ADVENT: A period of four to six Sundays before Christmas that marks the time of anticipating Christ’s presence. Color: purple
CHRISTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMASTIDE: Twelve days beginning the evening of December 24, celebrating Jesus’ Incarnation of the Word of God. Color: white
EPIPHANY: Means “appearance” and starts January 6. It marks the ways God continued to make himself known through Christ’s presence, beginning with the visit of the Magi, and continuing through Jesus’ baptism and signs or miracles, like the changing of water into wine. Color: white on January 6, Baptism of the Lord, and Transfiguration: green otherwise
ASH WEDNESDAY: The first day of Lent. It gets its name from the practice of placing ashes on the forehead of the faithful as a sign of repentance and mortality. Color: purple
LENT: Period of 40 days (excluding Sundays) beginning on Ash Wednesday and leading to Easter. It is a time of fasting, prayer, and generosity to the poor. During Lent, we remember Jesus’ journey to Crucifixion. Color: purple
HOLY WEEK: Begins on Palm Sunday and celebrates the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem (purple). Maundy Thursday marks the last meal Jesus ate with his disciples, washed their feet, and gave them a new commandment (no color or black). Good Friday (perhaps from “God’s Friday” in German) is the day on which Christ was crucified (no color or black). On Sunday (or beginning with a Saturday vigil), we celebrate Christ’s resurrection (white).
EASTERTIDE: Period of 6 Sundays beginning with Easter day. This period begins the first Sunday following the full moon that occurs on or next after March 21. It marks the time that Jesus spent with His disciples after His resurrection. Color: white
PENTECOST: Celebrated on the seventh Sunday after Easter (the “fiftieth” day). This day marks the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples and is considered the “birthday” of the Christian Church. Color: red
TRINITY SUNDAY: First Sunday after Pentecost that is dedicated to honor the Triune God of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Color: white
ORDINARY TIME: Period between Pentecost and Advent. “Ordinary” refers to the fact that these Sundays are “ordered.” Color: green
CHRIST-THE-KING SUNDAY: The last Sunday in the Christian year. It reminds us of God’s promise to reign and to prepare us for Advent as a season of Anticipating Christ’s return. Color: white
