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SEASONS of
LENT and EASTER 2010
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)
Feb 17 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
Feb 18 Thurs: Thursday after Ash Wednesday
1st Reading Deut 30:15-20
Response Psalm Ps 1
Gospel Lk 9:22-25
Feb 19 Fri: Friday after Ash Wednesday
1st Reading Is 58:1-9
Response Psalm Ps 50
Gospel Mt 9:14-15
Feb 20 Sat: Saturday after Ash Wednesday
1st Reading Jas 5: 13-20
Response Psalm Ps 140: 1-2. 3 and 8
Gospel Lk 5:27-32
Feb 21 SUN: FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
First Reading: Dt 26: 4-10
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 90
Second Reading: Rom 10: 8-13
Gospel: Lk 4: 1-13
The rite of Election of Catechumens is celebrated today
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.
St Peter Damien, bishop and doctor of the Church is not celebrated this year.
Feb 22 Mon: Week 1 of Lent
The Chair of St Peter, Apostle, feast
1st Reading 1 Pt 5:1-4
Response Psalm Ps 90
Gospel Mt 16:13-19
Feb 23 Tues: Week 1 of Lent
St Polycarp, bishop and martyr, memorial
1st Reading Is 55: 10-11
Response Psalm Ps 33: 4-7.16-19
Gospel Mt 6: 7-15
Feb 24 Wed: Week 1 of Lent
1st Reading Jon 3: 1-10
Response Psalm Ps 50
Gospel Lk 11: 29-32
Feb 25 Thurs: Week 1 of Lent
1st Reading Esth 4: 17
Response Psalm Ps 137
Gospel Mt 7:7-12
Feb 26 Fri: Week 1 of Lent
1st Reading Ezek 18: 21-28
Response Psalm Ps 129: 1-4. 5-8
Gospel Mt 5: 20-26
Feb 27 Sat: Week 1 of Lent
1st Reading Dt 26: 16-19
Response Psalm Ps 118
Gospel Mt 5: 43-48
Feb 28: SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
1st Reading: Gn 15: 5-12. 17-18
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 26
Second Reading: Phil 3: 17-4: 1
Gospel: Lk 9: 28-36
The Popes intentions for March
General: That the world economy may be managed according to the principles of justice and equity, taking account of the real needs of peoples, especially the poorest.
Mission: That the churches in Africa may be signs and instruments of reconciliation and justice in every part of that continent.
Mar 1 Mon: Week 2 of Lent
St David, bishop, memorial
1st Reading Dan 9: 4b-10
Response Psalm Ps 78
Gospel Lk 6: 36-38
Mar 2 Tuesday: Week 2 of Lent
1st Reading Is 1: 10. 16-20
Response Psalm Ps 49
Gospel Mt 23: 1-12
Mar 3 Wednesday: Week 2 of Lent
1st Reading Jer 18: 18-20
Response Psalm Ps 30
Gospel Mt 20: 17-28
Mar 4 Thursday: Week 2 of Lent
St Casimir, memorial
1st Reading Jer 17: 5-10
Response Psalm Ps 1
Gospel Lk 16: 19-31
Mar 5 Friday: Week 2 of Lent
St Kieran, bishop, memorial
1st Reading Gen 37: 3-4, 12-13, 17-28
Response Psalm Ps 104
Gospel Mt 21:33-43
Mar 6 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 7 SUN: THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT.
First Reading: Ex 3: 1-8a. 13-15
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 102
Second Reading: 1 Cor 10: 1-6. 10-12
Gospel: Lk 13: 1-9
First Scrutiny of the Elect.
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 al Christians.
Ss Perpetua and Felicity, martyrs are not celebrated today
March 8 Mon: Week 3 of Lent
St John of God, religious, memorial
1st Reading 2 Kgs 5: 1-15b
Response Psalm Ps 41
Gospel Lk 4: 24-30.
March 9 Tues: Week 3 of Lent
St Frances of Rome, religious, memorial
1st Reading Dan 3: 25. 34-43
Response Psalm Ps 24
Gospel Mt 18: 21-35
March 10 Wed: Week 3 of Lent
1st Reading Deut 4:1. 5-9
Response Psalm Ps 147
Gospel Mt 5: 17-19
March 11 Thurs: Week 3 of Lent
St Aengus, bishop and abbot, memorial
1st Reading Jer 7: 23-28
Response Psalm Ps 94
Gospel Lk 11: 14-23
March 12 Fri: Week 3 of Lent.
1st Reading Hos 14: 2-10
Response Psalm Ps 80
Gospel Mk 12: 28-34
Mar 13 Sat: Week 3 of Lent.
