As everyone is aware, on September 1st our Church began a new Church Year. In the Roman Catholic Church, the Church Year begins on the first Sunday of Advent.

Our Church Year is so arranged that its central place is occupied by our Divine Savior. Around Him are gathered all the angels and saints. Every weekend our Church remembers and celebrates the Resurrection of Christ. The use of the Eight Tones, those used for Bright Week – the eight-day celebration of Easter – are a reminder of this tradition.

Within a cycle of a year, the Church unfolds the whole mystery of Christ, from the incarnation and birth until the ascension, the day of Pentecost and the expectation of the blessed hope and the coming of the Lord.

The most pure Virgin Mary is accorded a most prominent place after Christ in our Liturgical Year. This is evident in the various feasts in her honor.

Around the persons of Jesus and Mary we see the grand choir of the Church Triumphant that is all the saints of the Old and New Testaments. Our Church, it should be noted, has a special place for the saints of the Old Testament. They are remembered because they prepared the way for the coming of God in the Person of Jesus.

Our Church, like a good mother, also remembers during the year, all of her children who have gone on before us into eternity. There are certain days that are designated as “Souls Days”. All the Saturdays during the Great Fast are such designated days and there are several others.
The Church Militant, that is those of us currently making our journey through life, are also remembered during the year. This is done by the Church asking us to engage in spiritual works, prayer, fasting and penance. These days are meant to help us on our journey of life.
Our Liturgical Year is a mighty hymn of honor and glory to God, in which the threefold church takes part – the Church Triumphant in heaven, the Church in Transition into eternity, and the Church Militant on earth. In the Church Year the entire content of our holy faith finds its most beautiful expression. Like a colorful rainbow our Church Year joins earth to heaven and enlightens, purifies, sanctifies and lifts us up to God.

As I am sure everyone is aware, there are 12 major feasts in our Church Year, feasts of Our Lord and the Mother of God. There are other various feasts that are designated as solemn or simple which references how they are traditionally celebrated. Unfortunately in many communities it is not possible, because of the distances that members must drive, to always observe these feasts in a traditional manner. Often they are integrated with the weekend celebrations.