Church Year or Liturgical Year begins with on First Sunday of Advent and concludes with Feast of Christ the King
Advent – four weeks we prepare for the celebration of the Birth of Jesus and His second coming
Christmas Season – begins with Feast of Christmas and ends with The Baptism of the Lord
Ordinary Time – between Baptism of Jesus and Ash Wednesday
Lent – begins on Ash Wednesday and ends evening of Holy Thursday 40 days of prayer, repentance, fasting to prepare for Easter
Triduum – 3 days before Easter beginning on Holy Thursday Evening through Evening Prayer on Easter Sunday. During the Triduum we celebrate Last Supper, Passion, Death and Resurrection
Easter Season – Easter Sunday evening until Pentecost, when we rejoice in Resurrection of Jesus . Lasts 50 days.
Ordinary Time – between Easter Season and Advent
VESTMENTS – clothing or garments worn by priests, deacons or liturgical ministers when serving the people of God at Mass or other ceremonies
CHASUBLE – outermost vestment worn by the priest during Mass over the alb and stole. Color of liturgical season or feast
ALB – full-length white tunic with long sleeves, secured around waist by a cincture. Albs are worn by priests and deacons under the chasuble or dalmatic. Also, worn by altar servers and liturgical ministers.
CINCTURE – a thin rope tied around the waist over the alb.
STOLE – a long band of cloth worn by priest around neck during Mass, Penance, Baptism. Sign of authority of Priesthood to continue work of Jesus. Also worn by Deacon, but over left shoulder as sign of service Color of Liturgical Season or Feast.
DALMATIC – worn by Deacon over alb and stole (optional) has wide sleeves.
HUMERAL VEIL – white or ivory long cloth which goes over the priest’s shoulders and covers his arms. It is attached by clasp in front. Used during Benediction or when carrying Blessed Sacrament in procession., Used on Holy Thursday and Good Friday when carrying Blessed Sacrament from and to main altar.
COPE – long cape that is sometimes worn by priests in ceremonies other than Mass, often color of Liturgical season.
MITER – high hat worn by bishop
CROSIER – staff carried by bishop
COLORS of vestments coincide with the Church calendar and highlight the Liturgical season.
- RED – represents fire of God’s love and blood of Passion and martyrs. Pentecost, Feasts of Apostles, Martyrs, Palm Sunday, Good Friday,Confirmation, Masses of the Holy Spirit
- VIOLET/PURPLE – represents periods of waiting or preparation,fasting, prayer, sacrifice, penance. Advent , Lent, Color of Stole for Sacraments of Penance and Last Rites, sometimes Funerals Advent – four weeks before Christmas Lent – forty days before Easter, Ash Wednesday to Holy Thursday.
- WHITE – Celebrations of rejoicing, purity of soul Easter, Christmas, Feasts of Mary (Assumption), Holy Angels Saints (Nov. 1) Most Holy Trinity, John the Evangelist (Dec.27), Chair of Peter (Feb. 22), Conversion of Paul (Jan. 25) Solemnity of St. Joseph, All Saints, John the Baptist (June 24), Sometimes worn at funerals
- GREEN – represents hope, growth, life Ordinary time – we focus on Jesus ministry From Pentecost to Advent After Christmas to Lent
- ROSE – Anticipation of Christ’s birth and resurrection Midpoint of Advent and Lent Gaudete Sunday – third Sunday of Advent Laetare Sunday – fourth Sunday of Lent