The liturgical year is the annual cycle by which the Church celebrates and makes present the entire mystery of Christ, from Incarnation to Pentecost.
**Advent** (Four weeks before Christmas)
A season of joyful expectation and preparation for the coming of Christ — both his historical birth at Bethlehem and his glorious return at the end of time. Its liturgical colour is violet (or rose on Gaudete Sunday).
**Christmas Season** (Christmas Day to the Baptism of the Lord)
Celebrating the Nativity and early life of Christ. Solemnities include the Holy Family, Mary, Mother of God (1 January), Epiphany, and the Baptism of the Lord.
**Ordinary Time (I)**
The weeks between the Christmas Season and Ash Wednesday, focusing on the ministry of Christ.
**Lent** (Ash Wednesday to Holy Thursday)
Forty days of penance, fasting, and almsgiving in preparation for Easter. Colour: violet.
**Sacred Triduum** (Holy Thursday evening to Easter Sunday)
The pinnacle of the liturgical year: the Mass of the Lord's Supper, the Celebration of the Lord's Passion, and the Easter Vigil.
**Easter Season** (Easter Sunday to Pentecost)
Fifty days celebrating the Resurrection. Colour: white/gold; red on Pentecost.
**Ordinary Time (II)**
The remaining weeks of the year, deepening the faithful in the mystery of Christ. Colour: green.
Liturgical Year
The Liturgical Year
The Church's annual cycle of seasons — Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time, Lent, and Easter — through which the faithful relive the mysteries of Christ.