The Proclamation of the date of Easter on Epiphany (the "Noveritis")

The Proclamation of the Date of Easter on Epiphany (the "Noveritis") dates from a time when calenders were not too readily available. It was necessary to make known the date of Easter in advance, since many celebrations of the liturgical year depend on its date. The number of weeks that follow Epiphany, the date of Ash Wednesday and the number of Sundays that follow Pentecost are all computed in relation to Easter.

If you would like some more detail of the history of the Proclamation head over to New Liturgical Movement.

Although calendars now give the date of Easter and the other feasts in the liturgical year for many years in advance, the Epiphany Proclamation still has value. it is a reminder of the centrality of the resurrection of the Lord in the liturgical year and the importance of the great mysteries of faith which are celebrated each year. This beautiful proclamation puts everything into perspective. Every liturgical celebration of the Church finds its authentic meaning in the Paschal Mystery, even Christmas. The Paschal Mystery was precisely why the Eternal Son of the Father, the Eternal Word, deigned to leap down from heaven and become incarnate in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He was born in time so that He could give His flesh for the life of the world.

Below is the Proclamation with the dates for 2013 as per the Irish Liturgical Calendar.

Dear brothers and sisters,
the glory of the Lord has shone upon us,
and shall ever be manifest among us,
until the day of his return.

Through the rhythms of times and seasons

let us celebrate the mysteries of salvation.

Let us recall the year's culmination,

the Easter Triduum of the Lord:

his last supper, his crucifixion, his burial,

and his rising celebrated

between the evening of the Twenty-Eighth day of March

and the evening of the Thirtieth day of March,

Easter Sunday being on the Thirty-First day of March.

 

Each Easter -- as on each Sunday --

the Holy Church makes present the great and saving deed

by which Christ has for ever conquered sin and death.

From Easter are reckoned all the days we keep holy.

 

Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent,

will occur on the Thirteenth day of February.

The Ascension of the Lord will be commemorated on the Twelfth day of May.

Pentecost, joyful conclusion of the season of Easter,

will be celebrated on the Nineteenth day of May.

And, this year the First Sunday of Advent will be

on the First day of December.

 

Likewise the pilgrim Church proclaims the passover of Christ

in the feasts of the holy Mother of God,

in the feasts of the Apostles and Saints,

and in the commemoration of the faithful departed.

To Jesus Christ, who was, who is, and who is to come,

Lord of time and history,

be endless praise, for ever and ever.

Amen.