In these days of mid-January 2026, with Christmas now over and the Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord recently celebrated, the Catholic Church fully enters Ordinary Time. It is a fitting moment to review and understand the entire liturgical year: that sacred calendar which organizes the life of prayer and celebration of the faithful, progressively making present the mysteries of salvation.

The liturgical year does not coincide with the civil year; it begins with Advent (usually in late November or early December) and is structured around the Paschal Mystery of Christ: his passion, death, and resurrection. According to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, its purpose is “to progressively develop the mysteries of salvation” and to enable the faithful to experience the fullness of Christ’s mystery each year by actively participating in the liturgy.

Below, we explain in detail and in a didactic way each liturgical season, its main colors (according to the official norms of the Roman Church), the most representative traditions, and the approach to the biblical readings, all based on reliable Catholic sources such as the General Instruction of the Roman Missal and the General Roman Liturgical Calendar.

1. Advent: A Time of Waiting and Preparation

Advent marks the beginning of the liturgical year and lasts four weeks (or, in some cases, three and a half weeks). It is a time of twofold preparation: to celebrate the historical birth of Christ and to await his glorious return at the end of time.

Principal liturgical colors:  Purple (violet), which symbolizes penance, conversion, and waiting. On the third Sunday (Gaudete, “rejoice”), rose is permitted to express the approaching joy of Christmas.

Notable Traditions:

• The Advent wreath with four candles (one for each Sunday), representing hope, peace, joy, and love. It is lit progressively as a family or in the parish, accompanied by prayer
• Novenas, retreats, and charitable works to prepare the heart.
• In some regions, voluntary fasting is practiced or festive excesses are avoided.

Readings and focus:  The readings in the lectionary (three-year cycle ABC) highlight messianic prophecies from the Old Testament (especially Isaiah) and calls to vigilance from the New Testament. Typical examples: “Be ready, for the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect” (Mt 24:42-51 in cycle A).

2. Christmas Time: The Joy of the Incarnation

It begins with the Evening Mass (December 24) and extends until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (the Sunday after the Epiphany, January 6). It celebrates the mystery of God made man.

Main liturgical colors:  White (or gold), symbol of purity, light, joy, and divine glory.

Notable Traditions:

• Midnight Mass.
• The Nativity scene (tradition started by Saint Francis of Assisi in 1223), with figures of the Baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds.
• Christmas carols and live nativity scenes.
• Feast of the Holy Family (Sunday after Christmas), Solemnity of Mary Mother of God (January 1), and Epiphany (January 6, manifestation to the peoples).

Readings and approach:  Central texts such as the Nativity according to Luke (Lk 2:1-14) or the Prologue of John (“And the Word became flesh,” Jn 1:1-18). The humility of God, who becomes a child, is emphasized.

3. Ordinary Time (first part): Growth in Daily Life

From the Baptism of the Lord until Ash Wednesday (the beginning of Lent). These are a few weeks that prepare the way for Easter.

Main liturgical colors:  Green, which represents hope, life, and spiritual growth.

Notable traditions:  Emphasis on parish catechesis, prayer groups, and continuous Scripture reading. Feasts such as the Presentation of the Lord (February 2, with the blessing of candles) interrupt the use of green.

Readings and focus:  Semi-continuous readings from the Gospel (Matthew in cycle A, Mark in B, Luke in C) and the Old Testament, showing the public life of Jesus and his teaching.

4. Lent: A Time of Conversion and Penance

It lasts 40 days, from Ash Wednesday until Holy Thursday afternoon. It commemorates Jesus’ 40 days in the desert and prepares for Easter.

Main liturgical colors:  Purple, a sign of penance and austerity. The fourth Sunday (Laetare, “rejoice”) allows rose.

Notable Traditions:

• Imposition of Ashes (“Repent and believe in the Gospel” or “You are dust, and to dust you shall return”).
• Fasting and abstinence (especially Ash Wednesday and Good Friday).
• Stations of the Cross on Fridays.
• Frequent confession and works of mercy.
• During Holy Week: Palm Sunday (blessing of palms), processions, and growing silence.

Readings and focus:  Texts on conversion, temptations of Jesus, and preparation for Easter (for example, the Transfiguration on the second Sunday).

5. Easter Triduum: The Heart of the Liturgical Year

It is one great three-day event: Holy Thursday (Lord’s Supper), Good Friday (Passion and Death), and Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil).

Liturgical Colors:

• Holy Thursday: White (or festive white).
• Good Friday: Red (or purple in some ancient traditions).
• Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday: White.

Notable Traditions:

• Washing of feet and Mass of the Lord’s Supper (Thursday).
• Adoration of the Cross and communion without new consecration (Friday).
• Easter Vigil with blessing of the new fire, proclamation of the Easter Proclamation, reading of seven passages from the Old Testament, blessing of the water, and renewal of baptismal promises.

Readings and focus:  Passion according to the gospels, accounts of the Resurrection, and texts that show Christ’s victory over death.

6. Easter Time: Joy of the Resurrection

It lasts 50 days until Pentecost. It is the time of greatest joy for the victory of Christ.

Main liturgical colors:  White during Easter; red at Pentecost (fire of the Holy Spirit).

Notable Traditions:

• Octave of Easter with daily solemnity.
• Ascension (40 days after Easter).
• Novena to the Holy Spirit before Pentecost.
• Symbols such as Easter eggs (new life) and holy water.

Readings and focus:  Acts of the Apostles (growth of the early Church), Gospels of the appearances, and Johannine texts on the Spirit.

7. Ordinary Time (second part): Maturation in Faith

From Pentecost until the beginning of the following Advent (about 33-34 weeks). It is the longest time of the year.

Main liturgical colors:  Green, symbol of hope and continuous growth.

Notable traditions: ordinary life of faith: Sunday Eucharist, daily Bible reading, works of charity. Feasts such as the Holy Trinity, Corpus Christi (procession with the Blessed Sacrament), Sacred Heart, or saints’ feast days interrupt the greenery.

Readings and approach:  Semi-continuous readings of the Gospel and epistles, delving into the teaching of Jesus and the life of the Church.

In short, the liturgical year is a pedagogical and spiritual journey that, through symbolic colors, living traditions, and carefully selected readings, helps the faithful to relive the mystery of Christ each year and grow in following him. As the Church teaches, “the liturgy is not merely a remembrance of the past, but a salvific renewal of the Paschal Mystery.” In this Ordinary Time that we have just begun, let us take the opportunity to delve deeper into the Word and live our daily faith with greater intensity.