| Quadragesima Sunday | |
|---|---|
 Gospel on the 1st Sunday of Lent known asInvocabit | |
| Observed by | Western Christianity |
| Liturgical color | Violet |
| Observances | Church services |
| Date | First Sunday ofLent |
| 2024 date | February 18 |
| 2025 date | March 9 |
| 2026 date | February 22 |
| 2027 date | February 14 |
Quadragesima Sunday (Latin:Dominica in Quadragesima, "Sunday in the Fortieth"), also known asInvocabit Sunday, is the traditional name for the First Sunday ofLent in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church. Observed approximately forty days before Easter (excluding Sundays), afterAsh Wednesday, it marks the beginning of the penitential season of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving in preparation for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. Quadragesima Sunday may occur as early as February 8 or as late as March 14.
The termQuadragesima is derived from theLatin word for "fortieth", as there are exactly forty days from Quadragesima Sunday untilGood Friday. However, likeQuinquagesima,Sexagesima andSeptuagesima, the numeral is more likely an approximation of how many days there are untilEaster Sunday, in this case 42. While Quadragesima includes both Sundays and weekdays, the beginning of Lent was later changed to the preceding Wednesday, "Ash Wednesday", to get in forty weekdays.
'Invocabit' is the opening word of theintroit for the day.
In both the ordinary form of the Roman rite and common English parlance it is known as the First Sunday of Lent.
In theEastern Churches, the first Sunday of Lent is referred to as theSunday of Orthodoxy.
The designation of Quadragesima Sunday dates back to the early centuries of Christianity, when Lent evolved as a formalized period of preparation for Easter. By the 4th century, influenced by the Council of Nicaea (325 CE) and subsequent liturgical standardization, a 40-day fast emerged in imitation of Christ’s 40 days in the desert, Moses’ 40 days on Mount Sinai, and the 40 years of Israel’s wandering in the wilderness.
The name ofFeast of Orthodoxy commemorates, after 120 years oficonoclasm, the definitive restoration of theholy icons on Sunday, March 11, 843.
The term "Quadragesima" appears in medieval liturgical texts, such as theMissale Romanum, reflecting its prominence in the Roman Rite before the 20th-century reforms. Prior to the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965), Quadragesima Sunday was universally recognized as the First Sunday of Lent in Western Christianity. The Tridentine Mass, codified in 1570 by Pope Pius V, preserved its traditional structure, including the Introit "Invocabit me" (from Psalm 90:15–16) and the tract "Qui habitat." The penitential character of the day was further emphasized by the omission of the Gloria and the use of violet vestments.
Following theliturgical reforms of Vatican II and the introduction of theNovus Ordo Missae in 1970, the term "Quadragesima Sunday" fell out of common use in favor of "First Sunday of Lent." The revised Roman Missal simplified the nomenclature of Sundays during Lent, aligning with a broader shift toward accessibility and vernacular worship. However, the day’s core themes—penance, temptation, and divine protection—remained intact, with the Gospel of Christ’s temptation still central to the liturgy.[1]
In the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite (the Tridentine Mass), celebrated by traditionalist Catholic communities, Quadragesima Sunday retains its historical name and structure. The day continues to feature the Gregorian chant repertoire and other pre-Vatican II elements, distinguishing it from the Ordinary Form’s more flexible options, which may include vernacular hymns or alternative readings.
The Liturgy for Quadragesima Sunday features distinctive liturgical elements tied to the season’s somber tone. Quadragesima Sunday, the First Sunday of Lent in the traditional Roman Rite, features specific Gregorian chant propers from theGraduale Romanum orLiber Usualis, centered on Psalm 90 (Vulgate), emphasizing God’s protection. The Alleluia is omitted, replaced by the tract "Qui habitat," a Gregorian chant drawn from Psalm 90 (91 in Hebrew numbering), which underscores themes of divine protection and trust in God. The Gospel reading, typically Matthew 4:1–11, recounts Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, aligning with Lent’s focus on resisting sin and relying on God’s strength. These propers:
Unified by Psalm 90, these Mode I, II, V, and VIII chants create a penitential yet trusting tone, aligning with Lent’s themes and Christ’s temptation narrative.[2]
Historically, Quadragesima Sunday marked a significant moment in the Christian year. In medieval Europe, it signaled the intensification of fasting and abstinence, with the faithful refraining from meat, dairy, and other luxuries throughout Lent. Sermons often focused on Christ’s victory over temptation, encouraging believers to emulate His discipline. The day also held communal importance, as parishes gathered to begin the Lenten journey together.
