CNP Feedback - Ordinary Time Marches On

The "Feedback Box" on the CanticaNOVA Publications website has proven quite effective in promoting communications on a variety of subjects, and expressing concerns of liturgists and musicians. From time to time, we'll compile a few of these questions or comments and put them in public view, with the hope that others with similar concerns may benefit from their content.

Q. Dear CNP:

Thanks again for your wonderful liturgical and music resources. I'm on your site every week!

How do I know what Sunday it is? Is the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time January 14, 2007?

We, in the Lutheran Church, live by the season — like Epiphany, Lent, Pentecost — and the Sundays after the Festival or Holy Day. Why don't you add something familiar to the schedule, like the Second Sunday after Epiphany. I never seem to know which Sunday is which? How can I find out?

I appreciate using your resources, but I will need to become more informed about Ordinary Time. I'm trying.

Lutheran Music Director

A. Dear L.M.D.

Thank you for your kind words about the CanticaNOVA Publications website.

In the Roman Catholic Church, once Christmastide ends (on January 8 this year), the "season" reverts to Ordinary Time. This week (January 9-13) is thus the First Week in Ordinary Time — that is, the first time since the Liturgical Year began in Advent that we celebrate Ordinary Time.

After the First Week in Ordinary Time would come the Second Week in Ordinary Time (beginning with the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time) on January 14.

Ordinary Time (named such because it is measured in "ordinal" numbers: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc) lasts until Lent (which begins on Ash Wednesday). Ordinary Time picks up again after Pentecost and lasts through the summer and fall, ending with the Solemnity of Christ the King, on the last Sunday before the next Advent.

While this may be confusing, you can always check a reputable calendar. See this one: Catholic Liturgical Calendar

Gary Penkala
CanticaNOVA Publications

see also Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)