Definition

Noun: - Septuagesima: In the Western Christian liturgical calendar, this is the name for the third Sunday before the beginning of Lent. It is the ninth Sunday before Easter Sunday. The term marks the start of a preparatory period for Lent.

Usage

• As a Proper Noun (Capitalized): The word is typically capitalized as it is the formal name for a specific Sunday in the church calendar.
  • Example: "The liturgical readings for Septuagesima focus on themes of human labor and divine grace."
  • Example: "Septuagesima Sunday falls roughly seventy days before Easter, which is the origin of its name."

Advanced Usage

• Liturgical Context: The term is used almost exclusively in formal religious, historical, or liturgical discussions. It is part of a traditional trio of Sundays (Septuagesima, Sexagesima, Quinquagesima) that precede Ash Wednesday.
  • Example: "The season of Septuagesima serves as a bridge between the celebration of Epiphany and the penitential season of Lent."

Variants and Related Words

• Septuagesima Sunday: The full name for the day.
• Pre-Lent: A term for the period beginning with Septuagesima Sunday.
• Sexagesima: The following Sunday (the second before Lent).
• Quinquagesima: The Sunday immediately before Lent (Shrove Sunday).

Synonyms

• Third Sunday before Lent: A descriptive synonym.
• Ninth Sunday before Easter: An alternative calculation-based description.

Notes on Meaning

• Etymology: The name comes from the Latin , meaning "seventieth," though it is approximately seventy days before Easter (a rounded figure).
• Modern Usage: Its observance has been deemphasized in many modern Christian denominations following liturgical reforms in the mid-20th century, but it remains a recognized term in historical and traditional contexts.

Noun

1. the 3rd Sunday before Lent (or the 9th before Easter)