Septuagesima - Devotional and liturgical practices, Liturgical reforms, Vestiges of the season

In the Western Christian Church, the third Sunday before Lent, apparently so called by analogy with Quinquagesima which is two Sundays later. (Lat septuagesimus, ‘seventieth’.)

Liturgical year
Western
Advent Christmas season Epiphany Lent Easter season Feast of the Ascension Pentecost Ordinary Time (Kingdomtide)
Eastern
Feast of Cross Nativity Fast Nativity Theophany Great Lent Pascha Pentecost Transfiguration Dormition Intercession

Septuagesima (in full, Septuagesima Sunday), an observance no longer in use except in the "traditional" calendars, was the name given to the third from the last Sunday before Lent in the Catholic and Anglican churches. The next two Sundays were labelled Sexagesima and Quinquagesima, the latter sometimes also called Shrove Sunday. The earliest Septuagesima Sunday could occur was January 18 (Easter falling on March 22 in nonleap year) and the latest was February 22 (Easter falling on April 25 in leap year).

Devotional and liturgical practices

The 17-day period beginning on Septuagesima Sunday was intended to be observed as a preparation for the season of Lent, which of course is itself a period of spiritual preparation (for Easter); in many countries, however, Septuagesima Sunday marked the traditional start of the carnival season, culminating on Shrove Tuesday, more commonly known as Mardi Gras.

In the Roman Catholic liturgy, the Alleluia ceased to be sung during Mass, effective on Septuagesima Sunday, not to be sung again until Easter.

Liturgical reforms

With the liturgical reforms adopted after the Second Vatican Council, Septuagesima, Sexagesima and Quinquagesima Sundays were dropped and the period encompassing them became part of Ordinary Time; In the Anglican Churches these Sundays are known as the last three "Sundays after Epiphany."

Vestiges of the season

A version of the season still does exist in the Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar, and is known as Triódion (although it is only 15 days long and not 17 since the Eastern Orthodox Lent commences on a Monday instead of a Wednesday).