Important Dates in the Lives of Jesus and Mary 

    The liturgical celebration in remembrance of the Finding of the Christ child in the Temple should take place 

on the date of the event, April 9, except in years when such a celebration would conflict with the holy days of 

Lent and Easter. For example, when Easter Sunday falls on April 15, then April 9 will be the Monday of Holy 

week (the week of Holy Passion). The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple could be celebrated at such a 

time, because this event foreshadowed Jesus' death and Resurrection. However, if April 9 coincides with the 

first day of Lent, or Palm Sunday, or any day from Holy Thursday (Thursday of the Holy Mysteries) to Easter 

Sunday, then the celebration of this event could either be omitted or transferred to April 7 (if this date does not 

also conflict). 

Baptism of Christ (October 4) 

    Jesus Christ was baptized by John on October 4 (see chapter 7). The Ministry of Jesus Christ lasted about 

3  years, beginning in the fall and ending in the spring (at the Passover). The Baptism of the Lord is currently 

celebrated in early January, but it would be more appropriately placed in the fall. The liturgical celebration of 

the Baptism of Jesus should be moved to October 4. 

Ash Wednesday and Lent (February/March) 

    Lent should be kept the same length as it has been. Lent is 40 days from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday, 

not including the Sundays within Lent. Sunday is a day of celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, a 

celebration of our salvation, and so Sundays are not usually days of fasting, even during Lent. Easter is always 

a Sunday, and Ash Wednesday always a Wednesday, 46 days before Easter. In the Eastern Rite, Lent can be 

of a different length and need not begin on a Wednesday, according to the traditions of the East. 

Good Friday and Easter Sunday (March/April) 

    Good Friday will always be the Friday before Easter Sunday. Easter Sunday should be determined, as stated 

above, according to the Spring Equinox of Jerusalem and the Paschal Full Moon.  

Divine Mercy Sunday 

    The Sunday after Easter is Divine Mercy Sunday in the Catholic Church and should be celebrated in the 

revised calendar by all Christians throughout the world. All Christians must acknowledge and celebrate the 

great Mercy of God (see chapter 3). 

The Ascension of Christ 

    Currently (

A.D.

 2001), in some places, the Ascension of Christ to the right hand of the Father in Heaven is 

celebrated on a Sunday. Christians everywhere agree that Christ ascended to Heaven on a Thursday, on the 

40th day from the Resurrection (Acts 1:3). I understand that the reason for transferring the celebration to a 

Sunday is to include as many of the faithful as possible in the celebration of this event. However, this 

accommodation is not the ideal, not the fullness of the will of God, and shows a lack of faith among the 

faithful. Those who follow Christ should be willing to go to church on a Thursday to celebrate so important an 

event as Christ's Ascension to Heaven. When God gives the world the Day of Repentance, many of the 

faithful will live up to their name and become more faithful to God. The Ascension of Christ should be 

celebrated on a Thursday, the 40th day inclusive from Easter Sunday. 

Pentecost 

    Pentecost Sunday should remain the 50th day from Easter Sunday and the 10th day from Ascension 

Thursday. The celebrations of Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Ascension Thursday, and Pentecost Sunday 

236