Chapter 2 of the Introduction to the Season of Septuagesima: the Mystery of Septuagesima, from Volume IV of "The Liturgical Year" by Dom Prosper Guéranger.In Chapter II, The Mystery of Septuagesima, Dom Guéranger explains that the season symbolizes the present condition of fallen humanity as a time of exile, trial, and penitential preparation before the joy of Easter, drawing deeply on the biblical and mystical significance of the number seven. Septuagesima represents our captivity in “Babylon,” this world marked by sin and struggle, contrasted with the heavenly “Jerusalem” that awaits the faithful after their pilgrimage, just as Israel endured seventy years of exile before returning to Zion. The Church’s approximate count of seventy days reflects both this captivity and the traditional division of human history into seven ages, the present age being one of labor and combat before eternal rest. In her liturgy, the Church embodies this mystery by suppressing joyful chants such as the Alleluia and Gloria, adopting penitential tones, vestments, and prayers to remind the faithful that praise is restrained while we remain sinners and exiles. Yet this mourning is suffused with hope, for just as Septuagesima leads to Easter and its seven weeks of joy, so the trials of this life lead, through repentance and perseverance, to resurrection, Pentecost, and ultimately the everlasting joy of heaven.Dom Prosper Guéranger's The Liturgical Year, a monumental fifteen-volume work, offers a comprehensive exploration of the Catholic Church’s liturgical calendar, guiding readers through the spiritual and historical richness of the Church’s worship. Written in the 19th century, the series provides daily meditations, historical context, and liturgical texts for the Mass and Divine Office, covering the entire cycle of seasons—Advent, Christmas, Lent, Passiontide, Easter, and the Time after Pentecost—as well as feast days of saints. Guéranger’s work, rooted in a deep contemplative spirit, aims to immerse the faithful in the Church’s prayerful life, emphasizing the unity of faith through the axiom lex orandi, lex credendi ("the law of prayer is the law of belief"), and remains a cherished resource for Catholics seeking to deepen their spiritual lives. Dom Prosper Guéranger (1805–1875) was a French Benedictine monk, liturgical scholar, and founder of the Solesmes Abbey, renowned for his pivotal role in reviving the Benedictine Order in France and restoring the Roman liturgy after the disruptions of the French Revolution. Born in Sablé-sur-Sarthe, he entered the priesthood in 1827 and, inspired by a vision to restore monastic life, reestablished the Benedictine community at Solesmes in 1833, becoming its first abbot. A staunch defender of ultramontanism and traditional Catholic worship, he also championed the revival of Gregorian chant, significantly influencing the liturgical renewal movement.Link to the Dom Guéranger's Liturgical Year playlist (updated daily): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZKdyYnV_bkh7rH6piW0ShgsdcefFoOvJIf you would like to support this channel: Join on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEYRtJac7oQZQ4C0MSHT5WA/join Join on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/InprincipioPodcast One-time donations may also be made through YouTube “Thanks” (button below the video), or via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=U5EZ9X2CE2V7W Most sincere thanks to all who are able to contribute, by your prayers, your patronage, or otherwise; your support sustains this channel and enables its mission to continue.