SEASONS of
LENT and EASTER 2011

SEASON OF LENT and EASTER TRIDUUM
The annual Lenten season is the fitting time to climb the holy mountain of Easter.
The Lenten season has a double character, namely to prepare both catechumens and faithful to celebrate the paschal mystery. The catechumens, both with the rite of election and scrutinies, are prepared for the celebration of the sacraments of Christian initiation; the faithful, ever more attentive to the word of God and prayer, prepare themselves by penance for the renewal of their baptismal promises.

The faithful are to be encouraged to participate in an ever more intense and faithful way in the Lenten liturgy and in penitential celebrations. They are to be clearly reminded that both according to the law and tradition they should approach the sacrament of penance during this season so that with purified heart they may participate in the paschal mysteries. (Paschale solemnitatis, 6, 15, Ceremonial of Bishops, 249, 251

SEASON OF THE EASTER TRIDUUM
The celebration of the Eucharist is in the fullest sense the Easter Sacrament, that is to say, the commemoration of the sacrifice of the Cross and the presence of the Risen Christ, the completion of Christian initiation, and the foretaste of the eternal pasch. Great care must be taken that it is not celebrated in haste; all the rites and words must be given their full force. It is fitting that in the Communion of the Easter Vigil full expression be given to the symbolism of the Eucharist, namely, by consuming the Eucharist under the species of both bread and wine.

March 9 Wed : ASH WEDNESDAY (Day of Fast and Abstinence)
First Reading: Joel 2: 12-18
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 50
Second Reading: 2 Cor 5: 20 - 6:2
Gospel: Mt 6: 1-6. 16-18
St Frances of Rome is not celebrated this year

March 10 Thurs: Thursday after Ash Wednesday
1st Reading Deut 30: 15-20
Response Psalm Ps 1
Gospel Lk 9: 22-25

March 11 Fri: Friday after Ash Wednesday
St Aengus, bishop and martyr, memorial may be made.
1st Reading Is 58:1-9
Response Psalm Ps 50
Gospel Mt 9:14-15

March 12 Sat: Saturday after Ash Wednesday
1st Reading Is 58: 9b-14
Response Psalm Ps 85
Gospel Lk 5: 27-32

March 13 SUN: FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
The Rite of Election of Catechumens is celebrated today
1st Reading Gn 2: 7-9; 3: 1-7
Response Psalm Ps 50: 3-4. 5-6. 12-13. 17
2nd Reading Acts Rom 5: 12-19 or 5: 12. 17-19
Gospel Mt 4: 1-11
The Church has in mind the catechumens throughout the world who set out today on their great preparation for the Easter Vigil when they will become Christians. The faithful, who are already baptised, are the concern of the Church too. They must be
awakened once more to the meaning of being in Christ. The faithful join with the catechumens in the struggle against the powers of darkness, confident that where sin abounded, grace abounds still more.

March 14 Mon: Week 1 of Lent
1st Reading Lv 19: 1-2. 11-18
Response Psalm Ps 18: 8-10.15
Gospel Mt 25: 31-46

March 15 Tues: Week 1 of Lent
1st Reading Is 55: 10-11
Response Psalm Ps 33: 4-7.16-19
Gospel Mt 6: 7-15

March 16 Wed: Week 1 of Lent
1st Reading Jon 3: 1-10
Response Psalm Ps 50
Gospel Lk 11: 29-32

Mar 17 Wed: ST PATRICK, bishop, Patron of Ireland
Special Day of Prayer for Emigrants
1st Reading Eccles (Sir) 39:6-10
Response Psalm Ps 115
2nd Reading 2Tim 4:1-8
Gospel Mt 13:24-32
St Patrick was born very probably in the early years of the fifth century in Britain. He was taken captive at the age of sixteen and brought to Ireland where he worked as a slave. His captivity had a very positive effect on his spiritual life. He escaped back home at the age of twenty-two. It was obvious to him that God was calling him to return to convert the Irish. He studied probably in France, returned to Ireland c. 457-61 and made a tremendous number of converts. He died in 491.

