King”)(last Sunday called feast of “Christ the King”)

– Called “Sundays after Pentecost” Called “Sundays after Pentecost” by some other by some other ChristiansChristians

Other Feasts:Other Feasts:– Lesser Events related to the Life of JesusLesser Events related to the Life of Jesus– Feasts of Mary & the SaintsFeasts of Mary & the Saints– Memorials of the DeceasedMemorials of the Deceased

II) Lectionary DevelopmentII) Lectionary Development

1570 – Pope Pius V1570 – Pope Pius V

Two Readings:Two Readings:

* Epistle* Epistle

* Gospel* Gospel

(same readings each year;(same readings each year;

almost never from the OT)almost never from the OT)

(for details, see (for details, see http://www.catholic-resources.org/Lhttp://www.catholic-resources.org/Lectionary/Overview.htmectionary/Overview.htm

Vatican Council IIVatican Council II

“ “The treasures of the Bible are to The treasures of the Bible are to be opened up more lavishly, so be opened up more lavishly, so that richer fare may be provided that richer fare may be provided for the faithful at the table of for the faithful at the table of God's word. In this way a more God's word. In this way a more representative portion of the holy representative portion of the holy scriptures will be read to the scriptures will be read to the people in the course of a people in the course of a prescribed number of years.” prescribed number of years.” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, § 51)§ 51)

Lectionary History (cont.)Lectionary History (cont.)

Lectionary for MassLectionary for Mass(biblical readings)(biblical readings)

SacramentarySacramentary(texts spoken by the (texts spoken by the

priest)priest)

III) Lectionary StructureIII) Lectionary Structure

General Intro to the Lectionary General Intro to the Lectionary (Second Edition, 1/21/1981)(Second Edition, 1/21/1981)

Sacred Congregation for the Sacraments and Divine Sacred Congregation for the Sacraments and Divine WorshipWorship

PreamblePreamble– Chapter I: Chapter I: General Principles for the Liturgical Celebration of General Principles for the Liturgical Celebration of

the Word of Godthe Word of God Part 1: Part 1: The Word of God in the Celebration of MassThe Word of God in the Celebration of Mass

– Chapter II: Chapter II: The Celebration of the Liturgy of the Word at MassThe Celebration of the Liturgy of the Word at Mass– Chapter III: Chapter III: Offices and Ministries in the Celebration of the Offices and Ministries in the Celebration of the

Liturgy of the Word within Mass Liturgy of the Word within Mass Part 2: Part 2: The Structure of the Order of Readings for The Structure of the Order of Readings for

MassMass– Chapter IV:Chapter IV: The General Arrangement of Readings for Mass The General Arrangement of Readings for Mass– Chapter V: Chapter V: Description of the Order of ReadingsDescription of the Order of Readings– Chapter VI: Chapter VI: Adaptations, Translations, and Format of the Adaptations, Translations, and Format of the

Order of ReadingsOrder of Readings EndnotesEndnotes

Lectionary Structure: Lectionary Structure: SundaysSundays

Three Main Three Main Readings:Readings:

1.1. OT ReadingOT Reading+ + Responsorial PsalmResponsorial Psalm

2.2. NT EpistlesNT Epistles+ + Gospel AcclamationGospel Acclamation

3.3. NT GospelNT Gospel

3-Year Cycle:3-Year Cycle:A.A. Matthew (2005)Matthew (2005)

B.B. Mark (2006)Mark (2006)

C.C. Luke (2007)Luke (2007)

General Intro to the Lectionary General Intro to the Lectionary (Second Edition, 1/21/1981)(Second Edition, 1/21/1981)

Sacred Congregation for the Sacraments and Divine Sacred Congregation for the Sacraments and Divine WorshipWorship

Part 2: Part 2: The Structure of the Order of Readings for The Structure of the Order of Readings for MassMass

Chap. IV:Chap. IV: The General Arrangement of Readings for Mass The General Arrangement of Readings for Mass– The Pastoral Purpose of the Order of Readings for MassThe Pastoral Purpose of the Order of Readings for Mass– The Principles of Composition of the Order of Readings for MassThe Principles of Composition of the Order of Readings for Mass– Principles to Be Followed in the Use of the Order of ReadingPrinciples to Be Followed in the Use of the Order of Reading

Chap. V: Chap. V: Description of the Order of ReadingsDescription of the Order of Readings– AdventAdvent– The Christmas SeasonThe Christmas Season– LentLent– The Sacred Triduum and the Easter SeasonThe Sacred Triduum and the Easter Season– ““Ordinary Time”Ordinary Time”

Readings for Liturgical Readings for Liturgical SeasonsSeasons

Season of AdventSeason of Advent– www.catholic-resources.org/Lectionary/1998USL-Advent.htmwww.catholic-resources.org/Lectionary/1998USL-Advent.htm

Season of ChristmasSeason of Christmas– www.catholic-resources.org/Lectionary/1998USL-Christmas.htmwww.catholic-resources.org/Lectionary/1998USL-Christmas.htm

Season of LentSeason of Lent– www.catholic-resources.org/Lectionary/1998USL-Lent.htmwww.catholic-resources.org/Lectionary/1998USL-Lent.htm

Season of EasterSeason of Easter– www.catholic-resources.org/Lectionary/1998USL-Easter.htmwww.catholic-resources.org/Lectionary/1998USL-Easter.htm

