Give Us This Day - April 2012 Sample

APRIL 2012

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DAILY PRAYER FOR TODAY’S CATHOLIC

APRIL 2012

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APRIL 2012

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Give Us This Day™

Canticle of Zechariah (Benedictus) Luke 1:68-79

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;he has come to his people and set them free.

He has raised up for us a mighty savior,born of the house of his servant David.

Through his holy prophets he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us.

He promised to show mercy to our fathersand to remember his holy covenant.

This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:to set us free from the hands of our enemies,free to worship him without fear,holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.

You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High;for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,to give his people knowledge of salvationby the forgiveness of their sins.

In the tender compassion of our Godthe dawn from on high shall break upon us,to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 Sixth Week of Lent r

Palm Sunday

rita Ferrone

2 v

✛ Bd. John Paul II Fr. Michael Casey

3 v

✛ St. Mary of Egypt Kathy McGovern

4 v

✛ Martin Luther King Jr. Abp. Timothy Dolan

5 w

Holy Thursday

Abp. George Niederauer

6 r

Good Friday

Fr. Karl rahner

7 w

Easter Vigil

Sr. Katherine Howard

8 First Week of Easter w

Easter Sunday

St. Maximus of Turin

9 w

✛ Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Fr. Lawrence Mick

10 w

✛ Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Fr. Don Talafous

11 w

✛ St. Julie Billiart

Dom Helder Camara

12 w

✛ St. Teresa of Los Andes

Deirdre Cornell

13 w

✛ St. Martin I

walter Brueggemann

14 w

✛ Bd. Lydwina of Schiedam

Brian Doyle

15 Second Week of Easter w

St. Augustine

16 w

✛ St. Bernadette Soubirous

Kathleen Norris

17 w

✛ Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz

Fr. Austin Fleming

18 w

✛ ven. Cornelia Connelly

Bd. Mother Teresa

19 w

✛ Corrie Ten Boom

Kathy Coffey

20 w

✛ Anna Dengel

Jessica Powers

21 w

✛ St. Anselm

rachelle Linner

22 Third Week of Easter w

Fr. Herbert McCabe

23 w

✛ Cesar Chavez

Catherine de Hueck Doherty

24 w

✛ Bd. Maria Gabrielle Sagheddu

Elyse raby

25 r

St. Mark

✛ St. Mark

Mary Stommes

26 w

✛ Nano Nagle

Nancy Dallavalle

27 w

✛ St. Zita

Pope Benedict XvI

28 w

✛ Jacques Maritain

Mary Deeley

29 Fourth Week of Easter w

Fr. John Sandell

30 w

✛ St. Catherine of Siena Susan Pitchford

Key✛ Blessed Among Us by robert Ellsberg Reflection Writervestment colors: r red v violet w white

April 2012

Within the Word: Acts during Easter

Within the Word: St. Mark

Within the Word: The Stone rejected

Within the Word: Mary Magdalene

Within the Word: Isaiah in Holy week Triduum

How to Use Give Us This Day, p. 441

Give UsThısDay™DAILY PrAYEr FOr TODAY’S CATHOLIC

Editorial Advisors James Martin, SJ ◆ Irene Nowell, OSB Bishop robert F. Morneau ◆ Timothy radcliffe, OP Kathleen Norris ◆ ronald rolheiser, OMI

Peter Dwyer, PublisherMary Stommes, Editor

Aelred Senna, OSB, Associate Publisher◆

robert Ellsberg, “Blessed Among Us” AuthorIrene Nowell, OSB, Scripture Editor, Morning and Evening

Susan Barber, OSB, Intercessions

www.giveusthisday.orgCustomer Service: 800-858-5450, [email protected]

Give Us This Day, Liturgical PressPO Box 7500, Collegeville, MN 56321-7500

© 2012 by the Order of Saint Benedict, Collegeville, Minnesota. Printed in the United States of America.

Give Us This Day™ (ISSN 2159-2136, print; 2159-2128, online) is published monthly by Liturgical Press, an apostolate of Saint John’s Abbey, Collegeville, Minnesota. rev. John Klassen, OSB, Abbot. For complete publication informa-tion see page 445.

Published with the approval of the Committee on Divine worship, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

CONTENTS April 2012 ◆ volume 2, Issue 4

The Resurrection: A Voice That Never Dies Fr. ronald rolheiser . . . . . . . . . 5Teach Us to Pray: The Mass as Prayer Fr. James Martin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Anima Christi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Prayers and Blessings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Daily Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Order of Mass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 402Liturgy of the word (with Holy Communion) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 430Hymns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 434Guide to Lectio Divina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440How to Use Give Us This Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 441

15

Entry into Jerusalem by Martin Erspamer, OSB.

Palm Sunday, April 1

MorningO Lord, open my lips.And my mouth will proclaim your praise.

(opt. hymn, pp. 434–39)Psalm 148:1-6Praise the Lord from the heavens;praise him in the heights.Praise him, all his angels;praise him, all his hosts.

Praise him, sun and moon;praise him, all shining stars.Praise him, highest heavens,and the waters above the heavens.

Let them praise the name of the Lord.He commanded: they were created.He established them forever and ever,gave a law which shall not pass away.

Glory to the Father . . .

Scripture Isaiah 63:1-3a, 4

Who is this that comes from Edom, / in crimsoned garments, from Bozrah? / Who is this, glorious in

his apparel, / striding in the greatness of his strength? / “It is I, I who announce vindication, / mighty to save.” / Why is your apparel red, / and your garments like one who treads the wine press? / “The wine press I have trodden alone, /

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and from the peoples no one was with me. / For a day of vindication was in my heart, / my year for redeeming had come.”

Read, Ponder, Pray on a word or phrase from today’s Scripture (Lectio Divina, p. 440)

AntiphonOut of love and pity the Lord redeemed his people.

Canticle of Zechariah (inside front cover)

IntercessionsChrist Jesus, you humbled yourself, obedient even unto death. To you we pray: r. Blessed are you, Lord.