March 18 Fri: Week 1 of Lent
St Cyril of Jerusalem, bishop and doctor of the Church, memorial
1st Reading Ezek 18: 21-28
Response Psalm Ps 129: 1-4. 5-8
Gospel Mt 5: 20-26

Mar 19 Sat: Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, solemnity
First Reading: 2 Sm 7: 4-5. 12-14. 16
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 88
Second Reading: Rom 4: 13. 16-18. 22
Gospel: Mt 1: 16. 18-21. 24 or Lk 2: 41-51

March 20 Sun: SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
1st Reading Gn 12: 1-4
Response Psalm Ps 32
2nd Reading Acts 2 Tm 1: 8-10
Gospel Mt 17: 1-9

Mar 21 Mon: Week 2 of Lent
St Enda, abbot, a memorial can be made
1st Reading Dan 9: 4b-10
Response Psalm Ps 78
Gospel Lk 6: 36-38

Mar 22 Tuesday: Week 2 of Lent
1st Reading Is 1: 10. 16-20
Response Psalm Ps 49
Gospel Mt 23: 1-12

Mar 23 Wednesday: Week 2 of Lent
St Turibius of Mongrovejo, bishop, memorial
1st Reading Jer 18: 18-20
Response Psalm Ps 30
Gospel Mt 20: 17-28

Mar 24 Thursday: Week 2 of Lent
St Macartan, bishop, memorial
1st Reading Jer 17: 5-10
Response Psalm Ps 1
Gospel Lk 16: 19-31

Mar 25 Thurs: ANNUNCIATION OF THE LORD Solemnity
First Reading: Is 7: 10-14; 8: 10
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 39
Second Reading: Heb 10: 4-10
Gospel: Lk 1: 26-38

Mar 26 Saturday: Week 2 of Lent
1st Reading Mic 7: 14-15. 18-20
Response Psalm Ps 102
Gospel Lk 15: 1-3. 11-32

Mar 27 SUN: THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT.
The First Scrutiny is celebrated today
1st Reading Ex 17: 3-7
Response Psalm Ps 94: 1-2. 6-7. 8-9
2nd Reading Rom 5: 1-2. 5-8
Gospel Jn 4: 5-42
The catechumens and the baptised Christians are together on this Lenten pilgrimage. Christ offers the water of life to all who thirst. Today occurs the first scrutiny or exorcism for the catechumens. By it they are being prepared to accept the Spirit. Through that Spirit the gift of love is poured into our hearts, a gift bought for us by the blood of Christ. The prayer that they grow in wisdom and love echoes the readings, and must still be the prayer of all Christians.
Optional readings for any one day this week: Ex 17: 1-7/ Ps 94: 1-2. 6-7ab. 7c-9/ Jn 4: 5-42

March 28 Mon: Week 3 of Lent
1st Reading 2 Kgs 5: 1-15b
Response Psalm Ps 41
Gospel Lk 4: 24-30.

March 29 Tues: Week 3 of Lent
1st Reading Dan 3: 25. 34-43
Response Psalm Ps 24
Gospel Mt 18: 21-35

March 30 Wed: Week 3 of Lent
1st Reading Deut 4:1. 5-9
Response Psalm Ps 147
Gospel Mt 5: 17-19

March 31 Thurs: Week 3 of Lent
St Ceallach (Celsus), bishop, memorial may be made
1st Reading Jer 7: 23-28
Response Psalm Ps 94
Gospel Lk 11: 14-23
The Pope’s intentions for April
General: That the Church may offer new generations, through the believable proclamation of the Gospel, ever-new reasons of life and hope.
Mission: That missionaries, with the proclamation of the Gospel and their witness of life, may bring Christ to all those who do not yet know Him.