Ordinary TimeOrdinary Time– Year A; Year B; Year CYear A; Year B; Year C

Readings Readings for the for the Easter Easter TriduumTriduum

Day/FeastDay/Feast 11stst Reading Reading 22ndnd Reading Reading GospelGospelHoly ThursdayHoly Thursday Exod 12:1-8, 11-14Exod 12:1-8, 11-14 1 Cor 11:23-261 Cor 11:23-26 John 13:1-15John 13:1-15

Good FridayGood Friday Isa 52:13 – 53:12Isa 52:13 – 53:12 Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9 John 18:1 – 19:42John 18:1 – 19:42

Easter VigilEaster Vigil 1) Gen 1:1 – 2:21) Gen 1:1 – 2:2 oror 1:1, 26- 1:1, 26-31a31a2) Gen 22:1-182) Gen 22:1-18 ((or shorteror shorter))

3) Exod 14:15 – 15:13) Exod 14:15 – 15:14) Isa 54:5-144) Isa 54:5-145) Isa 55:1-115) Isa 55:1-116) Bar 3:9-15, 32-4:46) Bar 3:9-15, 32-4:47) Ezek 36:16-17a, 18-287) Ezek 36:16-17a, 18-28

Rom 6:3-11Rom 6:3-11 A) Matt 28:1-10A) Matt 28:1-10B) Mark 16:1-7B) Mark 16:1-7C) Luke 24:1-12C) Luke 24:1-12

Easter Easter SundaySunday

Acts 10:34a, 37-43Acts 10:34a, 37-43 Col 3:1-4 Col 3:1-4 oror1 Cor 5:6b-81 Cor 5:6b-8

John 20:1-9John 20:1-9 or orLuke 24:13-35 Luke 24:13-35 (for (for afternoon Masses)afternoon Masses)

Readings Readings for the for the Easter Easter SeasonSeason

Day/FeastDay/Feast 11stst Reading Reading 22ndnd Reading Reading GospelGospelSundays 2-6Sundays 2-6(Year A)(Year A)

Selections fromSelections fromActsActs 2, 2, 2, 6, 8 2, 2, 2, 6, 8

1 Peter1 Peter(excerpts)(excerpts)

2) John 20:19-312) John 20:19-31

3) Luke 24:3) Luke 24:13-3513-35

4) 4) John 10John 10::1-101-10

5-6) John 14 & 14 5-6) John 14 & 14 (excerpts)(excerpts)

Sundays 2-6Sundays 2-6(Year B)(Year B)

Selections fromSelections from ActsActs 4, 3, 4, 9, 10 4, 3, 4, 9, 10

1 John1 John(excerpts)(excerpts)

2) John 20:19-312) John 20:19-31

3) Luke 24:3) Luke 24:35-4835-48

4) 4) John 10John 10::11-1811-18

5-6) John 15 & 15 5-6) John 15 & 15 (excerpts)(excerpts)

Sundays 2-6Sundays 2-6(Year C)(Year C)

Selections fromSelections from ActsActs 5, 5, 13, 14, 15 5, 5, 13, 14, 15

RevelationRevelation(excerpts)(excerpts)

2) John 20:19-312) John 20:19-31

3) John 21:3) John 21:1-191-19

4) 4) John 10John 10::27-3027-30

5-6) John 13 & 14 5-6) John 13 & 14 (excerpts)(excerpts)

ReadingsReadings for the for the Easter SeasonEaster Season (cont.)(cont.)

Day/FeastDay/Feast 11stst Reading Reading 22ndnd Reading Reading GospelGospelAscensionAscension Acts 1:1-11Acts 1:1-11 A) Eph 1:17-23A) Eph 1:17-23

B) Eph 4:1-13 (optional)B) Eph 4:1-13 (optional)C) Heb 9:24-28; 10:19-23 C) Heb 9:24-28; 10:19-23 (opt.)(opt.)

A) Matt 28:16-20A) Matt 28:16-20B) Mark 16:15-20B) Mark 16:15-20C) Luke 24:46-53C) Luke 24:46-53

PentecostPentecost

VigilVigil (ABC) (ABC)

Gen 11 Gen 11 oror Exod 19 Exod 19oror Ezek 37 Ezek 37 oror Joel 3 Joel 3

Rom 8:22-27Rom 8:22-27 John 7:37-39John 7:37-39

PentecostPentecostSunday Sunday (ABC)(ABC)

Acts 2:1-11Acts 2:1-11 A) 1 Cor 12A) 1 Cor 12B) Gal 5:16-25 (optional)B) Gal 5:16-25 (optional)C) Rom 8:8-17 (optional)C) Rom 8:8-17 (optional)

A) John 20:19-23A) John 20:19-23B) John 15:26-27; 16:12-B) John 15:26-27; 16:12-1515C) John 14:14-16, 23b-26C) John 14:14-16, 23b-26

The Christian Ritual MealThe Christian Ritual Meal Biblical TermsBiblical Terms

– ““Last Supper”Last Supper”– ““Lord’s Supper”Lord’s Supper”– ““Breaking of the Bread”Breaking of the Bread”– ““Eucharist”Eucharist”– ““Communion”Communion”– See www.catholic-resources.org/Bible/Eucharist.htmSee www.catholic-resources.org/Bible/Eucharist.htm

Theological MeaningTheological Meaning– Is it primarily a Meal? or primarily a Is it primarily a Meal? or primarily a

Sacrifice?Sacrifice?– Catholic-Christian answer: BOTH/ANDCatholic-Christian answer: BOTH/AND