Help us to cherish your world of goodness and beauty and make us worthy to serve you. r.

Keep your Church united in faith and restore the oneness of your people. r.

Free those who are oppressed and shelter them from harm. r.

Our Father . . .

May Christ ignite our hearts with the love of his passion and lead us to share in the glory of his kingdom. Amen.

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

Commemoration of the Lord’s Entrance into Jerusalem

First Form: The ProcessionThe congregation assembles in a secondary church or chapel or in some other suitable place distinct from the church to which the procession will move. The faithful carry palm branches.

Antiphon Matthew 21:9Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel. Hosanna in the highest.

Dear brethren (brothers and sisters),since the beginning of Lent until nowwe have prepared our hearts by penance and charitable

works.Today we gather together to herald with the whole Churchthe beginning of the celebration of our Lord’s Paschal Mystery,that is to say, of his Passion and Resurrection.For it was to accomplish this mysterythat he entered his own city of Jerusalem.Therefore, with all faith and devotion,let us commemoratethe Lord’s entry into the city for our salvation,following in his footsteps,so that, being made by his grace partakers of the Cross,we may have a share also in his Resurrection and in his life.

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Almighty ever-living God,sanctify W these branches with your blessing,that we, who follow Christ the King in exultation,may reach the eternal Jerusalem through him.Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

The Priest sprinkles the branches with holy water in silence.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 11:1-10 (or John 12:12-16)

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

When Jesus and his disciples drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives,

he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately on entering it, you will find a colt tethered on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone should say to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ reply, ‘The Master has need of it and will send it back here at once.’ ” So they went off and found a colt tethered at a gate outside on the street, and they untied it. Some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They answered them just as Jesus had told them to, and they permitted them to do it. So they brought the colt to Jesus and put their cloaks over it. And he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. Those preceding him as well as those following kept crying out: / “Hosanna! / Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! / Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come! / Hosanna in the highest!”The Gospel of the Lord.

After the Gospel, a brief homily may be given. Before the proces-sion begins, the celebrant may address the people in these or similar words:

Dear brethren (brothers and sisters),like the crowds who acclaimed Jesus in Jerusalem,let us go forth in peace.

As the procession moves forward, the following or other suitable chants are sung.

Hymn to Christ the KingChorus: Glory and honor and praise be to you, Christ, King and

Redeemer, to whom young children cried out loving Hosannas

with joy. All repeat: Glory and honor . . .Chorus: Israel’s King are you, King David’s magnificent

offspring; you are the ruler who come blest in the name of the

Lord. All repeat: Glory and honor . . .Chorus: Heavenly hosts on high unite in singing your praises; men and women on earth and all creation join in. All repeat: Glory and honor . . .Chorus: Bearing branches of palm, Hebrews came crowding to

greet you; see how with prayers and hymns we come to pay you

our vows. All repeat: Glory and honor . . .

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Chorus: They offered gifts of praise to you, so near to your

Passion; see how we sing this song now to you reigning on high. All repeat: Glory and honor . . .Chorus: Those you were pleased to accept; now accept our gifts

of devotion, good and merciful King, lover of all that is good. All repeat: Glory and honor . . .

Second Form: The Solemn Entrance

When a procession outside the church cannot take place, the entrance of the Lord is celebrated inside the church by means of a Solemn Entrance before the principal Mass.

Holding branches in their hands, the faithful gather either out-side, in front of the church door, or inside the church itself. The Priest and ministers and a representative group of the faithful go to a suitable place in the church outside the sanctuary, where at least the greater part of the faithful can see the rite.

While the Priest approaches the appointed place, the antiphon Hosanna or another appropriate chant is sung. Then the blessing of branches and the proclamation of the Gospel of the Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem take place as above (pages 17–18).

Third Form: The Simple Entrance

At all other Masses of this Sunday at which the Solemn Entrance is not held, the memorial of the Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem takes place by means of a Simple Entrance.

Entrance Antiphon Cf. John 12:1, 12-13; Psalm 24 (23):9-10Six days before the Passover, / when the Lord came into the city of Jerusalem, / the children ran to meet him; / in their hands they carried palm branches / and with a loud voice cried out: / Hosanna in the highest! / Blessed are you, who have come in your abundant mercy!

O gates, lift high your heads; / grow higher, ancient doors. / Let him enter, the king of glory! / Who is this king of glory? / He, the Lord of hosts, he is the king of glory. / Hosanna in the highest! / Blessed are you, who have come in your abundant mercy!

MassCollectAlmighty ever-living God,who as an example of humility for the human race to followcaused our Savior to take flesh and submit to the Cross,graciously grant that we may heed his lesson of patient

sufferingand so merit a share in his Resurrection.Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy

Spirit,one God, for ever and ever.

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah 50:4-7

My face I did not shield from buffets and spitting, knowing that I shall not be put to shame.

The Lord God has given me / a well-trained tongue, / that I might know how to speak to the weary / a word

that will rouse them. / Morning after morning / he opens my ear that I may hear; / and I have not rebelled, / have not turned back. / I gave my back to those who beat me, / my

Sunday 2322 April 1

cheeks to those who plucked my beard; / my face I did not shield / from buffets and spitting.

The Lord God is my help, / therefore I am not disgraced; / I have set my face like flint, / knowing that I shall not be put to shame.The word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24

r. (2a) My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

All who see me scoff at me;they mock me with parted lips, they wag their heads:

“He relied on the Lord; let him deliver him,let him rescue him, if he loves him.” r.

Indeed, many dogs surround me,a pack of evildoers closes in upon me;

they have pierced my hands and my feet;I can count all my bones. r.

They divide my garments among them,and for my vesture they cast lots.

But you, O Lord, be not far from me;O my help, hasten to aid me. r.

I will proclaim your name to my brethren;in the midst of the assembly I will praise you:

“You who fear the Lord, praise him;all you descendants of Jacob, give glory to him;revere him, all you descendants of Israel!” r.

