I made my first calendar to better understand the Church Year. Calculating Easter, overlaying the Proper of the Saints, counting Sundays to figure Epiphany, Pentecost, Lent, the Ember Days, and so forth taught me a lot about my faith. It begins to tell a story: the clear, obvious cycles of celebrations for Our Lord Jesus, His mother, the angels, the legions of saints, bring their lives to life in our time. The Catholic Liturgical year is about reliving the life of Christ.
Through the Church’s year, we “re-live” the Gospel, from Christ’s Incarnation and Birth to His Ascension and Heavenly reign. In Spring He enters the world by coming to rest in Mary’s immaculate womb; nine months later, in Winter, He is born, circumcized, and given a Name. He is raised in the Holy Family, and meets His cousin, John. He goes into the Desert and we go with Him during our Lenten Season. Then follow His Passion and Agony, which are soon vanquished by His Resurrection, His Ascension, and the Pentecost. Now He reigns—forever—and we await His Second Coming as we prepare to celebrate again His First Coming.
Here’s how it looks, in brief:
|
Advent |
|
He is coming |
|
Nativity |
|
He comes |
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Circumcision |
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He follows Old Testament Law |
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Epiphany |
|
He reveals Himself as God |
|
Holy Family |
|
He grows up in a human family |
|
Candlemas |
|
Simeon’s prophecy |
|
Septuagesima |
|
We are in exile without Christ |
|
Ash Wednesday |
|
Without Christ, we are dust |
|
Lent |
|
Christ is in the desert |
|
Passion Sunday |
|
Jews make plans to kill Jesus |
|
Seven Sorrows |
|
Mary suffers at what is to come |
|
Palm Sunday |
|
He triumphantly enters Jerusalem |
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Spy Wednesday |
|
Jesus is betrayed by Judas |
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Maundy Thursday |
|
He offers the first Holy Mass |
|
Good Friday |
|
He is put to death and fulfills Old Testament
Law |
|
Holy Saturday |
|
He is in the tomb |
|
Easter |
|
He is risen |
|
Ascension |
|
He ascends to Heaven |
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Pentecost |
|
He sends the Holy Spirit |
|
Trinity Sunday |
|
The Most Holy Trinity has been fully revealed |
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Assumption |
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Mary is assumed into Heaven & crowned Queen |
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Christ the King |
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We recognize Christ’s Kingship now and forever |
|
All Saints |
|
We will triumph as have our heroic saints |
|
All Souls |
|
We pray for those who are awaiting their
triumph |
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Last Sunday After Pentecost |
|
Apocalpyse: He will come to judge the world |
Here is 2011, and here is 2012. They’re not especially pretty (no photos—yet), but I’m working on that.
Enjoy.