By Annie-Rose Keith
Connecting Liturgy and Life
Editor’s note: For 2026, the weekly “Connecting Faith and Life” column has been renamed “Connecting Liturgy and Life.” The column consists of reflections on Part Two of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), which focuses on the Liturgy and the Sacraments.
cf. CCC 1168-1173; 1174-1178
My friend recently purchased a load of goodies from a “fast shopping” website, usually associated with gargantuan deals and quick shipping. She ordered bookmarks that were supposed to present scripture verses and positive-yet-biblically-centered affirmations meant to encourage and inspire. What she got was bookmarks featuring what was expected with the added bonus of subtle misspellings. Blessed was “Glessed” and Scripture was “Fripture.” This only served as a team icebreaker (at a recent women’s Welcome weekend) that resulted in many smiles.
Efficiency and silliness have their place, but in our church … OK, they still have their place. But in our richest traditions, sacraments and liturgy — intentionality and simplicity are a necessity because places that allow us to be intentional, quiet and solemn are few, if any. This is true during our liturgical year, but it is especially true in the season of Lent. We’re called to quiet ourselves, remove distractions and make the (sometimes) agonizing trek towards Good Friday.
These 40 days of waiting give way to the “feast of feasts” and the “solemnity of solemnities (CCC 1169). In fact, St. Athanasius dubbed Easter “The Great Sunday” because it’s when the mystery of the Resurrection, in which Christ “crushed death, permeates with its powerful energy our old time, until all is subjected to him” (CCC 1169).
Any member of the clergy will tell you that the preparation process for the Easter Vigil is multilayered. Certain things have to happen before certain other things can happen, which culminate in this fantastic liturgy of liturgies. There is nothing speedy or efficient about the Easter Vigil if a parish is to follow the prescribed rubric. The beauty that comes from such a feat of liturgical strength is magnificent if one truly allows themselves to enter in the readings, music and the overall atmosphere.
Want to keep the atmosphere of the Easter Triduum going all year? Consider adopting the Divine Office as part of your prayer practices. This is the “prayer of the whole people of God” (CCC 1175). This is prayed daily by members of the clergy and religious, to varying degrees, all over the world and is made very available to the laity. “It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his Body addresses to the Father.” The bride herself speaking to the bridegroom (CCC 1175).
Our Catechism presents the Easter Triduum and “its source of Light” as the usher of “the new age of Resurrection” which “fills the whole liturgical year with its brilliance” (CCC 1168). This tells us that the majesty clearly does not start and end at Easter, or even Christmas if we look at the liturgical year as a whole. The liturgical calendar is a tremendous gift that is one of the biggest illuminators of the path of salvation because various aspects of the Paschal mystery unfold especially when we commemorate the feasts of the Annunciation, Christmas and Epiphany (CCC 1171). Certainly, the “secular” year guides our calendars and commitments, but shouldn’t the liturgical year guide our souls?
Stay “glessed,” friends.