APRIL 1 Fri: Week 3 of Lent.
St Ceallach (Celsus),bishop, memorial may be made
1st Reading Hos 14: 2-10
Response Psalm Ps 80
Gospel Mk 12: 28-34

April 2 Sat: Week 3 of Lent.
St Francis of Paola, hermit memorial may be made
1st Reading Hos 5: 15-6: 6
Response Psalm Ps 50: 3-4. 18-19. 20-21ab
Gospel Lk 18: 9-14

April 3 SUN: FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT. (Laetare Sunday)
The Second Scrutiny of the Elect is celebrated today
First Reading: 1 Sm 16: 1b. 6-7. 10-13a
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 23: 1-3a. 3b-4. 5. 6
Second Reading: Eph 5: 8-14
Gospel: Jn 9: 1-41
The readings Mic 7:7-9, Ps 26, Jn 9:9_1-14 may also be used any day this week

April 4 Mon: Week 4 of Lent
St Isidore of Seville, bishop and doctor of the Church, memorial may be made
1st Reading Is 65: 17-21
Response Psalm Ps 29
Gospel Jn 4:43-54

April 5 Tues: Week 4 of Lent
St Vincent Ferrer, priest memorial may be made
1st Reading Ez 47: 1-9. 12
Response Psalm Ps 45
Gospel Jn 5: 1-16.

April 6 Wed: Week 4 of Lent
1st Reading: Is 49:8-15.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 144.
Gospel: Jn 5

April 7Thurs: Week 4 of Lent
St John Baptist de la Salle, priest memorial
1st Reading Ex 32: 7-14
Response Psalm Ps 105
Gospel Jn 5: 31-47

April 8 Fri: Week 4 of Lent
First Reading: Wis 2: 1. 12-22
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 33
Second Reading: Rom 4: 13. 16-18. 22
Gospel: Jn 7: 1-2. 10. 25-30

April 9 Sat: Week 4 of Lent
1st Reading Jer 11: 18-20
Response Psalm Ps 7
Gospel Jn 7: 40-52

April 10 SUN: FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT.
The Third Scrutiny of the Elect is celebrated today
First Reading: Ez 37: 12-14
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 130: 1-2. 3-4. 5-6. 7-8
Second Reading: Rom 8: 8-11
Gospel: Jn 11: 1-45

April 11 Mon: Week 5 of Lent
St Stanislaus, bishop and martyr memorial
1st Reading Dan 13: 1-9. 15-17. 19-30. 33-62 or 13: 41c-62
Response Psalm Ps 22: 1-3a. 3b-4. 5. 6
Gospel Jn 8: 12-20

April 12 Tues: Week 5 of Lent
1st Reading Nm 21: 4-9
Response Psalm Ps 101
Gospel Jn 8: 21-30

April 13 Wed: Week 5 of Lent
St Martin 1, pope and martyr memorial
1st Reading Dn 3: 14-20. 24-25, 28
Response Psalm Ps: Dn 3: 52-56
Gospel Jn 8: 31-42 April

14 Thurs: Week 5 of Lent
1st Reading Gn 17: 3-9
Response Psalm Ps 104: 4-5. 6-7. 8-9
Gospel Jn 8: 51-59

April 15 Fri: Week 5 of Lent
1st Reading: Jer 20: 10-13
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 17
Gospel: Jn 10: 31-42

April16 Sat: Week 5 of Lent
St Bernadette Soubirous memorial
1st Reading: Ez 37: 21-28
Responsorial Psalm: Ps: Jer 31: 10. 11-13
Gospel: Jn 11: 45-56

April 17 SUN: PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD'S PASSION
Procession Reading: Mt 21: 1-11
Mass First Reading: Is 50: 4-7
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 21
Second Reading: Phil 2: 6-11
Gospel: Lk 22: 14 – 23: 56

Holy Week begins on this Sunday, which joins the foretelling of Christ's regal triumph and the proclamation of the Passion. The connection between both aspects of the paschal mystery should be shown and explained in the celebration and catechesis of this day. The commemoration of the entrance of the lord into Jerusalem is celebrated with a solemn procession which may take place only once, before the Mass which has the largest attendance, even if this should be the evening of Saturday or Sunday. In this procession the faithful carry palm or other branches. The priest and the ministers, also carrying branches, precede the people. The palms or branches are blessed so that they can be carried in the procession. The palms should be taken home, where they will serve as a reminder of the victory of Christ which they celebrated in the procession. Pastors should make every effort to ensure that this procession in honour of Christ the King be so prepared and celebrated that it is of great spiritual significance in the life of the faithful.

