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Celebrations

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Description and comparative analysis of the celebrations of different religions and confessions

Celebrations

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3. Roman Catholicism
A religious celebration is a time of special importance marked by adherents to that religion. Religious festivals are commonly celebrated on recurring cycles in a calendar year or lunar calendar. Hundreds of very different religious festivals are held around the world each year and a religious festival is about celebrating something that is special to that religion.

The celebrations proper to the Catholic liturgy recall and make present again an event of the past concerning the life of Jesus, of Mary his mother or of the saints. In the liturgy of the Roman rite of the Catholic Church the most important celebrations are called solemnity and are:

Advent - the four-week season of preparation for the birth of Christ, and for the Second Coming. Often an Advent wreathe is used as a focus for prayer during Advent.

Christmas - Jesus' birth - often celebrated with nativity scenes, stories, pageants recalling the story of Jesus' humble birth in a stable surrounded by animals.

Epiphany - the visit of the three wise ones to Jesus just after his birth and their subsequent spreading of the news of his birth throughout the world.

Lent - the period leading up to Easter commemorating the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert fasting and praying. A time for personal reflection and improvement through prayer, fasting, and study.

Holy Week - the last week of Jesus' life, including Palm Sunday, which celebrates his triumphal entry into Jerusalem the week before he was crucified; Maundy Thursday, a remembrance of the Last Supper with the disciples; and Good Friday, the day Jesus was crucified on a cross, which is the most recognized symbol of Christianity.

Easter - Jesus' resurrection from the dead. Eggs are a major symbol of Easter since they symbolize new life. Crosses are often covered with flowers to symbolize Jesus' victory over death.

Ascension Day - when Jesus' ascended into Heaven.

Pentecost - the gift of the Holy Spirit, God's presence in the world, to Jesus' followers in the form of a mighty wind and tongues of fire.

Saints' Days - official days celebrating people who have lived particularly holy lives and are recognized as official saints.
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This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This web site reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.