Chapter One: Seasons of Love, Chapter One: Seasons of Love, Life, Life,

and Faithand FaithGoals:Goals:This chapter will explore the relationship of This chapter will explore the relationship of the liturgical seasons of the church year with the liturgical seasons of the church year with the natural seasons.the natural seasons.It will also explore the Paschal mystery of It will also explore the Paschal mystery of Jesus Christ and relate it to the universal Jesus Christ and relate it to the universal pattern of life, death, and new lifepattern of life, death, and new lifeObjectives: Students will…Objectives: Students will… Define the terms Define the terms Advent, Christmas, Easter, Advent, Christmas, Easter, Incarnation, Lent, Ordinary time, Pentecost, and Incarnation, Lent, Ordinary time, Pentecost, and Triduum.Triduum.Examine major questions related to life, death, Examine major questions related to life, death, and our purpose on earth.and our purpose on earth.Explain the meaning of the liturgical seasons of Explain the meaning of the liturgical seasons of the church year and how each season remembers the church year and how each season remembers and celebrates the Paschal mystery of Jesus.and celebrates the Paschal mystery of Jesus.

Overview of the ChapterOverview of the ChapterThe Christian mystery of faith is summed up in the The Christian mystery of faith is summed up in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. It is the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. It is the liturgical and natural seasons that give us a deeper liturgical and natural seasons that give us a deeper understanding of the Paschal mystery through understanding of the Paschal mystery through various symbols, signs, and specific Scripture various symbols, signs, and specific Scripture readings that connect our human experience with the readings that connect our human experience with the divine experience.divine experience.

The liturgical cycle begins with:The liturgical cycle begins with:

AdventAdvent - a time of preparation for the - a time of preparation for the coming of coming of JesusJesus. It opens with references to the second coming . It opens with references to the second coming of Jesus at the end of time, which is the Parousia. of Jesus at the end of time, which is the Parousia.

ChristmasChristmas – celebrates not only – celebrates not only the birth of Jesus but the birth of Jesus but many other feasts, such as Epiphany and the Baptism many other feasts, such as Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lordof the Lord. The infancy narratives, or Christmas . The infancy narratives, or Christmas stories, shed the light on the mystery of the stories, shed the light on the mystery of the IncarnationIncarnation

Ordinary Time Ordinary Time – the longest season of the liturgical – the longest season of the liturgical year takes place at two different times of the year.year takes place at two different times of the year.

• The first part goes from after the Baptism of the The first part goes from after the Baptism of the Lord until Ash Wednesday.Lord until Ash Wednesday.

• The second part resumes after Pentecost and The second part resumes after Pentecost and continues until Advent . continues until Advent .

• During this time, we learn the story of Jesus’ public During this time, we learn the story of Jesus’ public ministry and what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.ministry and what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.

The Easter TriduumThe Easter Triduum – is three most sacred days of – is three most sacred days of the church year – Holy Thursday (the celebration of the church year – Holy Thursday (the celebration of the Lord’s supper); Good Friday (the celebration of the Lord’s supper); Good Friday (the celebration of the Lord’s passion and death); and Holy Saturday the Lord’s passion and death); and Holy Saturday or the Easter Vigil (when Christ’s resurrection is or the Easter Vigil (when Christ’s resurrection is joyously celebrated.joyously celebrated.

The Easter season – celebrates the risen The Easter season – celebrates the risen Jesus. It lasts for fifty days, ending with Jesus. It lasts for fifty days, ending with the coming of the Holy Spirit on the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.Pentecost.

Note: throughout the liturgical year, Note: throughout the liturgical year, various other feasts day are celebrated.various other feasts day are celebrated.

• Mary, the Mother of God, is honored.Mary, the Mother of God, is honored.

• The apostles, martyrs, and saints who The apostles, martyrs, and saints who were examples of faith are were examples of faith are remembered. remembered.

The Liturgical The Liturgical Cycle of the Cycle of the

ChurchChurch

ADVENTADVENT A word that means “something is A word that means “something is

coming”coming”

The liturgical cycle begins in a late The liturgical cycle begins in a late November or early December with the November or early December with the first Sunday of Advent and proceeds for first Sunday of Advent and proceeds for four Sundays leading up to Christmas.four Sundays leading up to Christmas.

Advent is a time for preparation for Advent is a time for preparation for both the first and the second coming of both the first and the second coming of Jesus.Jesus.

The First Coming refers to the birth of The First Coming refers to the birth of Jesus, celebrated on December 25.Jesus, celebrated on December 25.

The Second (or Final) Coming refers to The Second (or Final) Coming refers to Jesus’ return at the end of time, Jesus’ return at the end of time, otherwise known as the Parousia.otherwise known as the Parousia.

