The Easter Season comes to an end with evening prayer on Pentecost Sunday.  The longer period of Ordinary Time returns during which we go about integrating the great Easter Mystery into our lives.

In his apostolic letter approving the Roman calendar, Pope Paul VI noted some important facts about the liturgical year:

• Over many centuries, Catholics had become accustomed to so many special religious devotions that the mysteries of redemption lost their proper place.  This was due to the large numbers of vigils, holy days and octaves, and to the growing dominance of various seasons over the Church year;
  
• St. Pius X and Pope John XXIII restored Sunday to its former dignity, so that everyone should once more consider it as the Church's original feast day;
  
• The popes restated the traditional teaching of the Church:  The celebration of the liturgical year has a special sacramental power and force which nourishes and strengthens the life of Christians.  The Church year is not merely a recalling of the historical events by which Christ won our salvation;
  
• The reason for the restoration of the liturgical year is to help believers through their faith, hope and love to share more fully in the entire mystery of Christ as it is unfolding throughout the year.