Lesson 29: The Liturgical Seasons and Holy Times
1. What are liturgical seasons?
The Church year is divided into different liturgical seasons. Liturgical Seasons are the seasons of the Church’s public worship. These different seasons help us to remember the different parts of the Life of Jesus so that we can imitate Him and be reminded of how much He loves us.
2. What are the different liturgical seasons?
Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time
3. What is Advent?
The Church year begins on the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is the time that we prepare for the second coming of Jesus at the end of time and for the celebration of Christmas, the birthday of Jesus. There are four Sundays of Advent before the celebration of Christmas. During the Advent the priest wears purple.
4. What is the Christmas Season?
In the Christmas Season we remember the birth of Jesus and his childhood. In the Christmas Season the priest wears white.
We celebrate Christmas on December 25.
5. What is Lent?
In the 40 days of Lent we prepare for Easter Sunday. It is a time of penance where we are sorry for or sins and try to live better lives. In this holy time of Lent we are called to do our daily duties better. WE are to pray and listen to the Word of God more. We are to help and share with others. We are to make little sacrifices to show Jesus that we love Him. When we make little sacrifices for love of Jesus beautiful things happen if we have sanctifying grace in our souls: souls are saved from going to hell; our souls become more clean; and we grow in grace, love and joy. During Lent the priest wears purple. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. The Last week of Lent is called Holy Week. Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday. ON that Sunday the passion and death of Jesus is read during the Gospel. On Holy Thursday morning the Bishop celebrates the Chrism Mass, at which time he blesses the oils that we will be using during baptism and Anointing of the Sic; and he consecrates the Chrism, that will be used among other things for Confirmation.
On Ash Wednesday the priest places ashes on our forehead, reminding us that we are sinners and must be sorry for our sins.
6. What is the Easter Triduum?
With the Easter Triduum Lent is over. The Easter Triduum begins on Holy Thursday evening with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. That Mass recalls the washing of the disciples’ feet, Jesus institution of the Eucharist and the Priesthood, and the conferral of the Lord’s new commandment, which is to love one another as He has loved us. On this day the priest wears white.
On Good Friday the tabernacle is left empty and Mass is not celebrated. It is day of penance, abstinence from meat, and fasting. There is a service in which the Passion of Our Lord according to the Gospel of John is read; the Cross is venerated; and Holy Communion is received. Throughout the whole of Holy Saturday the tabernacle remains empty.
In the evening, normally not too long after the sun has gone down, the Easter Vigil is celebrated. This is the most important liturgical ceremony of the whole year. At that time a new paschal candle is blessed and lit; various readings are listened to from the Old Testament; and the Gloria and the Alleluia that had not been pronounced during Lent are once again proclaimed. The Gospel announces Our Lord’s resurrection. During this Mass the adults who had been preparing to become Christians are baptized, confirmed, and receive Holy Communion. After Mass Jesus is once again placed in the tabernacle, and the red candle is lit again. The presence of Our Lord in the tabernacle is the greatest sign that we have of Our Lord’s resurrection.
7. What is the Easter Season?
At Easter we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. On this day we all renew our baptismal promises. IT is a time of joy. The Priest wears white. The last day of the Easter Season is Pentecost. On this day we recall the coming of the Holy Spirit on the early Church. On that day the Church was born. The Priest on this day wears read.
8. What is Ordinary Time?
In Ordinary Time we remember the teaching and miracles of the public life of Jesus. During Ordinary Time the priest wears green.
9. What is the Greatest Feat of the Year?
The Greatest Feast of the Year is Easter, because on that day Jesus rose from the dead. He made it possible for us to get to heaven. Easter is called the “Feast of feasts,” or the “Great Sunday.” We renew our baptismal promises on this day. We try to give up sin and live a good life.
10. What day is the Easter of every week?
Sunday is the Easter of every week. It is a day of celebration because Jesus rose from the dead on Sunday. WE celebrate by going to Mass, praying more, spending time with our family and friends, and by resting from work.
11. What day every week is a day of Penance?
Friday every week is a day of Penance. Jesus died for us on Friday. We should show our love for Jesus in a special way on Friday. It should be a day where we do our daily duty very well. We should pray more, help others and share more. We should make some small sacrifices to show Jesus that we love Him. Once possible sacrifice is not eating meat. If we eat meat we should do some other sacrifice.
12. What are the times of Penance in the Church?
Besides every Friday, the days of Lent (except the Sundays in Lent) are days of Penance. Ash Wednesday and every Friday of Lent are days where those who are 14 and older are obliged to abstain from meat. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days were all from the ages of 18 to 59 are obliged to fast. That means that they may take no more than one meal, and two other snacks that do not amount to more than one meal when added together.
13. What are the Holy Days of Obligation?
Every Sunday of the Year and also the following Feast Days are Holy Days of Obligation: Christmas (December 25); the Solemnity of Mary’s Assumption into heaven, body and soul (August 15th); the Solemnity of All Saints (November 1); the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (December 8)
14. Are these feasts Holy Days of Obligation if they fall on a Monday or Saturday?
December 25th and December 8th are always a holy day of obligation even if they fall on a Saturday or a Monday. In the United States the others are not holy days of obligation if they fall on a Saturday or a Monday; nonetheless, one is always encouraged to go if he or she is able.
15. What type of sin is it to miss Mass on Sunday or a Holy Day of Obligation?
To miss Mass on a Sunday or a Holy Day of Obligation is a mortal sin if a person was able to go and did not go.