ChristmasChristmasIt is one of the most popular and widely It is one of the most popular and widely celebrated liturgical seasons of the celebrated liturgical seasons of the Church’s year.Church’s year.Christmas begins with the Vigil Mass on Christmas begins with the Vigil Mass on December 24 December 24 and continues until the feast and continues until the feast of the Baptism of the Lordof the Baptism of the LordThis season is filled with special feasts, This season is filled with special feasts, which include:which include:1.1.Saint Stephen, the first martyr Saint Stephen, the first martyr (December 26)(December 26)2.2.Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist (December 27)(December 27)3.3.Holy Innocents, Martyrs (December 28)Holy Innocents, Martyrs (December 28)4.4.Holy Family SundayHoly Family Sunday5.5.Mary, the Mother of God (January 1)Mary, the Mother of God (January 1)6.6.EpiphanyEpiphany7.7.Baptism of the LordBaptism of the Lord

Infancy NarrativesInfancy Narratives: Two Christmas Stories: Two Christmas Stories

1.1. Matthew’s infancy narrative includes the visit of the Matthew’s infancy narrative includes the visit of the Magi, or wise men, from the East, following the star to Magi, or wise men, from the East, following the star to the city of Bethlehem and bearing gifts for Jesus.the city of Bethlehem and bearing gifts for Jesus.

The Magi represents the entire world, acknowledging The Magi represents the entire world, acknowledging Jesus to be the Savior of the world.Jesus to be the Savior of the world.

2. Luke’s infancy narrative includes Jesus being born in a 2. Luke’s infancy narrative includes Jesus being born in a manger, because there was no room in the inn.manger, because there was no room in the inn.

The angels announce the birth to the shepherds, the The angels announce the birth to the shepherds, the poorest people in town. They were the first to hear the poorest people in town. They were the first to hear the good news of the birth of the Savior, who is Messiah and good news of the birth of the Savior, who is Messiah and Lord.Lord.

• The heart of the Christmas season is our belief that the The heart of the Christmas season is our belief that the child born to Mary in Bethlehem truly was the Son of child born to Mary in Bethlehem truly was the Son of God, fully divine and fully human.God, fully divine and fully human.

• The word incarnation is the term used to name this The word incarnation is the term used to name this miraculous union of a divine and a human nature in one miraculous union of a divine and a human nature in one person, person, Jesus.Jesus.

Ordinary TimeOrdinary Time• Focuses on the overall life of JesusFocuses on the overall life of Jesus

• It is the longest season of the liturgical year.It is the longest season of the liturgical year.

• It takes place at two different times of the year. It takes place at two different times of the year. Beginning after Christmas season 9that is, the Beginning after Christmas season 9that is, the Sunday after the Baptism of the Lord), the first part Sunday after the Baptism of the Lord), the first part of Ordinary Time goes until Ash Wednesday.of Ordinary Time goes until Ash Wednesday.

• The second longest part resumes on the day after The second longest part resumes on the day after Pentecost Sunday. It continues until Advent begins Pentecost Sunday. It continues until Advent begins the liturgical cycle againthe liturgical cycle again

• Ordinary Time helps us recognize that something Ordinary Time helps us recognize that something extraordinary is happening in the ordinary extraordinary is happening in the ordinary happenings of our own life. happenings of our own life.

• During this season the gospel readings at Sunday During this season the gospel readings at Sunday Mass follow in sequence the story of Jesus’ public Mass follow in sequence the story of Jesus’ public ministry.ministry.

LentLent• Lent is the special season that begins on Ash Lent is the special season that begins on Ash

Wednesday and ends with the Mass of the Wednesday and ends with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday.Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday.

• The celebration of Lent begins with our The celebration of Lent begins with our receiving ashes with the words, “Turn away receiving ashes with the words, “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel”from sin and be faithful to the gospel”

• Ashes are a symbol of death and repentance. Ashes are a symbol of death and repentance. Having ashes placed on our foreheads for all to Having ashes placed on our foreheads for all to see reminds us to think about how we are see reminds us to think about how we are living our life in Christ.living our life in Christ.

• During Lent we pray, fast, and share what we During Lent we pray, fast, and share what we have with others, especially those in need. have with others, especially those in need.

• The first Sunday of Lent, which is the Sunday after The first Sunday of Lent, which is the Sunday after Ash Wednesday, always recounts the temptation of Ash Wednesday, always recounts the temptation of Jesus in the desert, when he was tempted three Jesus in the desert, when he was tempted three times by Satan.times by Satan.

• The temptations Jesus faced are three basic The temptations Jesus faced are three basic temptations every person faces: the temptation to temptations every person faces: the temptation to seek PLEASURE, POWER, and POPULARITY in place seek PLEASURE, POWER, and POPULARITY in place of God.of God.

• The meaning of the Lenten season is found in the The meaning of the Lenten season is found in the name given to this period of time in the Rite of name given to this period of time in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults: Period of Purification Christian Initiation of Adults: Period of Purification and Enlightenment. and Enlightenment.

• The climax of the season of Lent for the The climax of the season of Lent for the catechumens (those to be baptized) is their catechumens (those to be baptized) is their initiation celebrated in the three Sacraments of initiation celebrated in the three Sacraments of Initiation– Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist.Initiation– Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist.

Easter TriduumEaster Triduum: : the term means the term means “three days.” “three days.” The three special days of Holy Week that The three special days of Holy Week that precede Easter.precede Easter.

