Catholic Calendar

[Boulder257]

I recently ran into a calendar that was considered both “traditional” and “Novus Ordo.” Why the two calendars?

 

[Filioque]

I recently ran into a calendar that was considered both “traditional” and “Novus Ordo.” Why the two calendars?

In short the Calenar usually conforms to the Missal and Office (Breviary) of the Rite. Quite a few more than just two calendars in the Church. First there is a Universal Calendar for the Latin Rite, (Both the 1962 and the OF Missal) Then there are regional calendars, which take into account local feasts, including the date of the consecration/dedication of the local cathedral, local Saints, or the Religious Order that is used. The calenar is usually kept in a book called an Ordo, which can be National, diocesan or regional, as well as “proper” to a Religious Order.

Even when we look at the Calendar of the “Traditional” rite, there was change over the years. First when new feasts were introduced into the Missal, the calendar had to be updated. Secondly, over time some feasts “outranked” ordinary Sundays, so the Calendar was revised under Pope St. Pius X. Sundays were to no longer be outranked by feasts, except Feasts of our Lord, and Major Feasts of our Lady.

Then there are the Calenars of the Eastern Churches, which given the Office and Liturgies are different than those of the Latin Rite, have a different ranking, and feasts.

Most but not all Catholic Rites conform to the same dates for Easter and Christmas, however there are a few who keep older calendars based on the Julian calenar, and not the Gregorian (which most of us use). While this is for the most part kept by Monastics, you will still find some parishes that keep the old calendars.

The Calendar also has two different cycles, one that sets the dates for Easter, and other major feasts that are calculated based on a Lunar cycle, and that of the Sanctoral, or Saints days which follow the Solar cycle. All very complex, and probably more than you asked for.

 

[Boulder257]

Thanks, that was exactly what I wanted to know!

 

[diggerdomer]

Most but not all Catholic Rites conform to the same dates for Easter and Christmas, however there are a few who keep older calendars based on the Julian calenar, and not the Gregorian (which most of us use). While this is for the most part kept by Monastics, you will still find some parishes that keep the old calendars.

I wasn’t aware of that. Can you give any examples of Catholics celebrating Easter or Christmas on different dates? Thanks.

 

[James0235]

Most but not all Catholic Rites conform to the same dates for Easter and Christmas, however there are a few who keep older calendars based on the Julian calenar, and not the Gregorian (which most of us use). While this is for the most part kept by Monastics, you will still find some parishes that keep the old calendars.

I wasn’t aware of that. Can you give any examples of Catholics celebrating Easter or Christmas on different dates? Thanks.

I can think of two examples:

First, in 2001 the Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch returned his Church to the Julian calendar for calculating the date of Easter.
mliles.com/melkite/antiochianpatgregory.shtml

And 2nd, beginning in 1972, with the permission of the Holy See, the Roman Catholic bishops of Greece began to celebrate Easter on the same date as the Eastern Orthodox.
zenit.org/article-15952?l=english