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.
![St. Patrick stained glass window - Image by Andreas F. Borchert [CC BY-SA 4.0]](https://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/SaintPatrick-stained-glass-window675.jpg)
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