1.1. Holy Thursday: the celebration of the Evening Mass Holy Thursday: the celebration of the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper. The Church commemorates of the Lord’s Supper. The Church commemorates the night before Jesus died, when he had his last the night before Jesus died, when he had his last supper with his disciples.supper with his disciples.

The breaking of the bread and sharing the cup of The breaking of the bread and sharing the cup of wine which he gave as his body and blood. They wine which he gave as his body and blood. They become for us the sign and symbol of the New become for us the sign and symbol of the New Covenant, that Jesus established with his people.Covenant, that Jesus established with his people.

Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, giving us an Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, giving us an example of humble service that we are meant to example of humble service that we are meant to imitate.imitate.

The liturgy of Holy Thursday celebrates:The liturgy of Holy Thursday celebrates:

** the mystery of the Eucharist** the mystery of the Eucharist

** the institution of the priesthood** the institution of the priesthood

** Jesus’ commandment of love** Jesus’ commandment of love

Good FridayGood Friday The Church gathers and celebrates the liturgy of The Church gathers and celebrates the liturgy of

the celebration of the Lord’s Passion on Good the celebration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday.Friday.

The liturgy of Good Friday includes the Liturgy of The liturgy of Good Friday includes the Liturgy of the Word where the Passion according to John is the Word where the Passion according to John is read. We recall the suffering and death of Jesus read. We recall the suffering and death of Jesus through the terrible torture of crucifixion. He was through the terrible torture of crucifixion. He was charge as a criminal, found guilty though charge as a criminal, found guilty though innocent, and executed by the death penalty of innocent, and executed by the death penalty of his day. A sign above his head mocked him as his day. A sign above his head mocked him as “the King of the Jews.”“the King of the Jews.”

The Liturgy of the Word concludes with solemn The Liturgy of the Word concludes with solemn prayers of intercession for the Church and the prayers of intercession for the Church and the world, an invitation for all present to venerate world, an invitation for all present to venerate the cross of Jesus, and the sharing in Holy the cross of Jesus, and the sharing in Holy Communion.Communion.

It is because of the death of Jesus on Good Friday It is because of the death of Jesus on Good Friday that every Friday is meant to be a day of fasting that every Friday is meant to be a day of fasting and prayer throughout the year, but especially and prayer throughout the year, but especially during Lent. during Lent.

Holy SaturdayHoly Saturday A quiet day of preparation and A quiet day of preparation and

continued fasting and prayer as we continued fasting and prayer as we keep vigil while Jesus lies in the keep vigil while Jesus lies in the tomb.tomb.

The celebration of the Easter Vigil The celebration of the Easter Vigil later that night begins Easter later that night begins Easter proper with its fifty days of proper with its fifty days of feasting, after forty days of fasting. feasting, after forty days of fasting.

The celebration of Christ’s The celebration of Christ’s resurrection at the vigil service is resurrection at the vigil service is the most solemn and most dramatic the most solemn and most dramatic liturgy of the Church’s year.liturgy of the Church’s year.

At the beginning of the Easter Vigil, a fire is At the beginning of the Easter Vigil, a fire is lighted in a darkened church.lighted in a darkened church.

The Paschal candle is lighted from the fire and The Paschal candle is lighted from the fire and carried into tha church in procession, carried into tha church in procession, representing the Risen Christ, who brings representing the Risen Christ, who brings light and life to the darkness of death.light and life to the darkness of death.

The salvation stories are read from numerous The salvation stories are read from numerous places in both the Old and New Testament.places in both the Old and New Testament.

The renewal of the baptismal promises .The renewal of the baptismal promises .

New members of the Body of Christ are New members of the Body of Christ are baptized, confirmed, and share in the baptized, confirmed, and share in the Eucharist for the first time. Eucharist for the first time.

EasterEaster Easter is a word that points to the direction of the east. It is Easter is a word that points to the direction of the east. It is

in the east that the sun rises every morning, and it was on a in the east that the sun rises every morning, and it was on a Sunday morning that the women disciples found the tomb Sunday morning that the women disciples found the tomb empty.empty.

The risen Jesus would later appear to his disciples and others The risen Jesus would later appear to his disciples and others over a period of forty days.over a period of forty days.

Before ascending to his Father in heaven, he promised his Before ascending to his Father in heaven, he promised his disciples that he would be with them forever and disciples that he would be with them forever and commissioned them to “go”, therefore, and make disciples of commissioned them to “go”, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit’ the Son, and of the Holy Spirit’ (Matthew 28:19).(Matthew 28:19).

Because Jesus rose from the dead on the Sunday after his Because Jesus rose from the dead on the Sunday after his death and burial, Sunday has become known as the Lord’s death and burial, Sunday has become known as the Lord’s Day. It is the principal day for the celebration of the Day. It is the principal day for the celebration of the Eucharist.Eucharist.

Pentecost is the fiftieth—and final—day of the Easter season. Pentecost is the fiftieth—and final—day of the Easter season. This feast celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the This feast celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples, filling them with the fire to preach God’s saving disciples, filling them with the fire to preach God’s saving message of faith, hope, and love to the world.message of faith, hope, and love to the world.