Ordinary time in the Catholic Church refers to the liturgical seasons that are not part of the major feasts or events such as Advent, Christmas, Lent, or Easter. It is a period of reflection, growth, and discipleship, where the faithful focus on living out the teachings of Jesus Christ in their daily lives.
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Ordinary Time in the Catholic Church refers to the liturgical seasons that are not part of the major feasts or events such as Advent, Christmas, Lent, or Easter. It is a period of reflection, growth, and discipleship, where the faithful focus on living out the teachings of Jesus Christ in their daily lives.
During Ordinary Time, the Church celebrates the life and ministry of Jesus, his teachings, miracles, and parables. It provides an opportunity for believers to deepen their understanding of the Gospel, grow in faith, and apply the teachings of Christ to their ordinary, everyday experiences. This season is marked by a sense of normalcy and routine, reminding the faithful to seek holiness in the ordinary aspects of life.
Here are some interesting facts about Ordinary Time in the Catholic Church:
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Length: Ordinary Time is divided into two parts, one following Christmas and another following Pentecost. The first part extends from the day after the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord until Ash Wednesday, and the second part begins the day after Pentecost and concludes on the Saturday before the first Sunday of Advent.
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Liturgical Color: The liturgical color for Ordinary Time is green, symbolizing hope, growth, and life. It signifies the ongoing journey of the faithful as they strive to grow closer to God and live out their faith.
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Sundays: Sundays hold particular significance during Ordinary Time as they are considered “mini-Easters.” It is on these Sundays that the faithful gather to celebrate the resurrection of Christ and participate in the Eucharist. Each Sunday during Ordinary Time is assigned a Sunday in the cycle, indicated as Sunday of Ordinary Time, followed by a number (e.g., First Sunday in Ordinary Time, Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, and so on).
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Feasts and Solemnities: Although Ordinary Time primarily focuses on the ordinary aspects of life and the teachings of Jesus, there are certain feasts and solemnities that can occur during this season. These include the Feast of the Holy Trinity, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the Solemnity of Christ the King.
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Reflection and Growth: Ordinary Time encourages the faithful to reflect on the Gospel readings and apply Christ’s teachings to their daily lives. It is a time of personal growth, conversion, and discipleship. As Pope Francis beautifully expressed, “In this ordinary time, in which we live, doing everyday things, we can make an opening for the extraordinary to break in.”
Here is a table summarizing the liturgical seasons in the Catholic Church:
| Season | Color | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Advent | Purple | Preparation and anticipation for the birth of Christ |
| Christmas | White | Celebration of the birth of Christ |
| Ordinary Time | Green | Reflection, growth, and applying Christ’s teachings |
| Lent | Purple | Reflection, penance, and preparation for Easter |
| Easter Triduum | Violet | Commemorates the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ |
| Easter | White | Celebration of the resurrection of Christ |
| Pentecost | Red | Celebration of the descent of the Holy Spirit |
| Ordinary Time | Green | Reflection, growth, and applying Christ’s teachings |
In conclusion, Ordinary Time in the Catholic Church signifies a period of reflection, growth, and discipleship, allowing the faithful to live out the teachings of Jesus Christ in their daily lives. By finding holiness in the ordinary aspects of life, believers strive to deepen their faith and grow closer to God, making an opening for the extraordinary to break in. As St. Josemaría Escrivá once said, “Don’t let your life be barren. Be useful. Make yourself felt. Shine forth with the torch of your faith and your love.”
Video answer to “What does ordinary time in the Catholic Church mean?”
In the YouTube video “Ordinary Time: What Does It Mean? When Is It?”, the speaker explains that Ordinary Time is a season in the liturgical calendar that is divided into two parts. The first part runs from Christmas to Lent, and the second part runs from Easter to Advent. The name “ordinary” does not imply insignificance, but rather refers to the Latin word “Ordinalis,” meaning numbered or ordered. The speaker outlines that there are typically 4 to 9 weeks between Christmas and Lent, and the season coincides with the 34th Sunday before starting again at 10 or 11 if necessary. In essence, Ordinary Time is viewed as an opportunity to reflect on the significance of our everyday lives and our participation within the church community.
