Septuagesima Sunday This begins a distinct seventeen-day preparatory season, marked by three solemn Sundays: Septuagesima Sexagesima Quinquagesima Together, they form a gentle descent – not yet the fast, but the shadow of it – inviting reflection before sacrifice, silence before self-denial. In Mass today the Alleluia is buried. That joyful cry of heaven is no longer sung or spoken in the Mass and will not return until Easter dawns. This silence is deliberate. Joy is not extinguished, but set aside, awaiting resurrection. Fr. Z can tell you more than I: Sunday “in the seventieth” – Septuagesima | Fr. Z's Blog Past writings can be found from this search: Septuagesima | Search Results | Fr. Z's Blog Plan the best Lent you can, one of these Lent's (either this year or some time in the future) will be your last. You will not know which. The Roman Church Stations return, a beautiful and glorious tradtion. Septuagesima Sunday: a visit to Saint Lawrence Outside the...