Liturgical Year Resources
Liturgical Cycles
The start of a new liturgical year, beginning with the First Sunday of Advent, also marks the transition from one Lectionary Cycle (A, B, or C) to the next.
These cycles are a result of the Second Vatican Council liturgical renewal, which ordered a change in the Sunday readings at Mass so that Catholics would become more familiar with the text of the Bible. As a result we now have a three-year cycle of readings on Sundays built around texts from the three synoptic Gospels--Matthew (Year A), Mark (Year B), and Luke (Year C). The Gospel of John finds expression throughout the various cycles, particularly during the Christmas cycle and in Year B between the 17th-21st Weeks of Ordinary Time.
On Weekdays, the Church follows a two-year cycle, ie. Year I, Year II.
Lent, Holy Week/Triduum, Easter
The following Lenten, Holy Week/Triduum, Easter Resources are very helpful:
- Liturgical Directives for Lent and Easter
- Holy Week Liturgies: Historical and Theological Perspectives
- Holy Week Liturgies: Themes and Ritual Structure
- Holy Week/Triduum Music Ministry Planner
- A Guide for the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Roman Missal & Lectionary Resources
Revisions of Roman Catholic Ritual Books is an ongoing process in the life of the Church. The most recent revisions of the Sunday Lectionary and the Roman Missal (3rd Edition) for English use in Canada were completed in 2009 and 2011 respectively. These ritual books were accompanied by a revised General Instruction of the Roman Missal/GIRM which may be seen below by clicking on the image or links.
General Instruction of the Roman Missal/GIRM