Christian Life Formation

Grade 9

I. Title: Liturgical Year

A General Overview

II. Introduction
In what year are you born? If this question is posted on you, what would you reply? Would you say in
the year 2004, 2003 or 2005? Or would you say on the year of the rooster, the pig or the dog?
We all have standard calendar time that starts with January and ends with December, yet there are also
plenty of interpreted time like the Chinese on their zodiacs having us the year of the rooster, the pig and the
dog.
Similarly, the Catholic Church has its Liturgical Calendar based upon the life of Christ. As we go
through this module let us learn the life of Christ as we discover the Liturgical Calendar or Liturgical Year.
Come and let us discover and learn.

III. Instructions
1. Read carefully and meaningfully the concepts of prayer present and understand them.
2. Read all instructions and follow them.
3. Answer all the questions asked and write it in the answer sheet provided.
4. Do not leave any questions blank or no answers.
5. Detach or remove the answer sheet and pass it on the due time.

IV. Competencies and Objectives

1. Differentiate linear, cyclic and spiral understanding of time.
2. Understand the sequence of events and seasons in the liturgical year.
3. Discuss the background of the Liturgical Year.
4. Illustrate the common signs or symbols used in each particular season of the liturgical year.
5. Portray the liturgical Year in a creative manner

V. Concept Discussion
A. Understanding Time
We can have plenty of ways and ideas on how we understand time but there are three basic forms of
understanding time: Linear, Cyclic and Spiral.

1. Linear Understanding of Time

This may be likened to a 100-meter dash that there is a start line just running to the finish line.

Beginning End
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Grade 9

In this model, it is clear that what has started can never come back anymore. For instance, we are born
or conceived from the start and we end in death, and nothing more. What happened before has no effect on what
is happening now. As Christians, we do not accept this understanding of time because Christ was not just a
moment of the past but an always happening.

2. Cyclic Understanding of Time

We can understand this as a time in a form of a ring or a flat circle. The movement of time runs around a
center and goes back to its start.

We may say that this may be likened to the Filipino concept of “Gulong ng Palad”. It means that means
that everything is already written in our palms and life would just go around it. In this model, Christ may be the
central point but there is no room for us to grow if time goes back again to where it begins.

3. Spiral Understanding of Time

A spiral is something that winds up around a center pole, by doing this moves forward or advances to
higher levels. Goal or End of Time

Beginning

This understanding of time fits our Christian life and belief. The middle line is the Christ events and we,
believers, are moving along this line and by doing so we move forward until we reach our goal. Having this in
mind the Church created a Liturgical Year centered in Christ and we travel around it in a spiral motion as we
continue to grow as Christian in faith and value.

B. The Liturgical Colors

For us to have a better understanding of the Liturgical Year, let us look into the different colors seen in
the church and their meaning.
1. White- It symbolizes purity and joy.
2. Green- It is a color that growth.
3. Purple/Violet- A color that implies Royalty (Family of the King and Queen) and a color for repentance.
4. Red- A color of Sacrifice and martyrdom.
5. Gold- A color of triumph and joy.

C. The Liturgical Year/ Calendar

Liturgy is the rite or body of rites prescribed by the Church for public worship. The center of that
Liturgy, of that public worship is no other than Christ Himself. Therefore, the liturgical year is a calendar for
the year based upon the life of Christ as we know it. Unlike the Gregorian Calendar that is divided into 12
months, the liturgical calendar is divided into five (5) seasons. Each season has its own theme and theological
implication. The five seasons are ADVENT, CHRISTMAS, LENT, EASTER and ORDINARY TIME.
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Grade 9

The Advent Season is the start of the Liturgical Calendar. It is a preparation for the first coming of
Christ also known as His birth. The color used for this season is purple because it symbolizes royalty of the
coming King and the penitential tone of Advent. After Advent is the Christmas Season and this is the time to
celebrate the birth of Jesus. We see the color white on the church to signify these joyous season. After
Christmas Season is the first part of Ordinary time that starts with the Baptism of the Lord. Green is the color of
this season because it is time for us to grow (season of growth).
Following the first period of Ordinary time is the Season of Lent. It is the time to prepare to
commemorate Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection. Our observance of the Ash Wednesday is the beginning of
Lent. The color purple fills the church because it symbolizes penitence. Lent leads us to the Paschal Triduum or
the three-day commemoration of Jesus’ Passion (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil). After Lent, is the
Easter Season with Easter Vigil, it is the season where we Christians celebrate the triumph of Jesus over death
in his resurrection and our sharing in this new life through Baptism. White and Gold are used in the church
signifying a joyous and victorious season. This season ends with Pentecost and the color red is used during
Pentecost to signify the flame of the Holy Spirit.
After Easter is the Second part of Ordinary Time. Green is still the color for this time. It is longer than
the first part to give us more time to grow and reflect upon the salvific implications of the Easter Season. It ends
with the celebration of the Solemnity of Christ the King.
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Grade 9

