How the Liturgical Calendar Helps Us Grow in Virtue

The Catholic liturgical calendar uses annual feasts, seasons, and cycles of Mass readings to help believers develop virtue and holiness. According to Angie Allen for Catholic Exchange, this framework is designed to deepen union with the Triune God and improve how people bring Christ into their human relationships.

The calendar functions through different cycles, including a three year cycle for Sunday Mass readings and a two year cycle for daily Mass readings. These varying celebrations and commemorations allow for ongoing training in specific virtues. For example, Allen notes that Lent teaches detachment, Advent fosters expectant faith, the feast of St. Francis highlights poverty of spirit, and the Annunciation emphasizes humility. Specific commemorations, such as the August 1 feast of Our Lady of Silence, encourage believers to ponder silence and apply that practice throughout the year.