Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Aderibigbe, Chairman, Lagos Archdiocesan Liturgical Committee has described the celebration of the Liturgical year as an exercise of spiritual development. T he liturgical year, beginning on the first Sunday of Advent and carrying through the following November, is the year that sets out to attune the life of the Christian to the life of Jesus, the Christ. According to the clergy, the Liturgical year helps Christians to immerse themselves into the sense and substance of the Christian life.
He said, “The celebration of the Liturgical Year “possesses a distinct sacramental power and efficacy to strengthen Christian life. This it does by providing for the spiritual instruction and nourishment of the faithful. It imparts positively the life of the faithful. It exposes the faithful to the mysteries of salvation. It allows them to encounter Christ in the today of salvation.
“The faithful who go through the liturgical year becomes well grounded in the knowledge of the scriptures, that the Church seeks to expound during the three cycles of the liturgical year. The celebration of the various seasons, feast and memorials of saints provide the inspiration and the graces needed for Christians to live out their baptismal calling as disciples of Christ in the world.”
Speaking further, Very Rev. Fr. Aderibigbe noted that the purpose of the Liturgical Year is not to mark the passage of time, but to celebrate and understand more fully the entire mystery of Jesus Christ, from his incarnation and birth until his ascension, the day of Pentecost, and the expectation of his return in glory. The Archdiocesan Liturgy Committee Chairman said the Liturgical Year Calendar com Liturgical symbols municates what readings the Church has designated to be used for each day as well as articulates the special feasts and commemorations celebrated during each season.
With the celebration of the Solemnity of Christ the Universal King over, Christians are ushered into the season of Advent, the beginning of the new Liturgical year. At the dawn of another year, what shape would this new Liturgical Year take? Fr. Aderibigbe said, “The new liturgical year 2022 will take the usual shape except that in view of the liturgical readings, it will be observed as year C for Sunday cycle, while for weekday cycle, it is to be observed as year 2. The gospel reading for the Sundays of Ordinary time will be from the gospel of Luke. “The synod 2021 – 2023 is the major event of 2022 liturgical year. All other events will be expected to enrich the discussions at the synod. “
