Catholic Liturgical Calendar

The Catholic Church has it�s own liturgical calendar where the liturgical period and day dates for solemnity, memorial, feast and ordinary days are preset for each liturgical year cycle. The reading and gospel daily and Sunday mass during the liturgical year also set based on the liturgical cycle (Year A, Year B and Year C).

The new liturgical year begin on the first of Advent (normally at the end of November / early December) during the season we await for the first coming of our Lord, the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The last day of the liturgical year at the feast of Christ the King (at the end of November of the following calendar year) which marks our awaiting for the second coming of Christ the King, the Lion of Judah and King of the Universe on judgment day, the end of times.

The climax of every liturgical year is the Paschal mystery of the Lord (Easter Triduum - Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday) which commemorates the Passion of Christ (Last Super through the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ). The liturgical year is divided to 3 main liturgical times, Holy days of Obligation, Ordinary days, and Feast/Memorial of Holy Saints and Martyrs.

Liturgical Cycle, Year A, Year B and Year C

Why is the year 2013 in liturgical cycle year C? The church has 3 liturgical cycle, Year A, Year B and Year C The cycle also identifies the Gospel used. In Year A, it is the gospel of Matthew (2005, 2008, 2011, 2014, etc); Year B, it is the gospel of Mark (2006, 2009, 2012, etc); and Year B, it is the gospel of Luke (2007, 2010, 2013, etc). The gospel of John is included in all 3 years (A, B, and C) depending on the solemnity, memorial and faith. The liturgical cycle year is related to the number 3. To know whether the year is A, B, or C, we can divide the calendar year with 3. If the remainder is 1, then it is Year A, if the remainder is 2, then it is Year B, and if there is 0, then it is Year C. For example, year 2013 divide by 3 = 671 with no remainder, therefore year 2013 is Year C.

Year A, B, and C determines the reading and gospel, during masses on Sunday (Sunday missal). Daily masses (weekdays other than Sunday, daily missal) reading and gospel is based on even and odd year (Year I/Year II). Therefore year 2013 is Year I.

Therefore, when we have completed the 3 cycles in 3 years and the daily readings Year I/Year II then we have almost covered nearly the whole scripture in the bible within 2 -3 years.