Liturgical Year

During the course of the year, the church calendar invites us to celebrate the entire mystery of our faith....from the yearning for Jesus Christ in Advent to the celebration of his birth, his coming among us at Christmas, through his life of discipleship and ministry in Ordinary Time and Lent, to his suffering, passion, death and resurrection celebrated at Easter until his ascension, the day of Pentecost, and the expectation of his coming again in glory. Then we return to Ordinary Time.

It is the one mystery that we encounter throughout the year, but from different vantage points. The unfolding of the liturgical year from the First Sunday of Advent until the final Sunday, Feast of Christ the King, is an invitation to us to enter more deeply into the life of Christ at this stage of our lives....and to allow the mystery of Christ to unfold in our lives, as we encounter the gift and the challenge of Christ’s life, passion, death and resurrection in our lives.

The Liturgical Calendar first tells us what readings the Church has designated to be used for each day. Then it names the special feasts and commemorations celebrated during each season.

CLICK HERE for the Liturgical Calendar for Ireland

CLICK HERE for Key Liturgical Dates 2009 - 2015

The Liturgical Calendar also indicates the colour to the season. As each liturgical season has its own distinctive focus, this is reflected in the readings at Mass, in the specific prayers, rituals, music, and also in the colour of vestments worn by the presider. It is a visual reminder of the atmosphere and spirit of the specific season.

When we come together to celebrate as a community, we each have a particular part to play. As laypeople, we may, at times, participate simply as members of the congregation. At other times, we are Liturgical ministers, taking responsibility for proclaiming the Word, altar serving, announcing the prayer of the faithful, and distributing Holy Communion. The priest takes on the liturgical role of presider at our celebration of liturgy.

The Liturgical Year is the church’s calendar, marking the special seasons—Advent, Christmas, Lent, the Triduum , Easter, and Ordinary Time. It begins on the first Sunday of Advent, which usually occurs around the beginning of December or the end of November, and ends on the feast of Christ the King, which is the final Sunday of the year, before Advent.

Days of Prayer for 2009

The following Days of Prayer have been approved by the Episcopal Conference:

World Day of Peace Thursday, 1 January 2009
World Day for Migrants and Refugees Sunday, 18 January 2009
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins Sunday, 18 January 2009
Catholic Education Week begins Monday, 26 January 2009
World Day of Consecrated Life Monday, 2 February 2009
World Day for the Sick Wednesday, 11 February 2009
Day of Prayer for Temperance Sunday, 22 February 2009
Day of Prayer for Vocations Sunday, 3 May 2009
World Communications Day Sunday, 24 May 2009
Day for Life Sunday, 4 October 2009
Day of Prayer for Emigrants Sunday, 11 October 2009
Mission Sunday Sunday, 18 October 2009
Restorative Justice Week begins Sunday, 15 November 2009