Msgr. Pope on Ordinary Time

"Welcome to the wearing of the green, green vestments that is. The weeks of the year outside of seasons such as Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter are termed 'ordinary time.' It's a rather dull-sounding description, isn't it? 'Ordinary' time, hmm. . .

"But in this case, the word 'ordinary' does not refer to its typical meaning: 'common, usual, or unremarkable.' Instead, it comes from the English word 'ordinal' meaning 'relating to a thing's position in a series.' Some examples of ordinal numbers are 'first,' 'second,' and 'third.' Thus ordinary time refers to weeks/Sundays that are numbered (e.g., 15^th Week/Sunday in Ordinary Time)."

In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on the blessing of Ordinary Time in the Church's liturgical calendar.

To access Msgr. Pope's complete post, please visit:

Community in Mission: Welcome to "Ordinary Time" (12 JAN 21)