June 18, 2013 REL Seasons - Ordinary Time, REL Asset - Activity, REL Catechetical - K–6, REL Topic - Catechesis
By: Allie Johnston
It is always an appropriate time of year to discuss the liturgical year with your students. Depending on the age of the students you teach, you can adapt the information to share.
The Liturgical Year is marked by special seasons: Advent, Christmas, Lent, The Triduum or Three Days, Easter, and Ordinary Time. The Liturgical Year 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. The church is currently celebrating the season of Ordinary Time.
Unlike our traditional 365-day calendar, the purpose of the Liturgical Year Calendar is not to mark the passage of time, but to more fully celebrate and understand the entire mystery of Jesus Christ, from his Incarnation and birth until his Ascension, the day of Pentecost, and the expectation of his return in glory. During the course of a year, the Paschal Mystery—the Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus—is viewed from different angles, in different lights.
Ordinary Time is a time to learn and follow the teachings of Christ in our daily lives, to grow as his followers, and to become better able to give witness to his Good news in our everyday lives. The season is called Ordinary Time because the weeks are named in number order.
Use Sadlier’s interactive Liturgical Year Calendar to learn about the liturgical seasons any time of year. Your students will appreciate the connection to the Mass, the weekly readings, and the special feasts that they’ll celebrate in each season.
Download a special Ordinary Time Printable Activity in English or Spanish.
