To find where the Church is in its year, check the date, season, and color on the official calendar for your diocese. Then look at the Sunday reading cycle or weekday cycle so you can prepare for Mass and prayer at home.
What the Catholic liturgical calendar is
The Catholic liturgical calendar organizes the year around the life of Jesus Christ and the celebrations of the saints. It begins with the First Sunday of Advent, not January 1.
There is a general calendar for the whole Church. A country, diocese, parish, or religious community may also observe local celebrations. That is why the name or rank of a celebration can differ from one place to another.
For the exact celebration on a date, use the calendar published for your country and confirm local details with your parish or diocese. The official calendar usually lists the celebration, its rank, the color, the readings, and the week of the Psalter.
The six seasons of the Catholic liturgical year
The liturgical year has six seasons. Each one helps Catholics follow a different part of the story of salvation.
- Advent: The year opens with preparation for the birth of Jesus and his return in glory.
- Christmas: The Church celebrates the Nativity of the Lord and the mystery of God becoming human.
- Lent: Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving prepare the faithful for Easter.
- The Sacred Paschal Triduum: These days begin with the evening Mass of the Lord's Supper and lead through Good Friday to the Easter Vigil.
- Easter: The season celebrates the Resurrection and continues through Pentecost.
- Ordinary Time: The Church follows the public ministry and teachings of Jesus in two parts of the year.
Ordinary Time does not mean unimportant time. Its name comes from the numbered weeks that help the Church move through the year in order.
What the liturgical colors mean
The color of the vestments and church decorations gives a quick visual sign of the celebration.
- White: Used during the Easter and Christmas seasons, and for celebrations of the Lord, Mary, angels, and saints who were not martyrs.
- Red: Used on Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Pentecost, celebrations of the Lord's Passion, and feasts of martyrs.
- Green: Used during Ordinary Time.
- Violet: Used during Advent and Lent. It can also be used in Masses for the dead.
- Rose: May be used on the Third Sunday of Advent and the Fourth Sunday of Lent.
Black may be used at Masses for the dead where local rules permit it. Gold or silver vestments may replace white, red, or green on more solemn occasions in the United States, but they do not replace violet or black.
If you are preparing a prayer space at home, let the parish calendar guide you. A simple cloth, candle, Bible, or seasonal prayer can help your family notice the change from one season to the next.
How the dates move each year
Some celebrations stay on the same calendar date. Christmas is always December 25, for example. Others move because their dates depend on Easter.
Easter is celebrated on a Sunday, so Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, the Triduum, Ascension, and Pentecost move with it. Advent also changes length because it begins on the Sunday closest to the end of November and ends before Christmas.
A solemnity can also be transferred when it conflicts with a celebration of higher rank. Holy Days of Obligation can vary by country, diocese, and sometimes by the day of the week. Use our guide to Holy Days of Obligation in the United States, then confirm what applies where you live.
How the Sunday and weekday reading cycles work
The Sunday Lectionary follows a three year cycle. Year A centers mainly on the Gospel of Matthew, Year B on Mark, and Year C on Luke. The Gospel of John appears at important times in every cycle.
Weekday readings follow a two year cycle called Year I and Year II. Odd numbered calendar years normally use Year I. Even numbered calendar years normally use Year II.
The cycle changes on the First Sunday of Advent, when a new liturgical year begins. In the United States calendar for 2026, Sunday Year A runs through November 22, while weekday readings use Cycle II. Sunday Year B begins on November 29, 2026.
When you look up daily readings, check both the date and the place. A local patronal feast or diocesan celebration may replace the reading listed on a general calendar.
How to use the calendar at home
Start with one weekly habit. Before Sunday Mass, look up the season, color, and readings. Read the Gospel once, then ask what one word or action your family wants to carry into the week.
During Advent, you can mark each Sunday with candles and use our Catholic Advent prayers for families. During Lent, choose a regular time for prayer and a practical work of mercy. During Easter, keep celebrating beyond Easter Sunday and continue through Pentecost.
You do not need to recreate the church sanctuary at home. Choose a few simple signs that help your family pray, and visit our devotional candle collection when a candle would support that routine.
Simple helps for prayer through the liturgical year
Choose a Bible and candles that help your family notice each season and keep a regular prayer time.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the main seasons of the Catholic liturgical year?
The six seasons are Advent, Christmas, Lent, the Sacred Paschal Triduum, Easter, and Ordinary Time. The year begins with the First Sunday of Advent and ends before the next Advent begins.
What do the liturgical colors mean?
White is used for Easter, Christmas, and many joyful celebrations. Red marks the Passion, Pentecost, and martyrs. Green is used in Ordinary Time, while violet is used in Advent and Lent. Rose may be used on one Sunday in Advent and one Sunday in Lent.
How do the Sunday reading cycles A, B, and C work?
The Sunday readings repeat in a three year cycle called A, B, and C. Each cycle begins on the First Sunday of Advent. Matthew is heard mainly in Year A, Mark in Year B, and Luke in Year C, while John appears in every cycle.
Sources
- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: Liturgical Year and Calendar
- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: Liturgical Calendar
- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: 2026 Liturgical Calendar
- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: Questions about the Lectionary
- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: Liturgical Colors