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Ordinary Time

What Is Ordinary Time?

Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara wrote,

“Apart from those seasons having their own distinctive character, 33 or 34 weeks remain in the yearly cycle that do not celebrate a specific aspect of the mystery of Christ. Rather, especially on the Sundays, they are devoted to the mystery of Christ in all its aspects. This period is known as Ordinary Time.

Ordinary Time begins on Monday after the Sunday following January 6 and continues until Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, inclusive. It begins again on Monday after Pentecost and ends before evening prayer I of the First Sunday of Advent.”

“The Sundays and weeks of Ordinary Time … take us through the life of Christ. This is the time of conversion. This is living the life of Christ.”

— United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

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Why is green the color for Ordinary Time?

Fr. William Saunders says,

“Green is used during the liturgical season called Ordinary Time. This season focuses on the three-year period of our Lord’s public ministry, and the Gospel passages, particularly on Sundays, recount His teachings, miracles, exorcisms, and other deeds during this time. All of these teachings and events engender great hope in the mystery of salvation.

We focus on the life He shared with mankind during His time on this earth, the life we share now with Him in the community of the Church and through His sacraments, and we look forward to sharing everlasting life with Him perfectly in Heaven. Green symbolizes this hope and life, just as the hint of green on trees in early Spring arouses the hope of new life.”

What is the significance of Ordinary Time?

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops says:

Ordinary Time is a time for growth and maturation, a time in which the mystery of Christ is called to penetrate ever more deeply into history until all things are finally caught up in Christ. The goal, toward which all of history is directed, is represented by the final Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.

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