Is Ordinary Time Ordinary?  

The Last Supper: Liturgical Seasons of the Year.

ORDINARY TIME

Ordinary Time is called Tempus Per Annum ("time throughout the year").  It is the liturgical period outside of the distinctive liturgical seasons, in which specific aspects of the mystery of Christ are celebrated.  The days of Ordinary Time, especially the Sundays, "are devoted to the mystery of Christ in all its aspects.

Ordinary Time therefore runs 33 or 34 weeks, and falls between Christmas and Lent, ( the Monday following the Baptism of the Lord, until the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday); and between Easter and Advent, (Monday following Pentecost until the evening before Advent) . 

Both online and print sources indicate that Ordinary Time derives its name from the word ordinal, meaning "numbered," since the Sundays of Ordinary Time, as in other seasons, are expressed numerically. However, others suggest the etymology of "Ordinary Time" is related to our word "ordinary" (which itself has a connotation of time and order, derived from the Latin word ordo).
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BACKGROUND TO ORDINARY TIME.

From a historical perspective, the use of the term "Ordinary Time" was used before the Second Vatican Council, but it was not until after the council that the term was officially used to designate the period between Epiphany and Lent, and the period between Pentecost and Advent. Rather than being called the "Season of Ordinary Time," the times were called "Season After Epiphany" and "Season After Pentecost"

After the new Catholic Calendar took effect in 1969, these older designations were no longer used. 

The liturgical colour is green because it celebrates and symbolizes The Holy Trinity.   The colour of green is appropriate because it is the most ordinary color in our natural environment.

The alternative name to Ordinary Time is the Sunday of the Year. During Ordinary Time, we remember and celebrate the parts of Jesus' life that were 'ordinary', much like our own lives. In this way, we are able to connect with the humanity of Jesus, but always keeping in mind His Divinity.

Ordinary time does not need to be "ordinary," and is not meant to mean that somehow we get a break from the Liturgical Year. The opposite is true: Ordinary Time celebrates "the mystery of Christ in all its aspects." I like to think of Ordinary time as an ’'extraordinary" time since it is a time given by the Church to enhance my  spiritual growth, and because it is gradual, Sunday after Sunday, I can make progress throughout the year. 

FEASTS DAYS AND ORDINARY TIME.

Many important liturgical celebrations fall during Ordinary Time, including, the feasts of Trinity, Corpus Christi, the Assumption of Mary, All Saints and Christ the King.  In addition, the Church continues to celebrate Saints days during the week, including my beloved St Dominic, and other events such as   The Octave of Christian Unity. Saints days do not usually fall on Sunday, since Sunday is the day of Resurrection- the Lord's Day.  

The major feasts, when occurring on a Sunday, supersede the regular Ordinary Time Sunday readings and liturgy. In the Australian Catholic Church, Corpus Christi has been transferred to a Sunday, so often there are fewer than the 33 or 34 Sundays labelled "Sundays of Ordinary Time," although these Sundays still fall within Ordinary Time.

May your Season of Ordinary Time

be blessed with extraordinary spiritual growth.