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians 2:6-11

Christ humbled himself. Because of this God greatly exalted him.

Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, / did not regard equality with God / something to be

grasped. / Rather, he emptied himself, / taking the form of a slave, / coming in human likeness; / and found human in appearance, / he humbled himself, / becoming obedient to the point of death, / even death on a cross. / Because of this, God greatly exalted him / and bestowed on him the name / which is above every name, / that at the name of Jesus / every knee should bend, / of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, / and every tongue confess that / Jesus Christ is Lord, / to the glory of God the Father.The word of the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation Philippians 2:8-9Christ became obedient to the point of death,even death on a cross.Because of this, God greatly exalted himand bestowed on him the name which is above every name.

The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark 14:1–15:47 (Shorter Form [ ], 15:1-39, p. 30)

The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ.The symbols in the following passion narrative represent: C. Narrator; W Christ; S. speakers other than Christ; SS. groups of speakers.

C. The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were to take place in two days’ time. So the chief priests and the scribes were seeking a way to arrest him by treachery and put him to death. They said,SS. “Not during the festival, for fear that there may be a riot among the people.”

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C. When he was in Bethany reclining at table in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of perfumed oil, costly genuine spikenard. She broke the alabaster jar and poured it on his head. There were some who were indignant.SS. “Why has there been this waste of perfumed oil? It could have been sold for more than three hundred

days’ wages and the money given to the poor.”C. They were infuriated with her. Jesus said,W “Let her alone. Why do you make trouble for her? She has done a good thing for me. The poor you will always have with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them, but you will not always have me. She has done what she could. She has anticipated anointing my body for burial. Amen, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed to the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”

C. Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went off to the chief priests to hand him over to them. When they heard him they were pleased and promised

to pay him money. Then he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him,SS. “Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?”C. He sent two of his disciples and said to them,

W “Go into the city and a man will meet you, carrying a jar of water. Follow him. Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” ’ Then he will show you a large upper room furnished

and ready. Make the preparations for us there.”C. The disciples then went off, entered the city, and found it just as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover.

When it was evening, he came with the Twelve. And as they reclined at table and were eating, Jesus said,W “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.”C. They began to be distressed and to say to him, one by

one,S. “Surely it is not I?”C. He said to them,W “One of the Twelve, the one who dips with me into

the dish. For the Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is

betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been

born.”

C. While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, and said,W “Take it; this is my body.”C. Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it.

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He said to them,W “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many. Amen, I say to you, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of

God.”C. Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Then Jesus said to them,W “All of you will have your faith shaken, for it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be dispersed. But after I have been raised up, I shall go before you to Galilee.”C. Peter said to him,S. “Even though all should have their faith shaken, mine will not be.”C. Then Jesus said to him,W “Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times.”C. But he vehemently replied,S. “Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you.”C. And they all spoke similarly.

Then they came to a place named Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples,W “Sit here while I pray.”C. He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be troubled and distressed. Then he said to them,W “My soul is sorrowful even to death.

Remain here and keep watch.”C. He advanced a little and fell to the ground and prayed that if it were possible the hour might pass by him;

he said,W “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will.”C. When he returned he found them asleep. He said to Peter,W “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.”C. Withdrawing again, he prayed, saying the same thing. Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open and did not know what to answer him. He returned a third time and said to them,W “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough. The hour has come. Behold, the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners. Get up, let us go. See, my betrayer is at hand.”

C. Then, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs who had come from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. His betrayer had arranged a signal with them, saying,S. “The man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him and lead him away securely.”C. He came and immediately went over to him and said,S. “Rabbi.”

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C. And he kissed him. At this they laid hands on him and arrested him. One of the bystanders drew his sword, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his ear. Jesus said to them in reply,W “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs, to seize me? Day after day I was with you teaching in the temple

area, yet you did not arrest me; but that the Scriptures may be fulfilled.”C. And they all left him and fled. Now a young man followed him wearing nothing but a linen cloth about his body. They seized him, but he left the cloth behind and ran off naked.

They led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests and the elders and the

scribes came together. Peter followed him at a distance into the high priest’s

courtyard and was seated with the guards, warming himself at

the fire. The chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin kept trying to obtain testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death, but they found none. Many gave false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree. Some took the stand and testified falsely against him,

alleging,SS. “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands and within three days I will build another

not made with hands.’ ”C. Even so their testimony did not agree. The high priest rose before the assembly and questioned

Jesus, saying,S. “Have you no answer? What are these men testifying against you?”C. But he was silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him and said to him,S. “Are you the Christ, the son of the Blessed One?”C. Then Jesus answered,W “I am; and ‘you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.’ ”C. At that the high priest tore his garments and said,S. “What further need have we of witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”C. They all condemned him as deserving to die. Some began to spit on him. They blindfolded him and struck him and said to him,SS. “Prophesy!”C. And the guards greeted him with blows.

While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the high priest’s maids came along. Seeing Peter warming himself, she looked intently at him and said,S. “You too were with the Nazarene, Jesus.”C. But he denied it saying,S. “I neither know nor understand what you are

talking about.”C. So he went out into the outer court. Then the cock crowed. The maid saw him and began again to say to the

bystanders,

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S. “This man is one of them.”C. Once again he denied it. A little later the bystanders said to Peter once more,SS. “Surely you are one of them; for you too are a

Galilean.”C. He began to curse and to swear,S. “I do not know this man about whom you are talking.”C. And immediately a cock crowed a second time. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had said

to him,W “Before the cock crows twice you will deny me three

times.”C. He broke down and wept.

[As soon as morning came, the chief priests with the elders and the scribes, that is, the whole Sanhedrin, held a council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him

over to Pilate. Pilate questioned him,S. “Are you the king of the Jews?”C. He said to him in reply,W “You say so.”C. The chief priests accused him of many things. Again Pilate questioned him,S. “Have you no answer? See how many things they accuse you of.”C. Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was

amazed.

