Septuagesima, The Season of Preparation

Friends, this is no ordinary time. Let us prepare ourselves for the holy season of Lent, which will quickly encompass us, as we know time passes swiftly.

"Introduced by three Sundays (Septugesim, Sexagesima, and Quinquagesima), the season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends with the death of Jesus in Passion Week. The struggle between our Lord and Satan ends with the victory of the Savior at Eastertide. During the period from Septuagesima to Ash Wednesday, the liturgy speaks no more of our greatness but contemplates the misery of fallen humanity, the fatal consequences of original sin and actual sin, and the sacrifice that God asked from the faithful Melchisedech, symbol of the sacrifice that Jesus brings for the whole humanity." 

 -Roman Catholic Daily Missal, 1962