This Sunday called "Septuagesima" because in accordance with the words of the First Council of Orleans, some pious Christian congregations in the earliest ages of the Church, especially the clergy, began to fast 70 days before Easter, on this Sunday, which was therefore called “Septuagesima”—the 70th day. The same is the case with the Sundays following, which are called Sexagesima, Quinquagesima, Quadragesima, because some Christians commenced to fast 60 days, others 50, others 40 days before Easter, until finally, to make it properly uniform, Popes Gregory and Gelasius arranged that all Christians should fast 40 days before Easter, commencing with Ash Wednesday.

We publish the sermon of Fr. John Jenkins on Septuagesima Sunday (section: Sermons & Lectures):

sermon of Fr. John Jenkins for Septuagesima Sunday

Propers of the Mass:

Septuagesima Sunday — Propers of the Mass

---