Now on the occasion of the feast he used to release to them

one prisoner whom they requested. A man called Barabbas was then in prison along with the rebels who had committed murder

in a rebellion.

The crowd came forward and began to ask him to do for them as he was accustomed. Pilate answered,S. “Do you want me to release to you the king of the

Jews?”C. For he knew that it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed him over. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. Pilate again said to them in reply,S. “Then what do you want me to do with the man you call the king of the Jews?”C. They shouted again,SS. “Crucify him.”C. Pilate said to them,S. “Why? What evil has he done?”C. They only shouted the louder,SS. “Crucify him.”C. So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them and, after he had Jesus

scourged, handed him over to be crucified.

The soldiers led him away inside the palace, that is, the praetorium, and assembled the whole

cohort. They clothed him in purple and, weaving a crown of thorns, placed it on him. They began to salute him with,SS. “Hail, King of the Jews!”C. and kept striking his head with a reed and spitting

upon him. They knelt before him in homage. And when they had mocked him,

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they stripped him of the purple cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him out to crucify him.

They pressed into service a passer-by, Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.

They brought him to the place of Golgotha —which is translated Place of the Skull—. They gave him wine drugged with myrrh, but he did not take it. Then they crucified him and divided his garments by casting lots for them to see what each should take. It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified

him. The inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” With him they crucified two revolutionaries, one on his right and one on his left. Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads and saying,SS. “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself by coming down from the cross.”C. Likewise the chief priests, with the scribes, mocked him among themselves and said,SS. “He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.”C. Those who were crucified with him also kept abusing

him.

At noon darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice,W “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?”C. which is translated,W “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”C. Some of the bystanders who heard it said,SS. “Look, he is calling Elijah.”C. One of them ran, soaked a sponge with wine, put it

on a reed and gave it to him to drink saying,S. “Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to take him down.”C. Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.

Here all kneel and pause for a short time. The veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to

bottom. When the centurion who stood facing him saw how he breathed his last he said,S. “Truly this man was the Son of God!”]C. There were also women looking on from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of the younger James and of Joses,

and Salome. These women had followed him when he was in Galilee and ministered to him. There were also many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem.

When it was already evening, since it was the day of preparation, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a distinguished member of the council, who was himself awaiting the kingdom of God, came and courageously went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.

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Pilate was amazed that he was already dead. He summoned the centurion and asked him if Jesus had already died. And when he learned of it from the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. Having bought a linen cloth, he took him down, wrapped him in the linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb that had been hewn out of

the rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses watched where he was laid.The Gospel of the Lord.

Prayer over the OfferingsThrough the Passion of your Only Begotten Son, O Lord,may our reconciliation with you be near at hand,so that, though we do not merit it by our own deeds,yet by this sacrifice made once for all,we may feel already the effects of your mercy.Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon Matthew 26:42Father, if this chalice cannot pass without my drinking it, / your will be done.

Prayer after CommunionNourished with these sacred gifts,we humbly beseech you, O Lord,that, just as through the death of your Sonyou have brought us to hope for what we believe,so by his Resurrectionyou may lead us to where you call.Through Christ our Lord.

ReflectionI’ve Been There

I’ve been there is such an interesting idiom. It means I under-stand how you feel because I’ve had that experience myself. How fascinating that a state of mind or heart can be spoken of as if it were a place. Yet sorrow, pain, or grief is like a place. We live there. Yet we also may pass through it. We need not stay there forever.

The liturgy of Palm Sunday takes us to fearful places: Gethsemane, Calvary, Golgotha. And the story we hear there is fraught with paradox. The apostles love Jesus, yet they betray and abandon him. His suffering is excruciating and demean-ing, yet it brings redemption. These paradoxes are part of our life too. Gethsemane, Calvary, and Golgotha are all places we know firsthand. Our pilgrimage of faith takes us there.

Olive branches, palm fronds, pussy willows—whatever one waves on Palm Sunday in remembrance of the Lord’s trium-phant entry into Jerusalem, the point is not what’s in our hands. It’s the procession. As Adrian Nocent, OSB, has observed: “the important thing is not the palms themselves, but the procession in which they are carried.” The liturgy “looks upon the proces-sion . . . as Christ’s journey, together with his people, to Calvary and to the great central act of redemption.”

If, afterwards, you take home a blessed palm and tuck it behind a crucifix or braid it or put it in a vase, what does it mean? Another year gone by, another Holy Week? Perhaps it says I’ve been there—yet I believe in Christ’s triumph. We are on our way to Easter.

Rita Ferrone

Rita Ferrone is a writer and speaker about issues of liturgy, catechesis, and Church renewal. She lives in Mount Vernon, New York.

Sunday 3736 April 1

EveningGod, come to my assistance.Lord, make haste to help me.

(opt. hymn, pp. 434–39)Psalm 116:10-19I trusted, even when I said,“I am sorely afflicted,”and when I said in my alarm,“These people are all liars.”

How can I repay the Lordfor all his goodness to me?The cup of salvation I will raise;I will call on the name of the Lord.

My vows to the Lord I will fulfillbefore all his people.How precious in the eyes of the Lordis the death of his faithful.

Your servant, Lord, your servant am I,the son of your handmaid;you have loosened my bonds.A thanksgiving sacrifice I make;I will call on the name of the Lord.

My vows to the Lord I will fulfillbefore all his people,in the courts of the house of the Lord,in your midst, O Jerusalem.


Scripture Romans 5:12, 14-15

Therefore, just as through one person sin entered the world, and through sin, death, and thus death came to

all, inasmuch as all sinned. . . . But death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin after the pattern of the trespass of Adam, who is the type of the one who was to come.

But the gift is not like the transgression. For if by that one person’s transgression the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one person Jesus Christ overflow for the many.


AntiphonHosanna to the Son of David.

Canticle of Mary (inside back cover)

IntercessionsSecure in your faithful love, O God, we pray: r. God, free us from the grip of death.