April 18 Mon of Holy Week
1st Reading: Is 42: 1-7
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 26
Gospel: Jn 12: 1-11.
St Laserian, bishop, is not celebrated this year

April 19 Tues of Holy Week
1st Reading: Is 49: 1-6
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 70
Gospel: Jn 13: 21-33. 36-38

April 20 Wed of Holy Week
1st Reading: Is 50: 4-9
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 68
Gospel: Mt 26: 14-25

EASTER TRIDUUM
The Fathers of the Church saw this celebration as a unitive commemoration: St Augustine spoke of 'the most holy triduum of the crucified, buried and risen Lord'. Over Friday, Saturday and Sunday we celebrate a single, indivisible mystery. The Easter Triduum begins with the evening Mass of the Lord's Supper, readies its high point in the Easter Vigil, and doses with evening prayer on Easter Sunday (GNLY, 18-19).

April 21 HOLY THURS: Diocean Morning Chrism Mass
First Reading: Is 61: 1-3, 6, 8b-9
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 88
Second Reading: Apoc 1:5-8
Gospel: Lk 4: 16-21

April 21 HOLY THURS: Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper:
First Reading: Ex 12: 1-8. 11-14
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 115
Second Reading: 1Cor 11:23-26
Gospel: Jn 13: 1-15

April 22 GOOD FRIDAY (Day of fast and abstinence)
Celebration of the Lord's Passion:
First Reading: Is 52: 13-53: 12
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 30
Second Reading: Heb 4: 14-16; 5: 7-9
Gospel: Jn 18: 1-19: 42

April 23 HOLY SATURDAY:
(According to an ancient sacred tradition, yesterday’s day of fast and abstinence can be extended until the Vigil Mass)
EASTER VIGIL The Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
‘Let the Paschal fast be kept sacred. Let it be observed everywhere on Good
Friday and where possible, prolonged throughout Holy Saturday, as a way of coming to the joys of the Sunday of the resurrection with uplifted and welcoming heart' (Sacrosanctum concilium, 110)
In accord with ancient tradition this night is one of vigil for the lord. St Augustine called it the 'mother of oil vigils'. The Gospel of St Luke (12:35ff.1 reminds the faithful to have their lamps burning ready, awaiting their master's return, so that when he arrives he will find them wide awake and will seat them at his table.
Vigil Readings: Gn 1: 1-2: 2 or 1: 1. 26-31 with Ps 103 or Ps 32
Gn 22: 1-18 or 22: 1-2. 9a. 10-13. 15-18 with Ps 15
Ex 14: 15 -- 15: 1 with Ps: Ex 15: 1-2. 3-4. 5-6. 17-18
Is 54: 5-14 with Ps 29:
Is 55: 1-11 with Ps: Is 12: 2-3. 4. 5-6
Bar 3: 9-15. 32-4: 4/ Ps 18
Ez 36: 16-17a. 18-28 with Ps 41or Ps 50
Vigil Mass
1st Reading: Rom 6: 3-11/
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 117
Gospel: Lk 24: 1-12

April 24 EASTER SUNDAY
First Reading: Acts 10: 34. 37-43
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 117
Second Reading: Col 3: 1-4 or 1 Cor 5: 6-8
Gospel: Jn 20: 1-9,

The celebration of the Eucharist is in the fullest sense the Easter Sacrament, that is to say, the commemoration of the sacrifice of the Cross and the presence of the Risen Christ, the completion of Christian initiation, and the foretaste of the eternal pasch. Great care must be taken that it is not celebrated in haste; all the rites and words must be given their full force. It is fitting that in the Communion of the Easter Vigil full expression be given to the symbolism of the Eucharist, namely, by consuming the Eucharist under the species of both bread and wine.
Optional choice Day Mass Gospel: Mt 28:1-10
Optional choice Evening Mass Gospel, Lk 24: 13-35