D. Liturgical Days
1. Sunday. Sunday is the center of the celebration of the week. It is known as Sabbath Day- the day of worship.
It is the day of commemoration of the Lord going back to the apostolic times. It is a principal day of celebration
of the Eucharist because it is the day of resurrection.
2. Solemnity. This is a feast day of greatest importance; it can have as its content a mystery of the Lord or a
saint. For example, The solemnity of the Epiphany, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God and the Solemnity of
Peter and Paul.
3. Feast. This is a commemoration or remembrance of an event in the life of Christ (for instance Presentation of
the Lord, Transfiguration), or of a saint that is of special importance (for instance the Apostles).
4. Memorial. It is a simple remembrance of a saint and whenever possible is celebrated on his martyrdom or
death.
5. Ferial Days. These are days of the week (except Sunday) having no memorial, feast or solemnities- an
ordinary day.

E. The Liturgical Year and the Biblical Readings

The Biblical Readings in the church is distributed to each season proper to its theme and occasions. To
have a better reflection of the Biblical Readings the Church divided it into two years: Year I and Year II. The
Gospel reading is also divided into three (3) cycles namely Cycle A, B, and C. Gospel Reading on Cycle A is
taken from the Gospel of Matthew, Cycle B from the Gospel of Mark, and Cycle C from the Gospel of Luke.
The Gospel of John is read during Feasts and solemnities.

VI. Activities
Instruction:
Read and analyse each of the questions and put your answers on the answer sheet provided for each activity.

Activity 1: Mastering the Calendar

Directions: Match Column A with Column B. Use Capital Letters only. Use the Answer Sheet for your answers.
Column A Column B
1. The starting season of the Liturgical Calendar. A. Sunday
2. It is known as the Season of growth. B. Ferial Day
3. The Gospel Readings for the Cycle C. C. White
4. It is the most important day of the week. D. Purple
5. It is the end of the Easter Season. E. Ash Wednesday
6. It is the season of Christ’s resurrection. F. Pentecost
7. It is the start of the season of Lent. G. Cyclic Time
8. It is a simple remembrance of a saint. H. Spiral Time
9. It is the color of Advent. I. Matthew
10. It is the understanding of time similar to the “Gulong ng Palad.” J. Luke
11. It is the Gospel of the Cycle A. K. Advent Season
12. It is the season of Christ’s birth. L. Ordinary Time
13. It is the color of purity. M. Easter Season
14. It is an ordinary day of the Church. N. Christmas Season
15. It is the understanding of time that is accepted by the Church. O. Memorial

Activity 2: My Own Calendar

Direction: Draw an item or thing for each season that could signify its meaning and give a 3-5 sentence
explanation why. Use the Answer Sheet for your answer.

Activity 3: My Reflection of Time

Direction: Make a good reflection about the importance of time. Make use of the tips of making a good
reflection from our previous topic. Use the answer sheet for your answer.
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Grade 9

VII. Biblical Verse to remember.

“For everything there is a season, and time for every matter under heaven.”
Ecclesiastes 3: 1

VIII. References
Cardinal Tagle. Talk about Solemnity of Christ the King. The Word Eposed. Youtube.Com
Raas, Bernhard. Liturgical Year, Manila: 1998
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Grade 9

Name: __________________________________________ Date:__________

Answer Sheet #3
Topic: Liturgical Year

Activity 1: Mastering the Calendar

1._____ 6._____ 11.____
2._____ 7._____ 12.____
3._____ 8._____ 13.____
4._____ 9._____ 14.____
5._____ 10.____ 15.____

Activity 2: My Own Calendar

Season Drawing of Item Explanation

Advent

Christmas

Lent

Easter

Ordinary
Time

Activity 3
Reflection

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Grade 9

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Answer Sheet #3

Key Answers
Activity: Mastering the Calendar
 Christian Life Formation
Grade 9

1. K
2. L
3. J
4. A
5. F
6. M
7. E
8. O
9. D
10. G
11. I
12. N
13. C
14. B
15. H
Activity: My Own Calendar
Drawing Rubric
Criteria Description Score
Relevance It depicts the season creatively 2
It vaguely depicts the season 1

Explanation Rubric
Criteria Description Score
Relevance Connects the drawing to the 2
season
Vaguely connects the drawing to 1
the season