Help us to overcome the temptation of sin and to walk in the love of Christ. r.

Reconcile division and mistrust among believers. r.

Heed the cries of those who mourn and those who walk in the shadow of death. r.

Our Father . . .

May God strengthen us in the Spirit so that our words and deeds may proclaim to all that Jesus is Lord. Amen.

38

39April 1–7Holy Week

Within the WordIsaiah in Holy Week

The man looked pitiful. He was bloody, dirty, and clearly ex-hausted. His beard was matted and his eyes sunken. His bare torso bore the marks of the whip. We couldn’t look him in the face, and even if we had, we would not have reckoned him par-ticularly attractive. He seemed to be a no-account. He kept silent, his eyes to the ground. He was obviously a man of suffering.

So what did we ever see in him?When the early Christians listened to the “Suffering Ser-

vant” songs of the book of Isaiah, which are read throughout Holy Week and reach their peak on Good Friday, they could not help but think of Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified Messiah. It was as if Isaiah, who wrote centuries before Christ, had made a video of the astonishing events of the week.

Alternating between the voice of God and the voice of the Suffering Servant, Isaiah writes:

“Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased.”

“I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buf-fets and spitting.”

These words in their original context were most likely spo-ken about the people of Israel, themselves victims of Babylonian aggression and defeated in Exile. Israel was God’s (sometimes) faithful, but often abused and mistreated, servant.

Yet through the centuries Christians have rightly understood the deeper meaning of Isaiah’s words, which actually described

a greater, more faithful, Servant. We know him as Jesus Christ, and we celebrate the salvation and redemption achieved by his suffering during Holy Week and the sacred three days of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.

But we should not lose sight of Isaiah’s entire timeless tes-timony. He speaks not only of suffering for the sake of others but also of vindication:

“Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I am pleased, upon whom I have set my Spirit. . . . I will make you a light to the nations.”

“Yet it was our infirmities he bore, our sufferings he en-dured . . . upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we are healed.”

“See, my servant shall prosper, he shall be raised on high and greatly exalted.”

The Servant’s suffering is not in vain! It is, on the contrary, a remedy for our sinfulness, our failures, our utter human frailty. His humiliation brings our reconciliation. And God makes Him a light to all nations! No wonder, then, we read on Palm Sunday the great hymn from Philippians (2:5-11), where Paul poetically captures the great turnabout already described by Isaiah but now lived out in the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

So what do we see in the Suffering Servant?We see a Savior. We see a man, God’s own Son, whose

voluntary suffering and refusal to defend himself against un-just treatment makes us a new people, redeemed and set free. So gaze upon the cross this Holy Week. See the Suffering One foretold by Isaiah. Though he was humbled, God exalted him and bestowed upon him the name above every other name!

—Fr. Ronald Witherup

Ronald D. Witherup, SS, is Superior General of the Sulpicians and lives in Paris, France.

Monday 4140

Monday, April 2


(opt. hymn, pp. 434–39)Psalm 66:8-9, 16-20O peoples, bless our God;let the voice of his praise resound,of the God who gave life to our soulsand kept our feet from stumbling.

Come and hear, all who fear God;I will tell what he did for my soul.To him I cried aloud,with exaltation ready on my tongue.

Had I considered evil in my heart,the Lord would not have listened.But truly God has listened;he has heeded the voice of my prayer.Blest be God, who did not reject my prayer,nor withhold from me his merciful love.


Scripture Habakkuk 1:2-5

How long, O Lord, must I cry for help / and you do not listen? / Or cry out to you, “Violence!” / and you do

not intervene? / Why do you let me see iniquity? / why do

you simply gaze at evil? / Destruction and violence are be-fore me; / there is strife and discord. / This is why the law is numb / and justice never comes, / For the wicked sur-round the just; / this is why justice comes forth perverted.

Look over the nations and see! / Be utterly amazed! / For a work is being done in your days / that you would not believe, were it told.


AntiphonHere is my servant whom I uphold; he will establish justice on the earth.


IntercessionsAll-powerful God, stay with us and hear us as we pray: r. Show us your mercy, O God.

Strengthen us in our weakness and grant us new life. r.

Shed the light of your peace where there is discord and strife. r.

Renew the spirits of the fainthearted and discouraged. r.

Our Father . . .

May God bless us with strong hearts and ready will that we may choose always to love God and neighbor. Amen.

Monday 4342 April 2

Blessed Among UsBlessed John Paul IIPope (1920–2005)

Karol Wojtyla, archbishop of Krakow, was elected pope in 1978, taking the name John Paul II. Growing up in Poland he had experienced firsthand the realities of war, genocide, and totalitarian ideology. All this deeply marked his faith and his vision of the Church’s role in defending human dignity and the life of the spirit.

Soon after his election John Paul II visited his homeland, where his appearances set in motion a moral-political resur-gence that fostered the dissident Solidarity labor movement. A first crack in the edifice of communism, it helped within ten years to bring down the communist regime in Poland and begin a chain reaction that effectively ended the com-munist bloc in Eastern Europe and the end of the Cold War.

In 1981 John Paul II was nearly killed by a Turkish assassin in St. Peter’s Square. He survived to visit his assailant in prison and offer his forgiveness. He was a master of such dramatic gestures. Later, as the effects of Parkinson’s disease overtook him, he humbly offered a different kind of witness.

Upon his death on April 2, 2005, a cry of Santo Subito! (sainthood immediately) arose among mourners in St. Peter’s Square. Six years later, after an expedited process, he was beatified. His feast day is October 22.

“Do not be afraid. Do not be satisfied with mediocrity. Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”

—Blessed John Paul II

MassMonday of Holy Week

Entrance Antiphon Cf. Psalm 35 (34):1-2; 140 (139):8Contend, O Lord, with my contenders; / fight those who fight me. / Take up your buckler and shield; / arise in my defense, Lord, my mighty help.