1st Reading Hos 5: 15-6: 6
Response Psalm Ps 50: 3-4. 18-19. 20-21ab
Gospel Lk 18: 9-14
Mar 14 SUN: FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT. (Laetare Sunday)
First Reading: Josh 5: 9a. 10-12
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 33
Second Reading: 2 Cor 5: 17-21
Gospel: Lk 15: 1-3. 11-32
Second Scrutiny of the Elect.
The experience of the man born helps our understanding of baptism. 'You went, you washed, you came to the altar, you began to see what you had not seen before. In short, your eyes were opened in the fountain of the lord and by the preaching of the lord's Passion. You seemed previously to be blind of heart: now you began to see the light.' So spoke St Ambrose to the recently baptised, recalling that experience to them.
The readings for this Sunday Year A may also be used.
Mar 15 Mon: Week 4 of Lent
1st Reading Is 65: 17-21
Response Psalm Ps 29
Gospel Jn 4:43-54
Mar 16 Tues: Week 4 of Lent
1st Reading Ez 47: 1-9. 12
Response Psalm Ps 45
Gospel Jn 5: 1-16.
Mar 17 Wed: ST PATRICK, bishop, Patron of Ireland
1st Reading: Am 7:12-15.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 138.
2nd Reading: 1 Thess 2:2-8
Gospel: Lk 5: 1-11
St Patrick was born very probably in the early years of the fifth century in Britain. He was taken captive at tlie 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.
(or these readings may be used in Ireland)
1st Reading: Eccles (Sir) 39:6-10
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 115
2nd Reading: 2 Tim 4: 1-8
Gospel: Mt 13:24-32. )
Mar 18 Thurs: Week 4 of Lent
St Cyril of Jerusalem, bishop and doctor of the Church, memorial
1st Reading Ex 32: 7-14
Response Psalm Ps 105
Gospel Jn 5: 31-47
Mar 19 Fri: 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
Mar 20 Sat: Week 4 of Lent
1st Reading Jer 11: 18-20
Response Psalm Ps 7
Gospel Jn 7: 40-52
Mar 21 SUN: FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT.
First Reading: Is 43: 16-21
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 125
Second Reading: Phil 3: 8-14
Gospel: Jn 8: 1-11
Third Scrutiny of the Elect.
Lazarus' resurrection is a figure and type of Jesus' resurrection, and of our resurrection first to divine life in Baptism and to our definitive resurrection at the end of time: The gospel is a call to a deeper faith in the Spirit living in us, giving life to our mortal bodies. The catechumens are presented with the Creed In the third week of lent and the lord's Prayer in the coming week after the third scrutiny. Growth in faith means a deeper love for these two expressions of our way of life.
St Enda, abbot is not celebrated this year
Mar 22 Mon: Week 5 of Lent
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
Mar 23 Tues: Week 5 of Lent
St Turibius of Mongrovejo, bishop, memorial
1st Reading Nm 21: 4-9
Response Psalm Ps 101
Gospel Jn 8: 21-30
Mar 24 Wed: Week 5 of Lent
St Macartan, bishop, memorial
1st Reading Dn 3: 14-20. 24-25, 28
Response Psalm Ps: Dn 3: 52-56
Gospel Jn 8: 31-42
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 Fri: Week 5 of Lent
1st Reading: Jer 20: 10-13
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 17
Gospel: Jn 10: 31-42
Mar 27 Sat: Week 5 of Lent
1st Reading: Ez 37: 21-28
Responsorial Psalm: Ps: Jer 31: 10. 11-13
Gospel: Jn 11: 45-56
Mar 28 SUN: PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD'S PASSION
Procession Reading: Lk 19: 28-40.
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.
March 29 Mon of Holy Week
1st Reading: Is 42: 1-7
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 26
Gospel: Jn 12: 1-11.
March 30 Tues of Holy Week
1st Reading: Is 49: 1-6
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 70
Gospel: Jn 13: 21-33. 36-38
March 31 Wed of Holy Week
1st Reading: Is 50: 4-9
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 68
Gospel: Mt 26: 14-25
The Popes intentions for April
General: That every tendency to fundamentalism and extremism may be countered by constant respect, by tolerance and by dialogue among all believers.
Mission: That Christians persecuted for the sake of the Gospel may persevere, sustained by the Holy Spirit, in faithfully witnessing to the love of God for the entire human race.
Apr 1 Thurs Chrism Mass
First Reading: Is 61: 1-3. 6a. 8-9
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 88
Second Reading: Rev 1: 5-8
Gospel: Lk 4: 16-21
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).
Apr 1 HOLY THURSDAY 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
Apr 2 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
Apr 3 HOLY SATURDAY NIGHT: Easter Vigil
‘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)
The Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
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 ttiem 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 4 Sun: 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,
Optional choices: Day Mass: Lk 24:1-12, Evening Mass, Lk 24: 13-35
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.
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