A Liturgical Calendar guides us, like pilgrims, one day at a time, through the liturgical year – which is the life of Christ, lived out in liturgical time – in the time and in the memory of the Church. Each day has its own name, colour, readings, texts and observance according to its time and place in the calendar.
Liturgical Calendar
Universal and National Calendars
Click the red button for additional resources
Universal Calendar
Click here to view the resource for the General Roman Calendar
| 1 January | World Day of Peace | Resource | |
| 24 January |
Word of God Sunday | Resource |
|
| 13 March | ||
| 16 May |
World Communications Day | Resource |
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| 24 May | Memorial of the Blessed virgin Mary, Mother of the Church Resource | |
| 1 September | World Day of Prayer for Care of Creation | Resource | |
| 31 October | World Mission Day | Resource | |
| 1 November | Month dedicated to All Holy Souls | |
| 14 November | World Day of the Poor | Resource |
The National Calendar for 2021 is available HERE
Resources for Days of Prayer
In the National Calendar, put out annually by the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference, several dates are designated as a Day of Prayer for particular intentions.
2 February - Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life
Messages from Pope Francis for World Day for Consecrated Life
National Religious Vocation Conference (USA) description and resources, including video and prayer card
USCCB description and resources, including prayer of the faithful
11 February - World Day of Prayer for the Sick
Message from Pope Francis for World Day of the Sick 2020 from Vatican website here
National Association of Catholic Chaplains resources, including prayer cards, prayer of the faithful, a healing service in a hospital setting, world day of the sick programme
Catholic Health Association of the United States resources, including prayer card, video reflection
19 February - Day of Prayer and Penance for Victims of Abuse and Violence
Suggestions for Prayer of the Faithful
7 March - Day of Prayer for Children Aotearoa New Zealand
13th March - Anniversary of the Election of Pope Francis
Mass for the Pope - NZ Roman Missal pg. 1245
25 March - Day of Prayer for Family Life
Contact your Local Diocesan Offices for Family Life Ministries
25 April -1 May - National Vocations Awareness Week
Contact your local diocesan website.
16-23 May - Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2021
24 May - Mary, Mother of the Church
Inaugural memorial for Mary, Mother of the Church.
6 June - Day of Prayer for Refugees and Migrants
11 July - Day of Prayer for Seafarers
The Apostleship of the Sea New Zealand
15 August - The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Holy Day of Obligation. Patronal Feast of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Readings at the Vigil Mass:
New Zealand Roman Missal 2010 pg. 953 ff
L1:956, L2:1082
Readings at the Mass during the Day:
New Zealand Roman Missal 2010 pg. 955 ff
L1:958, L1:1084
1 September - World Day of Prayer for Care of Creation
This Day of Prayer initiates the Season of Creation 1 September – 4 October.
Season of Creation 2 Revised. Here
See also Pope Francis's Prayer in Union with Creation Here.
12-18 September - Social Justice Week
3 October - Day of Celebration for Suzanne Aubert
Visit suzanneaubert.co.nz for more information.
10 October - Day of Prayer to Respect Life
Respect Life Sunday is an opportunity to focus together on how our Catholic tradition celebrates and protects human life.
For resources linked to previous pro-life foci see
USSCB Respect Life Program Pro-life prayers
12-18 October - Week of Prayer for World Peace
Communities throughout New Zealand are encouraged to celebrate the Week both in their own observances and together with people of different faiths.
31 October - World Mission Sunday
October Extraordinary Missionary month. Read more
'What is World Mission Sunday?' video from Missio UK
14 November - World Day of the Poor
This first World Day of the Poor Pope Francis has said, "It is my wish that Christian communities will make every effort to create moments of encounter and friendship, solidarity and concrete assistance."
“The hope of the poor will not perish for ever” (Ps 9:19).
These words of the Psalm remain timely. They express a profound truth that faith impresses above all on the hearts of the poor, restoring lost hope in the face of injustice, sufferings and the uncertainties of life. Pope Francis' Message for 2020 World Day of the Poor Here
Aotearoa-New Zealand Ordo
The ORDO is an indispensable aid in the preparation of liturgies throughout the year.
ORDO for New Zealand & Australia 2021 available in mid-October.
For those seeking the 2021 ORDO we suggest you contact Pleroma and they will manage your orders.
Stock will be available at the retail price $22 each. Pleroma can offer quantity discounts.
For more information and orders click HERE
To view all other Annuals 2021 available from Pleroma
Resources for Prayer of Various Occasions
Find here the resources for prayer specific to current affairs, specific times and various other occasions.
Click the red button for additional resources
Prayer during the Royal Commission - December to January 2021
Offer these prayers for inclusion in the Prayer of the Faithful during Advent and the Sundays in the new year .
Let us Lament
Check out what the Auckland Diocesan Liturgy Centre published in the June 2018 edition of Liturgy.
Click here to view the resource.
Welcome Songs for Refugees and Migrants
If your church is a member of One License or CCLI, you are encouraged to report your usage there as you would customarily do. At the end of this collection you can find copyright information.
This resource can also be found in the National Days of Prayer page on this site.
Click here to view the resource.
Prayer for Elections
Currently the world faces change of power and direction through elections. This resource was created for the 2017 New Zealand Election and can be adapted for all other elections.
Click here to view the resource.
Prayer for Protection Against Fires
Click here to view a resource. Click here to find an additional resource.
Prayer in Light of Sexual Abuse Scandals: A Holy Hour
In light of events of sexual abuse, find here a resource of prayer: Holy Hour For the Purification of the Clergy and Ministers of the Church, and In Reparation for Sins Against Chastity and the for the Abuse of Clerical Power. See also Pope Francis's letter to the People of God.
Prayer for Hope
For the victims, survivors and rescue workers of the Queensland and Victorian floods, Christchurch earthquake, Japanese earthquake and tsunami, and for all those in civil wars in the Middle East. This resource serves all disasters and dire times where hope is needed.
Click here to view the resource.
Prayer Upon Returning Home After the Hurricanes
Credited to Michael Kwatera, O.S.B. Click here to view the resource.
A Prayer for Seafarers
July 8th serves as the Day of Prayer for Seafarers. This resource can be used anytime.
Click here to view the resource
Prayer for Those Seeking Work
Many people struggle to find work; those people have gifts and talents that could be used in their work. Click here for a Prayer for Those Seeking Work.
Prayer for Students
Students all around the world face great pressure. They require blessings to devote themselves to their study. Click here for a prayer for Students.
Prayer for a Recent Natural Disaster
Every so often natural disasters shake peoples lives around the world. Find here a resource of prayer in times of a natural disaster.
Prayer for Protection from a Volcano
Click here to view the resource.
A Prayer in Union with Creation
Click here to view Pope Francis' prayer for the Season of Creation