What is the Liturgical Year?

What is the Liturgical Year?

he Catholic liturgical year is the annual cycle of seasons and feasts—beginning with the First Sunday of Advent in late November—that retraces the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and guides the prayer life of the Church.

  • The Church celebrates different seasons like Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time. Which season is your favorite, and why does it speak to your heart?
    Follow-up: What is one tradition our family has during that season that helps you grow closer to Jesus?
  • The colors we see at Mass change throughout the liturgical year. What do you think those colors tell us about what the Church is celebrating?
    Follow-up: Which liturgical color reminds you most of God, and why?
  • The liturgical year helps us walk with Jesus—from His birth, to His ministry, His Passion, His Resurrection, and the coming of the Holy Spirit. Which part of Jesus' life do you connect with most right now?
    Follow-up: What can you learn from that part of His life that you can live out this week?
  • The Church gives us a new beginning every liturgical year to grow in faith. What is one way you would like to grow closer to God this year?
    Follow-up: How can our family help one another reach that goal?

Praise to you, Lord God, maker of time and seasons. As a new church year begins, we thank you for your constant care. Walk with us through the quiet days of Advent as we wait for the light. Fill us with joy during Christmas as we welcome the newborn King. Cleanse our hearts in Lent through prayer and turning back to you. Renew our hope in Easter as we celebrate life over death. Strengthen us in Ordinary Time to live out the Gospel every single day. Stay with us now and forever. Amen.

  • Liturgical Year Family Activities
  • Create a Liturgical Year Wheel
  • Draw and color a large circle divided into the seasons of the Church year. Use the liturgical colors for each section and add symbols that connect to that season.
  • Build a Family Liturgical Calendar
  • Hang a monthly calendar in your home and mark: Holy Days of Obligation, Feast days of favorite saints, Parish celebrations, Family baptism anniversaries and Liturgical season changes.
  • Make a "Faith Through the Seasons" Scrapbook
  • Throughout the year, add: Photos from church celebrations, Drawings, Prayer cards, Reflections, and Favorite Scripture verses.