Te Rūnanga o te Hāhi Katorika ki Aotearoa

The Liturgical Seasons

The Catholic Church has different seasons throughout the year. These seasons include Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter.

Advent

Advent is the season before Christmas to prepare for the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Catholics prepare by prayer and reflection of Jesus's birth.

The first two weeks focus on Jesus final coming as Lord and Judge. The last eight days focus on his coming in history (Christmas)

The first Sunday of Advent in the first day of the Church year.

Christmas

Christmas is a Holy Day of Obligation in the Catholic Church. Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. This holiday is celebrated on December 25.

Christmastide follows, with its conclusion at Epiphany. During this time the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God (Jan 1) and the Feast of the Holy Family (Sunday after Christmas) are celebrated.

Lent

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends the day before Easter Sunday. This is a time of repentance and preparation for the Easter season

The last week of Lent is called Holy Week beginning with Palm Sunday, and then Holy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper, and Good Friday the passion and death of Jesus.

The bishop of the diocese usually celebrates the Chrism Mass on the Wednesday of Holy Week.

Easter

The Easter season is when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because of the importance of the feast, the season lasts 50 days finishing on Pentecost Sunday.

Ordinary Time

Ordinary time means numbered or ordered time. Ordinary time is broken down into two parts. The first part is the Monday after the Baptism of Jesus Christ to Ash Wednesday. The second part is from Pentecost Monday to the first Sunday of Advent.