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Ordinary Time is the season of the Church year when Catholics are encour- aged to grow and mature in daily expression of their faith outside the great sea- sons of celebration of Christmas and Easter and the great periods of penance of Advent and Lent.
Numbered
The origin of the name Ordinary Time comes from the Latin word ordinalis, which means “numbered.” Ordinary Time, which occurs between Christmas and Lent then again between Easter and Advent, signifies a numbered (or ordered) list of Sundays that anchor our daily lives in the Catholic Church.
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Also, How many weeks is Ordinary Time Catholic? In reply to that: thirty-three weeks
Ordinary Time is the longest season in the Church’s year. Comprising thirty-three weeks, it is divided into two sections; one short and the other very long.
Beside this, What are some facts about Ordinary Time in the Catholic Church? It is the color of life and hope. Ordinary Time is divided into two time periods. Following the Baptism of our Lord is the first period, which continues until Ash Wednesday. Pentecost Sunday starts the second period of Ordinary Time, the longest liturgical season, as it continues until the Advent season begins again.
Moreover, Why do they call it Ordinary Time? A season designated as Ordinary Time follows each cycle. The word "ordinary" here does not mean “routine” or “not special.” Instead, it refers to the "ordinal numbers" (first, second, third, etc.) used to name and count the Sundays (such as the Third Sunday after Epiphany).
Correspondingly, What is the meaning of the 7th Sunday of Ordinary Time?
Response will be: The readings for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A focus on holiness and loving our neighbor. The first reading tells us not to bear grudges and gives us the Golden Rule. The second reading reminds us that all of us are God’s temples.
What is Ordinary Time in the Catholic Church? The answer is: Ordinary Time refers to all of those parts of the Catholic Church’s liturgical year that aren’t included in the major seasons of Advent , Christmas , Lent, and Easter. Ordinary Time thus encompasses two different periods in the Church’s calendar, since the Christmas season immediately follows Advent, and the Easter season immediately follows Lent.
In this way, Where did the name Ordinary Time come from? The origin of the name Ordinary Time comes from the Latin word ordinalis, which means “numbered.” Ordinary Time, which occurs between Christmas and Lent then again between Easter and Advent, signifies a numbered (or ordered) list of Sundays that anchor our daily lives in the Catholic Church.
In this regard, When does Ordinary Time start & end?
This first period of Ordinary Time runs until Ash Wednesday when the liturgical season of Lent begins. Both Lent and the Easter season fall outside of Ordinary Time, which resumes again on the Monday after Pentecost Sunday, the end of the Easter season.
In this manner, What is the symbolism of Ordinary Time?
It comprises the longest time on the liturgical calendar when the faithful consider the fullness of Jesus’ teachings and miracles while on this earth. One symbol often found in Ordinary Time is comprised of two fish and a basket of bread — symbolizing Jesus’ “Loaves and the Fishes” miracle. (See Matthew 14: 13-21.)
What Catholics should know about ordinary time?
Updated September 24, 2018. Because the term ordinary in English most often means something that’s not special or distinctive, many people think that Ordinary Time refers to parts of the calendar of the Catholic Church that are unimportant. Even though the season of Ordinary Time makes up most of the liturgical year in the Catholic Church, the fact that Ordinary Time refers to those periods that fall outside of the major liturgical seasons reinforces this impression.
Beside this, What are facts about ordinary time?
Response: Ordinary Time. May your Ordinary Time be extraordinary! There are normally fifty-two weeks in a year. These are made up of the Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter Seasons. Normally that leaves thirty-four weeks of “Ordinary Time”. Those weeks start from The Baptism of the Lord up to Lent, and start again at the Day of Pentecost.
Then, What is "Ordinary Time" in the liturgical calendar? Ordinary Time is a liturgical season, just like any other. And just like any other season in the liturgical calendar, this season celebrates a very specific time in the life of our Lord, Jesus Christ. When we think of liturgical seasons we typically think of the major seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter.
When does Ordinary Time start and end?
In reply to that: This term comes from the Latin ordinalis, meaning "numbered" or "ordered," and tempus ordinarium, “measured time.” The first period of Ordinary Time, called the Season after Epiphany, begins on Epiphany Day and ends on the day before Ash Wednesday (the beginning of Lent).