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 2010.

The following Days of Prayers for the year 2010 have been approved by the Episcopal Conference:

World Day for Peace                                         Friday, 1 January 2010
World Day of Migrants and Refugees           Sunday, 17 January 2010
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins   Monday, 18 January 2010
Catholic Schools Week begins                     Sunday, 31 January 2010
World Day for Consecrated Life                    Tuesday, 2 February 2010
World Day for the Sick                                     Thursday, 11 February 2010
Day of Prayer for Temperance                       Sunday, 14 February 2010
Day of Prayer for Vocations                            Sunday, 25 April 2010
World Communications Day                         Sunday, 16 May 2010
Day for Life                                                        Sunday, 3 October 2010
Mission Sunday                                               Sunday, 24 October 2010
Restorative Justice Week begins                Sunday, 21 November 2010

St Patrick’s Day is a Special Day of Prayer for Emigrants.