Hey there,
It’s well documented that when we hear music we like, we experience a physiological reaction that’s involuntary, exciting, sometimes unexpected, and often enjoyable.
We may not know the reason … or even be conscious of it, but we enjoy the way we feel when we listen to music, and we instinctively believe that listening to music might be one of the only ways to feel those particular enjoyable feelings again.
So we look for opportunities to experience rhythm and the good feelings that music brings. And we look for rhythm in other things.
Prayer can have a rhythm … especially the Rosary. Maybe that’s why I like it so much.
Some say the Catholic Church’s Liturgical Year has a rhythm to it. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says:
“The cycle of the liturgical year and its great feasts are also basic rhythms of the Christian’s life of prayer.” CCC 2698
Since living liturgically helps us to get closer to Jesus Christ, this is a rhythm that we should probably tap into.
Now is the perfect time, because Advent is this Sunday … and it’s the beginning of our new Liturgical Calendar.
This week Genuflect looks at what our Liturgical Calendar is and how it evolved, the meaning behind days and months, how to get started living Liturgically or to live more Liturgically … and I’ve also shared a new online Liturgical Calendar that’s available for free from Genuflect. Be sure to check that out!
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving in the US, so I wish you a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving and thank you for your continued support of this mission. I am blessed for everything I’ve learned through this incredible journey diving deeper into the Catholic faith, and I pray you are too.
Enjoy these resources and see what you can do to tap into the rhythm of a Liturgical life in this coming Liturgical year.
Keep Believing-
Katy Barrilleaux
Founding Editor, Genuflect
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The Evolution of The Liturgical Year
It helps to understand how things evolved in order to fully appreciate them. Here Philip Kosloski explains how our Liturgical Calendar evolved from the Jewish Calendar and what it entails … and he even offers a beautiful way to approach it.
What is The Liturgical Year And Where Did it Come From? | Aleteia
6 Moments in Jesus’ Life
The Liturgical Year is divided into 6 main moments in Jesus’ life. Father Ed Broom lays them all out here in a very easy to follow way, making it easy to understand the flow of the Liturgical Year.
Get to Know Jesus Through The Liturgical Year | Catholic Exchange
The Meaning of Days and Months
In addition to the Liturgical Calendar, the Catholic Church has also assigned special meaning to the days of the week and the months of the year. Sam Guzman enlightens us.
Sanctifying Time: The Catholic Meaning of Days And Months | The Catholic Gentleman
Genuflect’s Liturgical Calendar
To help you live more liturgically, Genuflect has created a Liturgical Year Calendar. On the website’s calendar, you’ll find the feast days and other important days of our year, along with links to various Genuflect resources that provide related prayers and background details. You’ll even see the weekly newsletter linked on every Wednesday. You can bookmark this calendar page, or download the calendar to add these important days to your online calendar. Enjoy!
Genuflect Catholic Calendar | Genuflect
How to Live Liturgically
If you’d like to begin Living Liturgically, here’s a great guide on how to get started. Or, if you want to see how you can live more liturgically, you may find some great ideas here.
Liturgical Living For Life | Catholic Education Resource Center
Color Coding The Liturgical Year
Did you know that the Liturgical Calendar is color coded? Every day in our Liturgical year is a specific color. And those colors have meaning. Here’s a cool infographic that explains each color.
The Symbolic Meaning of The 5 Colors Used Throughout The Liturgical Year, in One Infographic | ChurchPOP
Who’s Your Patron Saint?
Have you selected a Patron Saint? If not, there’s no time like the present. Katie Zalany recommends choosing a Patron Saint to emulate and to be your Spiritual guide for liturgical living.
Living Liturgically Part 2: Choosing a Patron Saint | Catholic 365
Living Liturgically During Advent
If the holiday season tends to burn you out before Christmas arrives, consider doing it differently this year. Lisa Kirk recommends focusing on the liturgical calendar during Advent and leaving some of the celebrations for Christmas day. She offers 6 tips for a liturgically focused Advent.
Living Liturgically During Advent | Blessed is She
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Inspiration on Your Desktop And Phone
Click below to download this week’s free inspirational Christmas wallpaper for your desktop and your phone. Or download one of the previous wallpapers
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