CollectGrant, we pray, almighty God,that, though in our weakness we fail,we may be revived through the Passion of your Only

Begotten Son.Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the

Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever.


He will not cry out, nor make his voice heard in the street. (First oracle of the Servant of the Lord)

Here is my servant whom I uphold, / my chosen one with whom I am pleased, / Upon whom I have put my Spirit;

/ he shall bring forth justice to the nations, / Not crying out, not shouting, / not making his voice heard in the street. / A bruised reed he shall not break, / and a smoldering wick he shall not quench, / Until he establishes justice on the earth; / the coastlands will wait for his teaching.

Thus says God, the Lord, / who created the heavens and stretched them out, / who spreads out the earth with its crops, / Who gives breath to its people / and spirit to those who walk on it: / I, the Lord, have called you for the victory of justice, / I have grasped you by the hand; / I formed you, and set you / as a covenant of the people, / a light for the

The Blessed Among Us features each month are written by Robert Ellsberg, author of All Saints.

Monday 4544 April 2

nations, / To open the eyes of the blind, / to bring out pris-oners from confinement, / and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.The word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm 27:1, 2, 3, 13-14

r. (1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation.

The Lord is my light and my salvation;whom should I fear?

The Lord is my life’s refuge;of whom should I be afraid? r.

When evildoers come at meto devour my flesh,

My foes and my enemiesthemselves stumble and fall. r.

Though an army encamp against me,my heart will not fear;

Though war be waged upon me,even then will I trust. r.

I believe that I shall see the bounty of the Lordin the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord with courage;be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord. r.

Gospel AcclamationHail to you, our King;you alone are compassionate with our faults.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 12:1-11

Let her keep this for the day of my burial.

Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.

They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him. Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aro-matic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples, and the one who would betray him, said, “Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wages and given to the poor?” He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief and held the money bag and used to steal the contributions. So Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came, not only because of him, but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too, because many of the Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him.The Gospel of the Lord.

Prayer over the OfferingsLook graciously, O Lord,upon the sacred mysteries we celebrate here,and may what you have mercifully providedto cancel the judgment we incurredbear for us fruit in eternal life.Through Christ our Lord.

Monday 4746 April 2

Communion Antiphon Cf. Psalm 102 (101):3Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress. / Turn your ear towards me; on the day when I call, speedily answer me.

Prayer after CommunionVisit your people, O Lord, we pray,and with ever-watchful lovelook upon the hearts dedicated to you by means of these

sacred mysteries,so that under your protectionwe may keep safe this remedy of eternal salvation,which by your mercy we have received.Through Christ our Lord.

ReflectionThe Meaning of It All

Yesterday we heard St. Mark’s Passion. We already know how this week will end. Jesus’ contemporaries also may have been well aware of a storm brewing, but they were without any clear idea of what its outcome would be.

In the context of this charged atmosphere, the dramatic gesture of Mary of Bethany stuns the bystanders. Alone among them she understood that Jesus’ death was imminent and that it would be such that the normal offices of grieving love would be impossible. Her action was both the expression of a loving heart and a prophetic gesture.

Mary’s magnanimous action in giving herself mirrors that of Christ, who gave his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). Like the widow who gave her last coins as an act of

devotion, Mary pours out not only the ointment but her whole heart as an expression of a love that goes beyond rea-sonable boundaries and can be satisfied only with an act of complete self-giving.

When Julian of Norwich pondered the immense depth of Christ’s sufferings and felt within herself something of the horror inspired by such cruelty, she found consolation in one simple truth: “Love is the meaning of it all.” The sufferings of Christ are meaningless unless we see them as the expression of a love that embraced humanity, with all its ugliness and violence, and by a mysterious alchemy converted these into something precious and life-giving.

Love is the meaning of the paschal paradox, love that is expressed in the uninhibited gift of self, in the giving up of one’s life for the sake of others. This love calls us to imitation: to die to self and to live for God.

Fr. Michael Casey

Michael Casey, a Cistercian monk of Tarrawarra Abbey in Australia, is a well-known retreat master and lecturer, and the author of many books on spirituality.

Monday 4948 April 2


(opt. hymn, pp. 434–39)Psalm 31:10-11, 15-17Have mercy on me, O Lord,for I am in distress.My eyes are wasted with grief,my soul and my body.

For my life is spent with sorrow,and my years with sighs.Affliction has broken down my strength,and my bones waste away.

But as for me, I trust in you, O Lord;I say, “You are my God.My lot is in your hands, deliver mefrom the hands of my enemiesand those who pursue me.

Let your face shine on your servant.Save me in your merciful love.”


Scripture Acts 10:36-39a

You know the word [that] he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord

of all, what has happened all over Judea, beginning in

Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and [in] Jerusalem.


AntiphonI formed you and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations.


IntercessionsGracious God, with trust we pray: r. Hear our cry for mercy, Lord.

Snatch us from the power of death and set us on the path of life. r.

Heal those who are sick in mind and in heart. r.

Raise to new life all who have died with their hope fixed on you. r.

Our Father . . .

May God favor us and bless us and let his face shine upon us now and always. Amen.

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Tuesday, April 3


(opt. hymn, pp. 434–39)Psalm 33:8-12, 20-22Let all the earth fear the Lord,all who live in the world revere him.He spoke, and it came to be.He commanded; it stood in place.

The Lord frustrates the designs of the nations;he defeats the plans of the peoples.The designs of the Lord stand forever,the plans of his heart from age to age.

Blessed the nation whose God is the Lord,the people he has chosen as his heritage.

Our soul is waiting for the Lord.He is our help and our shield.In him do our hearts find joy.We trust in his holy name.May your merciful love be upon us,as we hope in you, O Lord.


Scripture Lamentations 3:55-60

I have called upon your name, O Lord, / from the bottom of the pit; / You heard me call, “Do not let your ear be

deaf / to my cry for help.” / You drew near on the day I called you; / you said, “Do not fear!”

