by Pam Brink

Created on: January 28, 2011   Last Updated: May 26, 2012

Every year the Roman Catholic Church celebrates two greats feasts: Christmas and Easter. The rest of the liturgical calendar revolves around them because they celebrate the two most important events in Christianity: the birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ. There are five seasons in the Liturgical year: Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter and Ordinary Time. Within these five major liturgical seasons are other special Catholic occasions. For example, the Feast of the Holy Family is usually the first Sunday following Christmas day.

Advent

The Liturgical Calendar begins on the First Sunday of Advent. For the 2011 liturgical cycle, advent began on November 28, 2010. The first Sunday of Advent, on November 27, 2011, begins the 2012 liturgical year. Advent has four Sundays or weeks leading to Christmas day, celebrated on December 25.

Christmas Season

The Christmas season begins on Christmas day and ends with the first Sunday in Ordinary time. During the 2011 Christmas season, January 1 is devoted to the Feast of Mary, the mother of God, which honors Mary for her unique role in Christian history. Sunday, January 2, recalls the visit of the Magi (The Epiphany of the Lord), followed on January 9 with the Baptism of Jesus, the first Sunday of Ordinary time.                                                                                        
 
Lent

The season of Lent is a six-week period beginning on Ash Wednesday (March 9) and ending on Easter Sunday (April 24).

Holy Week is the last week of Lent beginning on Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday (April 17). Holy Week includes Holy Thursday (April 21), Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and ends Easter Sunday (April 24).

Easter Season

Easter Sunday begins the Easter Season, which ends on Pentecost (June 12) and includes Ascension Thursday (June 2). The Sunday following the last or 7th Sunday of Easter (June 5) celebrates the Holy Trinity (June 19) followed by the Body and Blood of Christ celebrated in the United States on the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost (June 26).

Ordinary Time

Ordinary Time is the period between

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