The Liturgical Calendar: Ordinary Time

The liturgical color for Ordinary Time is green. This is to represent the time of growth and expansion of the Church following the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Green is a very natural color, and is often a symbol for growth and new life.  (The Catholic Telegraph)

Christmas Time and Easter Time highlight the central mysteries of the Paschal Mystery, namely, the incarnation, death on the cross, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, and the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The Sundays and weeks of Ordinary Time, on the other hand, take us through the life of Christ. This is the time of conversion. This is living the life of Christ.

Ordinary Time is a time for growth and maturation, a time in which the mystery of Christ is called to penetrate ever more deeply into history until all things are finally caught up in Christ. The goal, toward which all of history is directed, is represented by the final Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.
(United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)

Why the word Ordinary?
The term ‘ordinary’ in our common use typically refers to something being plain, unimpressive, or unexciting. A kind of ‘it is what it is’ mentality. For that reason, many people hear ‘Ordinary Time’ and they immediately think of the season as such. But that understanding doesn’t reflect the true meaning of the season.

Ordinary, in this context, comes from the Latin term ordinalis, meaning ‘numbered’ or ‘ruled’. This title simply refers to the ongoing and rhythmical nature of the season. Just like everyday life, there is a rhythm to the days and the weeks. Sure, we have holidays and special occasions that we look forward to that change the pace, just like we have holy days and feasts in the Church year. But those special occasions aren’t the whole picture, just like there is more to the life of Christ than what we celebrate in other liturgical seasons.

When is the season?
Technically, Ordinary Time has two parts, but it remains one season. The first part begins right after the feast of the Epiphany and runs until Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday (when Lent begins).

The second part begins the Monday after Pentecost and runs until the First Sunday of Advent. This part is typically about twice the length of the first.

Ordinary Time typically contains about 33 or 34 weeks, depending on how other Catholic Church feast days fall. Each of these weeks is denoted by the passing of time/

What are we supposed to do?
Like all liturgical seasons, Ordinary Time is meant to be lived! We aren’t passive receptors of the liturgy – or at least we shouldn’t be. We are called to be active participants! Participating in Ordinary Time means participating in the everyday life of Jesus.

Here’s a short list of ways you can fully embrace this liturgical season and get caught up in Christ:

1. Examine your habits. Your day to day life is typically just a series of habits played out one after the other. If you want your life to change, the first place to look is your habits. A great new habit to start: reading the daily Gospel.
2. Gratitude. Joy always finds its root in gratitude. Try starting each day by thanking God for five ordinary, everyday things. If you have a family, try going around the table at dinner time and list off things together.
3. Use your imagination to reflect on the daily life of Jesus. Imagine Jesus doing the simple things. Eating, walking, joking with his friends. Praying. Make yourself a bystander to the Gospel stories in your imagination.

(The Catholic Telegraph)

SOLEMNITY OF ST. JOSEPH, SPOUSE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (March 19)

SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY (The Sunday following Pentecost)

SOLEMNITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI (The Sunday following The Most HolyTrinity)

SOLEMNITY OF THE NATIVITY OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

SOLEMNITY OF SACRED HEART OF JESUS

The Golden Arrow Prayer
May the Most Holy, Most Sacred, Most Adorable, Most Imcomprehensible,and Unutterable  name of God always be praised, blessed, loved, adored, and glorified,
in heaven, on earth and under the earth, by all the creatures of God,
and.by the Sacred Heart of our Lord, Jesus Christ,
in the most Holy Sacrament of the altar. Amen.  

SOLEMNITY OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL

SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION OF MARY

ALL SAINT'S' DAY (November 1)


SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE KING (The last Sunday before new Liturgical year)
A Prayer to Christ Our King
Lord, Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King
     The beginning and end of all things,
You have made your Church to be a people
     that bears witness to the goodness and beauty of your kingdom.
By your Holy Spirit, you have united us as one body,
     called to live as one family of God.
Fill our hearts with your grace,
     that we would be close to you
     by being close to the vulnerable and marginalized.
Give us the patience to share one another’s burdens,
And give us the courage to always be friends of the truth.
May we remain with you always.
Amen.