How Many Days Until Ordinary Time?
The next period of Ordinary Time begins on Monday, June 9, 2025 (after Pentecost).
About Ordinary Time
Ordinary Time (Latin: *Tempus per annum*, "time through the year") refers to the parts of the Western Christian liturgical year that fall outside the major seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter. It is the longest season, focusing on the public life and teachings of Jesus Christ, and the call to discipleship in the "ordinary" circumstances of daily life.
Meaning: Growth and Discipleship
The term "Ordinary" doesn't mean unimportant; rather, it comes from the word "ordinal," meaning numbered. The Sundays in Ordinary Time are numbered consecutively. The season emphasizes:
Following Christ Daily
Focuses on living out the Christian faith in everyday life, work, and relationships, following Jesus' example and teachings.
Hearing the Word
Features continuous or semi-continuous readings from the Gospels (especially the Synoptics: Matthew, Mark, Luke) and other parts of the Bible, exploring Jesus' ministry.
Spiritual Growth
A time for steady growth in faith, hope, and love, nurtured by scripture and sacraments, symbolized by the liturgical color green.
Mission in the World
Reflects on the Church's mission to bring the Gospel message into the "ordinary" structures of the world.
The Two Periods of Ordinary Time
Ordinary Time occurs in two distinct blocks within the liturgical year:
- Period 1: Between Christmas and Lent
- Begins: Monday after the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (which itself is usually the Sunday after Epiphany, Jan 6).
- Ends: Tuesday before Ash Wednesday (the beginning of Lent).
- Duration: Varies from 4 to 9 weeks depending on the date of Easter.
- Period 2: Between Easter and Advent
- Begins: Monday after Pentecost Sunday.
- Ends: Saturday before the First Sunday of Advent.
- Duration: The longer period, covering late spring, summer, and autumn.
Together, these two periods make up the majority of the liturgical year (around 33-34 weeks).
Observing Ordinary Time
Liturgical Color: Green
Green is used for vestments and decorations, symbolizing hope, life, anticipation, and the growth fostered during this season.
Regular Sunday Worship
The focus is on the regular rhythm of Sunday Mass/service, hearing the Word of God and receiving the Eucharist/Communion.
Continuous Gospel Readings
Unlike major seasons focusing on specific events, Ordinary Time often features sequential readings through one of the Synoptic Gospels over a three-year cycle (Years A: Matthew, B: Mark, C: Luke).
Feasts and Solemnities
While not a major season itself, Ordinary Time includes important feasts like Trinity Sunday, Corpus Christi, the Assumption, All Saints' Day, and Christ the King Sunday (which concludes the liturgical year).
Personal Spiritual Practices
A time to cultivate consistent prayer, scripture study, acts of charity, and participation in the life of the Church community.
Numbered Sundays
Sundays are referred to by number (e.g., "The Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time") rather than by relation to a major feast.