1. The seasons of the liturgical year begin with Advent, a time of preparation for the      Christmas season. The Christmas season celebrates the birth of Jesus (on December 2) and continues until the Baptism of Our Lord.
2. This is followed by the first of two periods of Ordinary Time,
3. Lent which continues until Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent, a time of penitence leading to the Paschal Triduum after the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday. The Triduum is the three days before Easter.
4. Easter Sunday marks the start of the Easter season, which continues as a time of celebration until Pentecost Sunday.
5. Pentecost Sunday marks the start of the second period of Ordinary Time, which continues until the Advent season begins again.

For weekdays in ordinary time and other special days throughout the church year, there are two sets of readings for the day. These readings are assigned to Liturgical Cycles I and II. Odd years are assigned cycle I, and even years are assigned cycle II. Bear in mind that Liturgical Cycles start on the first Sunday of Advent of the previous year.

Violet - Represents Expectation, Purification, or Penance. Used during Lent and Advent.

White (or Gold) - Represents Joy and Triumph. Used during the Paschal Triduum, Easter, and Christmas, as well as for Holy Days and Feast Days throughout the year.

Red - Represents Royalty, Fire, and Martyrdom. Used on special Feast Days and Holy Days throughout the year.

Green - A sign of Life and Growth. Represents Ordinary Time.