Liturgical Year

The liturgical year begins with the Advent and Christmas season, followed by a short period of "ordinary" time until Lent and Easter, then another period of ordinary time until the new liturgical year. At Christmas we celebrate the Incarnation of Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary. At Easter we remember His passion, death and resurrection. We participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass during the whole year as Jesus instructed, "Do this in memory of Me." Luke 22:19

By the sacrifice of his life on a cross, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, obtained the gift of eternal life in Heaven for us. Our entire year revolves around the mystery of Christ; "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life." John 3:16

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St. Pius X 50th Anniversary in 2005
Fr. Fox, Fr. Knudsen, Archbishop Brunett, and Fr. Horan concelebrating Mass

The Liturgical Year 2010/2011 (Year A):

Advent: November 28 to December 24, 2010: December 8: The Immaculate Conception of Mary (Holy Day of Obligation)
Christmas: December 25, 2010 to January 9, 2011: January 1: Mary, Mother of God (Solemnity)
Ordinary Time: January 10 to March 8, 2011
Lent: March 9 (Ash Wednesday) to April 20, 2011
Palm Sunday and Holy Week: April 17 to April 23, 2011
Easter: April 24 (Resurrection of Jesus) to June 12, 2011 (Pentecost): June 2: Ascension of the Lord (Solemnity)
Ordinary Time: June 13 to November 26, 2011: August 15: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (not a day of obligation this year); November 1: All Saints Day (Holy Day of Obligation)

The Liturgical Year 2011/2012 (Year B):

Advent: November 27 to December 24, 2011: December 8: The Immaculate Conception of Mary (Holy Day of Obligation)
Christmas: December 25, 2010 to January 9, 2011: January 1: Mary, Mother of God (Solemnity)
Ordinary Time: January 10 to February 21, 2012
Lent: February 22 (Ash Wednesday) to April 20, 2012
Palm Sunday and Holy Week: April 1 to April 7, 2012
Easter: April 8 (Resurrection of Jesus) to May 27, 2012 (Pentecost): May 17: Ascension of the Lord (Solemnity)
Ordinary Time: May 28 to December 1, 2012: August 15: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Holy Day of Obligation); November 1: All Saints Day (Holy Day of Obligation)

More information about the liturgical year can be found on the Seattle Archdiocese web site.