Quadragesima Sunday
Quadragesima Sunday, also known as Invocabit Sunday, is the traditional name for the First Sunday of Lent in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church. Observed approximately forty days before Easter, after Ash 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.
Nomenclature
The term Quadragesima is derived from the Latin word for "fortieth", as there are exactly forty days from Quadragesima Sunday until Good Friday. However, like Quinquagesima, Sexagesima and Septuagesima, the numeral is more likely an approximation of how many days there are until Easter 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
In both the ordinary form of the Roman rite and common English parlance it is known as the First Sunday of Lent.
In the Eastern Churches, the first Sunday of Lent is referred to as the Sunday of Orthodoxy.
History
Start of Lent since Antiquity
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 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.Sunday of Orthodoxy
The name of Feast of Orthodoxy commemorates, after 120 years of iconoclasm, the definitive restoration of the holy icons on Sunday, March 11, 843.Sunday of Quadregesima
The term "Quadragesima" appears in medieval liturgical texts, such as the Missale Romanum, reflecting its prominence in the Roman Rite before the 20th-century reforms. Prior to the Second Vatican Council, 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" 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.Post-Vatican II Usage
Following the liturgical reforms of Vatican II and the introduction of the Novus 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.In the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, 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.
Liturgy
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 the Graduale Romanum or Liber Usualis, centered on Psalm 90, emphasizing God’s protection. The Alleluia is omitted, replaced by the tract "Qui habitat," a Gregorian chant drawn from Psalm 90, 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:- Introit: Invocabit me – A hopeful call to God, with gentle melismas, sung at the Mass’s start.
- Gradual: Angelus Domini – Ornate and melismatic, it reflects angelic guardianship after the Epistle.
- Tract: Qui habitat – A lengthy, somber meditation replacing the Alleluia, preparing for the Gospel.
- Offertory: Scapulis suis – Richly melismatic, evoking divine shelter during the offering.
- Communion: Scapulis suis – Simpler, reinforcing trust in God during Communion.
Traditions
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 remains a key liturgical event. Many Catholics attend Mass, receive ashes if they missed Ash Wednesday, and commit to Lenten practices such as prayer, charity, or giving up personal indulgences.