There are different seasons and observances which make up the church's year. They have developed throughout the centuries to help Christians remember the important origins, teachings, and key points of their faith. In addition to the seasonal observances, there are special days to commemorate the lives of the saints, feasts of Our Lord, and days particular to individual churches or perhaps a diocese. 

(Latin word, 'adventus', which means 'coming') is the first season, the beginning, of the Church Year.  It specifically remembers the coming of Jesus, both past and future.  It is spread over the four weeks before Christmas Day.  The colour for this season is purple.  

Celebrates the birth or 'incarnation' of Christ, and is a fixed date (25th December), which means  the season of Advent varies in length - this is due to when St. Andrew's Day (29th November) is celebrated, which begins the season of Advent.  The colour for the season is white. 

(Greek verb, 'epiphanereo,' which means 'I reveal') follows on the 6th January. It commemorates the visit of the Magi (often called the Kings or Wise Men) to the infant Jesus - an event which probably occurred some two years after his birth. The season of Epiphany continues to reflect on the way in which God is revealed to the world. Often the Christmas crib is converted to an 'Epiphany House' to show the difference in Jesus' age - the family would have left the stable or cave by this time.  The colour for the season is white. 

Celebrates the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, forty days after his birth. It is therefore celebrated on February 2nd.  This marks the end of the season of Epiphany and it is the day on which the Christmas Crib / Epiphany house is removed.  The colour for this celebration is white. 

This is the beginning of the season of Lent. Its' date is calculated by counting back 47 days from Easter day (40 days not including Sundays). Lent is a season of penitence, discipline and preparation, which means the penitential colour purple is used; originally it was a period of time used by candidates (Catachumens) preparing for baptism at Easter.  

Is a 'moveable feast', which is now calculated by finding the first Sunday after the spring full moon. The Easter season lasts until Pentecost, and celebrates the resurrection of Jeus Christ from the dead.  The colour is white. 

Occurs 40 days after Easter commemorates the ascension of Jesus into heaven. The colour is white. 

(From the Greek 'pente' which means fifty). The feast occurs 50 days after Easter, and commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit to the disciples.  The colour is red, signifying the Holy Spirit. 

Is the Sunday after Pentecost. Here the church reflects on the nature of God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three persons yet one God. The colour is white. 

(Meaning the Body of Christ) is a Feast in honour of the Blessed Sacrament, and is celebrated on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday - the first clear Thursday (outside a season) since Maundy Thursday. The colour is white.

Follows Trinity and continues until Advent.  The colour of the season is green. 

Saints' Days

These occur throughout the year, often on the date when a saint died or suffered martyrdom.  The colours vary according to the celebration.