In contemporary practice, Quadragesima Sunday (as the First Sunday of Lent) remains a key liturgical event. Many Catholics attend Mass, receive ashes if they missed Ash Wednesday, and commit to Lenten practices such asprayer,charity, or giving up personal indulgences.
In certain regions of France, Belgium and elsewhere, the tradition consisted, on this « dimanche des Brandons » also known as « dimanche des Bordes » or « dimanche brandounier »[3] (i.e. Sunday of the Brandons), of lighting fires, dancing around them and roaming the streets and countryside carrying lit brands or embers. In Auvergne, anthropologist François Pommerol, who analysed this event in 1901, saw in it the remains of an ancientsolar cult, linked to an invocation of theCeltic godGrannos.[4] InRégny, in theLoire, the villagers of the town load fagots onto a cart to which they harnessed married men, then gathered these fagots in the square in a pyramid, before setting them on fire.[5] InBerry, the brandons festival was also called the bordes festival.[6] InMiribel, inAin, on the Sunday of the brandons or the bordes, the last bride of the village lights a pyre. InChambly (Oise), the Legendary Festival of Bois-Hourdy takes place every first Sunday of Lent, which has existed since 1248. InOffwiller (Bas-Rhin), theSchieweschlawe takes place every first Sunday of Lent in a clearing overlooking the village, where beech discs at the end of a stick are set alight on a pyre, before being thrown by making them spin and then hit on a flat stone.[7]
Thebuergbrennen festivities centred on a large bonfire are celebrated in the towns and villages ofLuxembourg on the first Sunday of Lent to herald the coming of spring.[8]
TheFeast of Bom Jesus dos Passos is an annualRoman Catholic celebration held inMacau on the first Sunday ofLent, forming a significant part of the region's religious and cultural heritage. This two-day event, known locally as the "Procession of the Great Jesus" in Chinese, begins with anovena at the Church of St. Augustine and includes a solemn procession honoringJesus Christ'sPassion. On the first day, the procession moves from St. Augustine’s to the Sé Cathedral, and on the second day, it returns, following a traditionalVia Crucis with seven stations. Organized by the Brotherhood of Senhor Bom Jesus dos Passos, the feast features a statue of Jesus carrying the cross, symbolizing compassion and redemption, and attracts clergy, including the Bishop of Macau, and numerous faithful.[9] Dating back to the arrival ofAugustinian missionaries in 1586, this devotion reflects Macau's Portuguese colonial legacy and remains a vibrant expression of faith.[10]
ThePeople's Sunday celebrations are held annually on Quadragesima Sunday, the first Sunday ofLent atŻabbar,Malta, popularly known as Ħadd in-Nies, are living recollections of the centuries-old devotion toOur Lady of Graces (Il-Madonna tal-Grazzja).[11][12] The Maltese name of Ħadd in-Nies, People's Sunday, is an indication of the large number of visitors who used to go to Żabbar to render thanks and pray at the feet of Our Lady.
In the Swiss village ofCartigny, during the first Sunday of Lent, theFailles are celebrated, a tradition consisting of burning poles wrapped in straw, vine shoots and reeds in the evening when the first star appear. This festival is also observed in the hamlet ofCertoux, in the commune of Perly-Certoux. The failles are the equivalent of the brandon festivals elsewhere in Switzerland. The town ofPayerne organizes its carnival under the name ofBrandons de Payerne withMoudon and itsBrandons de Moudon.[13]
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Quadragesima".Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
| Sundays of theEaster cycle | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | First Sunday of Lent March 9, 2025 | Succeeded by |
