Using Ordinary Time to Get to Know the Saints

Saints ABC Game

Most of us know how to observe four major seasons of the Church year—Lent, Easter, Advent, and Christmas. For example, we all know that during the 40 days of Lent, we pray, fast, and give alms. But how do we observe Ordinary Time? We sometimes erroneously think that Ordinary Time is less important (ordinary) than those aforementioned seasons (extraordinary). We need to remember that the word “ordinary” is used in this context in relation to the word “ordinal” or “counted” time, meaning that during Ordinary Time, we focus on how all time belongs to Christ. Ordinary Time means “God’s Time”!

One of the ways that we observe Ordinary Time is by focusing on the feasts and memorials of the saints and how they serve as models for us when it comes to discipleship. By getting to know the saints a little better, we grow closer to Jesus Christ.

A fun way to focus on the saints is to play the Saints ABC Game! Each of the saints in the game is featured in one of Bob’s Burnham’s books, Little Lessons from the Mystics or Little Lessons from the Saints. With a saint for each letter of the alphabet, who will name the holy people fastest?

Let’s use Ordinary Time to grow closer to the One to whom all time belongs—Jesus Christ—by getting to know the saints.

About Joe Paprocki 2742 Articles
Joe Paprocki, DMin, is National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press, where, in addition to his traveling/speaking responsibilities, he works on the development team for faith formation curriculum resources including Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts and God’s Gift: Reconciliation and Eucharist. Joe has more than 35 years of experience in ministry and has presented keynotes, presentations, and workshops in more than 100 dioceses in North America. Joe is a frequent presenter at national conferences including the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, the Mid-Atlantic Congress, and the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership. He is the author of numerous books, including the best seller The Catechist’s Toolbox, A Church on the Move, Under the Influence of Jesus, and Called to Be Catholic—a bilingual, foundational supplemental program that helps young people know their faith and grow in their relationship with God. Joe is also the series editor for the Effective Catechetical Leader and blogs about his experiences in faith formation at www.catechistsjourney.com.

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