Liturgical Cycles

The start of a new liturgical year, beginning with the first Sunday of Advent, also marks the transition from one lectionary cycle (A, B, or C) to the next.

These cycles are a result of the Second Vatican Council, which ordered a change in the Sunday readings at Mass so that Catholics would become more familiar with the text of the Bible. As a result we now have a three-year cycle of readings built around readings from the three synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

In this section you can find information and activities related to each cycle:

• Cycle A Resources: The Gospel of Matthew

  • Books About St. Matthew and his Gospel
  • Video Introductions to the Gospel of Matthew
  • Activities for Liturgical Year A

• Cycle B Resources: The Gospel of Mark

  • Learn More About St Mark and His Gospel

• Cycle C Resources: The Gospel of Luke

  • Books about St. Luke and His Gospel
  • Activities for Liturgical Year C