THE LITURGICAL CYCLE
1. ADVENT (Purple)
Advent has twofold character, for it is a time of preparation for the Solemnities of Christmas, in which the First Coming of the Son of God
to humanity is remembered, and likewise a time when, by remembrance of this, minds and hearts are led to look forward to Christ’s
Second Coming at the end of time. For these two reasons, Advent is a period of devout and expectant delight (Universal Norms on the
Liturgical Year and the General Roman Calendar, 39).
2. CHRISTMAS (White/Gold)
Christmas is the celebration of the First Coming of the Son of God. The next days of the octave of the Nativity of the Lord shows that the
Nativity of the Lord is also a feast of Christ’s final coming, when He will be surrounded by His angels and saints, represented by St.
Stephen, St. John the Apostle, and the Holy Innocents.
3. ORDINARY TIME (Green)
Apart from those seasons having their own distinctive character, there remain in the yearly cycle 33 or 34 weeks in which no particular
aspect of the mystery of Christ is celebrated, rather mystery of Christ Itself is honoured in its fullness, especially Sundays. This period is
known as Ordinary Time (Universal Norms, 43).
4. LENT (Purple)
The annual Lenten Season is a fitting time to climb the holy mountain of Easter. The Lenten season has a double character, namely to
prepare both catechumens and faithful to celebrate the paschal mystery. The catechumens, with the rite of election and scrutinies and by
catechesis, are prepared for the celebration of the sacrament of Christian initiation; the faithful, ever more attentive to the Word of God
and prayer, prepare themselves by penance for the renewal of their baptismal promises (Cæremoniale episcoporum, 2149)
4.1 THE SACRED PASCHAL TRIDUUM
Christ accomplished His work of human redemption and of the perfect glorification of God principally through His Paschal Mystery, in
which by dying He has destroyed our death, and by rising restored our life, the sacred Paschal Triduum of the Passion Burial and
Resurrection of the Lord shines forth as the high point of the entire liturgical year. Therefore the pre-eminence that Sunday has in the
week, the Solemnity of Easter has in the liturgical year. The Paschal Triduum of the Passion and Resurrection of the Lord begins with
the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, has its center in the Easter Vigil, and closes with Vespers (Evening Prayer) of the Sunday of
the Resurrection. (Universal Norms, 18-19)
5. EASTER (White/Gold)
The Mass of Easter Day should be celebrated with great solemnity. The Easter candle, should be placed near the ambo or near the altar,
and kept there for the whole Easter season until the end of Pentecost Sunday. It should be lit for more solemn liturgical celebrations,
maely Mass, Lauds, and Vespers, during Easter Season.
6. ORDINARY TIME (Green)
The time throughout the year resumes with the 7th week and the 3rd week of Psalter.
References: Ordo 2018 (The Order of Prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours and Celebration of the Eucharist for the Dioceses of the Philippines);
[Link]; CatholicLink
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF
THE LITURGICAL COLORS
GREEN – used during Ordinary Time in the liturgical
calendar. It signifies hope.
RED – used during Pentecost, the Holy Spirit, the
Apostles, and martyrs. It signifies the fire of charity and
blood shed for Christ.
WHITE/GOLD – used during feast of our Lord Jesus
Christ, Mary, and saints who were not martyr. It
symbolizes glory, joy, innocence, and purity of soul.
ROSE – used during Third Sunday of Advent and the
Fourth Sunday of Lent. It symbolizes joy and love.
PURPLE – used during Advent, Lent, also in Requiem
Masses. It signifies humility & penitence.
BLUE – used during celebrations for Blessed Virgin Mary.
THE LITURGICAL CALENDAR
1. ADVENT
Four Sundays before Christmas
2. CHRISTMAS SEASON
Start: Christmas Day
End: Baptism of the Lord
3. ORDINARY TIME (Before Lent)
Start: After Baptism of the Lord
End: Before Ash Wednesday
4. LENT
Start: Ash Wednesday
End: Holy Saturday
5. EASTER
Start: Easter Sunday of the Lord’s Resurrection
End: Pentecost Sunday
6. ORDINARY TIME (After Easter)
Start: After Pentecost Sunday
End: Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus,
King of the Universe
