As a more profound counterpoint to the civil calendar we follow each day, Holy Church has her annual liturgical cycles arrayed across the different calendars of recognised Rites. These cycles help us to keep track of our progress in holiness and to make progress toward heaven.

The first great liturgical cycle, which begins the Church’s calendar year, is Advent/Christmas, which stretches to Epiphany when, traditionally, three manifestations of the Lord’s divinity are celebrated: the Adoration of the Magi; the wedding at Cana; and the Lord’s Baptism. In the reformed, post-conciliar calendar those mysteries were broken up and the Christmas season officially ends with the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. However, the Advent/Christmas cycle has its beautiful ringing echo for 40 days from Christmas through to February 2, Candlemas (the Purification of Mary or, modernly, Presentation). The other great cycle is Lent/Easter, which extends 40 days from Easter through Pentecost (and its traditional Octave). Lent has its pre-echo, so to speak, with the Pre-Lent Sundays (ie Septuagesima, etc), which remind us to start planning our practice of penance and prayer.