You pleaded my case, Lord, / you redeemed my life. / You see, Lord, how I am wronged; / do me justice! / You see all their vindictiveness, / all their plots against me.


AntiphonMy reward is with the Lord; my recompense is with my God.


IntercessionsGod, our saving shield, in faith we pray to you: r. We place our trust in you, O God.

Disrupt the designs of evil and fortify the efforts of justice and peace. r.

Relieve those who are threatened by famine or drought. r.

Sustain those who are troubled in spirit or terrorized by fear. r.

Our Father . . .

May God look upon us with love and fill us with peace. Amen.

Tuesday 5352 April 3

Blessed Among UsSt. Mary of EgyptHermit (Fifth Century)

St. Mary, who was born in Egypt, ran away to Alexandria at the age of twelve and became a prostitute. She supported herself in this fashion for seventeen years. Eventually she joined a caravan of pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem. There she attempted to enter a church but was blocked by an invis-ible force. Believing that the obstacle was caused by her own sins, she began to weep. Looking up at an icon of the Virgin Mary she confessed her sins and promised to live a chaste and penitent life. Immediately, she felt the barrier lift, and she entered the church. While worshiping inside she heard a voice tell her: “If you go across the Jordan you will be saved.” Thereafter she crossed the Jordan and went into the desert, where she lived as a hermit for the next forty-seven years.

Toward the end of her life she was discovered by a wander-ing priest. He was most startled to find a solitary woman living in the wilderness. To him she related her story and requested that he return on Holy Thursday to bring her com-munion. He gladly performed this duty. But the following year when he returned again he found her dead. In the sand by her side, she had written, “Bury Mary’s little body, return her dust to the earth, and pray for me to the Lord.”

“Having offered my prayer and putting my trust in the name of the Blessed Virgin, I went again to the door of the church and entered without difficulty.”

—St. Mary of Egypt

MassTuesday of Holy Week

Entrance Antiphon Cf. Psalm 27 (26):12Do not leave me to the will of my foes, O Lord, / for false witnesses rise up against me / and they breathe out violence.

CollectAlmighty ever-living God,grant us so to celebratethe mysteries of the Lord’s Passionthat we may merit to receive your pardon.Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever.


I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.

(Second oracle of the Servant of the Lord)

Hear me, O islands, / listen, O distant peoples. / The Lord called me from birth, / from my mother’s womb

he gave me my name. / He made of me a sharp-edged sword / and concealed me in the shadow of his arm. / He made me a polished arrow, / in his quiver he hid me. / You are my servant, he said to me, / Israel, through whom I show my glory.

Though I thought I had toiled in vain, / and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength, / Yet my reward is with the Lord, / my recompense is with my God. / For now the Lord has spoken / who formed me as his servant from the womb, / That Jacob may be brought back to him / and Israel gathered


to him; / And I am made glorious in the sight of the Lord, / and my God is now my strength! / It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant, / to raise up the tribes of Jacob, / and restore the survivors of Israel; / I will make you a light to the nations, / that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.The word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5ab-6ab, 15 and 17

r. (see 15ab) I will sing of your salvation.

In you, O Lord, I take refuge;let me never be put to shame.

In your justice rescue me, and deliver me;incline your ear to me, and save me. r.

Be my rock of refuge,a stronghold to give me safety,for you are my rock and my fortress.

O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked. r.

For you are my hope, O Lord;my trust, O God, from my youth.

On you I depend from birth;from my mother’s womb you are my strength. r.

My mouth shall declare your justice,day by day your salvation.

O God, you have taught me from my youth,and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds. r.

Gospel AcclamationHail to you, our King, obedient to the Father;you were led to your crucifixion like a gentle lamb to the

slaughter.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 13:21-33, 36-38

One of you will betray me; the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.

Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, “Amen, amen, I say to you, one

of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, at a loss as to whom he meant. One of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus’ side. So Simon Peter nodded to him to find out whom he meant. He leaned back against Jesus’ chest and said to him, “Master, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it.” So he dipped the morsel and took it and handed it to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot. After Judas took the morsel, Satan entered him. So Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” Now none of those reclining at table realized why he said this to him. Some thought that since Judas kept the money bag, Jesus had told him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or to give something to the poor. So Judas took the morsel and left at once. And it was night.

When he had left, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him at once. My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. You will look for me, and as I told the Jews, ‘Where I go you cannot come,’ so now I say it to you.”

Simon Peter said to him, “Master, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later.” Peter said to him, “Master, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life


for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.”The Gospel of the Lord.

Prayer over the OfferingsLook favorably, O Lord, we pray,on these offerings of your family,and to those you make partakers of these sacred giftsgrant a share in their fullness.Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon Romans 8:32God did not spare his own Son, / but handed him over for us all.

Prayer after CommunionNourished by your saving gifts,we beseech your mercy, Lord,that by this same Sacrament,with which you have fed us in the present ageyou may make us partakers of life eternal.Through Christ our Lord.

ReflectionBeloved

Who is that unnamed “disciple whom Jesus loved”? There are five references to this “beloved disciple” in the New Tes-tament, and they occur only in John’s Gospel.

This disciple is the one whom Peter prods at the Last Sup-per to find out from Jesus who his betrayer is (13:23-26); the

one at the crucifixion to whom Jesus says, “Here is your mother” (19:26-27); the one who wins the race to the empty tomb (and then steps back and lets Peter enter first) on Easter morning (20:1-10); the one who says, “It is the Lord!” after the astonishing post-resurrection catch of fish (21:1-7); and the one named as the eyewitness and author of the Gospel (21:20-24).

Though Peter promises never to leave Jesus, it is this Beloved Disciple who stands at the foot of the cross, who is given to Mary as her son, who recognizes Jesus after the resurrection.

Why is it that we more easily identify with Peter, who denies and abandons Jesus—or even Judas, who betrays Jesus—than with the “one whom Jesus loved”? Since the iden-tity of this most beloved friend of Jesus is purposely hidden, I just put my name in his place. Try it. And then (your name here), the disciple Jesus loved, stood with him at the cross. And then (your name here), the disciple Jesus loved, raced to find him at the empty tomb.

We hold his death and resurrection deep in our hearts. We are beloved by him whom we love.

Kathy McGovern

Kathy McGovern is a former instructor in the Denver Catholic Biblical School and a well-known writer and teacher in the Denver area. She writes weekly reflections that connect Scripture with life: www.thestoryandyou.com.



(opt. hymn, pp. 434–39)Psalm 11In the Lord I have taken refuge.How can you say to my soul,“Fly like a bird to the mountain!

Look, the wicked are bending their bow!They are fixing their arrow on the string,to shoot the upright of heart in the dark.Foundations once destroyed,what can the just man do?”

The Lord is in his holy temple;the throne of the Lord is in heaven.His eyes behold the world;his gaze probes the children of men.

The Lord inspects the just and the wicked;the lover of violence he hates.He sends fire and brimstone on the wicked,a scorching wind to fill their cup.For the Lord is just and loves deeds of justice;the upright shall behold his face.


Scripture 1 Peter 2:19-21

For whenever anyone bears the pain of unjust suffering because of consciousness of God, that is a grace. But

what credit is there if you are patient when beaten for doing wrong? But if you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps.


AntiphonYou who follow me must lay down your life for one another.


IntercessionsGod of justice, hear us as we pray: r. Show us your tender pardon, O God.

Strip us of our selfish concerns and purify our love for you. r.

Heal those betrayed by slander or unkind speech. r.

Protect those who serve in your name. r.

Our Father . . .

May God strengthen our resolve to follow Christ through his passion and death into everlasting life. Amen.

The Order of Mass 403

402

The Order of Mass❙❚ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the

Holy Spirit.❙❚ Amen.

GreetingThe grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,and the love of God,and the communion of the Holy Spiritbe with you all.And with your spirit.Grace to you and peace from God our Fatherand the Lord Jesus Christ.And with your spirit.The Lord be with you.And with your spirit.

Penitential ActBrethren (brothers and sisters), let us acknowledge our sins,and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.

(Pause)I confess to almighty Godand to you, my brothers and sisters,that I have greatly sinned,in my thoughts and in my words,in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, And, striking their breast, they say:

through my fault, through my fault,through my most grievous fault; Then they continue:

therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,all the Angels and Saints,and you, my brothers and sisters,to pray for me to the Lord our God.Have mercy on us, O Lord.For we have sinned against you.Show us, O Lord, your mercy.And grant us your salvation.

These or other invocations may be used.

You were sent to heal the contrite of heart:Lord, have mercy. Or: Kyrie, eleison.Lord, have mercy. Or: Kyrie, eleison.You came to call sinners:Christ, have mercy. Or: Christe, eleison.Christ, have mercy. Or: Christe, eleison.You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us:Lord, have mercy. Or: Kyrie, eleison.Lord, have mercy. Or: Kyrie, eleison.

❙❚ May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.

❙❚ Amen.

KyrieThe Kyrie, eleison (Lord, have mercy) invocations follow, unless they have just occurred in a formula of the Penitential Act.❙❚ Lord, have mercy. ❙❚ Kyrie, eleison.❙❚ Lord, have mercy. ❙❚ Kyrie, eleison.❙❚ Christ, have mercy. ❙❚ Christe, eleison.❙❚ Christ, have mercy. ❙❚ Christe, eleison.❙❚ Lord, have mercy. ❙❚ Kyrie, eleison.❙❚ Lord, have mercy. ❙❚ Kyrie, eleison.

B

C

A

C

A

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404 The Order of Mass The Order of Mass 405

GloriaGlory to God in the highest,and on earth peace to people of good will.We praise you,we bless you,we adore you,we glorify you,we give you thanks for your great glory,Lord God, heavenly King,O God, almighty Father.Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us;you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer;you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.For you alone are the Holy One,you alone are the Lord,you alone are the Most High,Jesus Christ,with the Holy Spirit,in the glory of God the Father.Amen.

Collect (Opening Prayer)

Liturgy of the WordFirst Reading

Responsorial Psalm

Second Reading

Gospel Acclamation

GospelCleanse my heart and my lips, almighty God,that I may worthily proclaim your holy Gospel.❙❚ The Lord be with you.❙❚ And with your spirit.❙❚ A reading from the holy Gospel according to N.❙❚ Glory to you, O Lord.At the end:❙❚ The Gospel of the Lord.❙❚ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Through the words of the Gospelmay our sins be wiped away.

Homily

Profession of Faith[The Apostles’ Creed can be found on p. 431]

I believe in one God,the Father almighty,maker of heaven and earth,of all things visible and invisible.I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,the Only Begotten Son of God,born of the Father before all ages.God from God, Light from Light,true God from true God,begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;through him all things were made.For us men and for our salvationhe came down from heaven,


At the words that follow, up to and including and became man, all bow.

and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,and became man.For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,he suffered death and was buried,and rose again on the third dayin accordance with the Scriptures.He ascended into heavenand is seated at the right hand of the Father.He will come again in gloryto judge the living and the deadand his kingdom will have no end.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,who proceeds from the Father and the Son,who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,who has spoken through the prophets.I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sinsand I look forward to the resurrection of the deadand the life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayer of the Faithful (Bidding Prayers)

Liturgy of the EucharistPresentation and Preparation of the GiftsBlessed are you, Lord God of all creation,for through your goodness we have receivedthe bread we offer you:fruit of the earth and work of human hands,it will become for us the bread of life.Blessed be God for ever.

By the mystery of this water and winemay we come to share in the divinity of Christwho humbled himself to share in our humanity.Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,for through your goodness we have receivedthe wine we offer you:fruit of the vine and work of human hands,it will become our spiritual drink.Blessed be God for ever.With humble spirit and contrite heartmay we be accepted by you, O Lord,and may our sacrifice in your sight this daybe pleasing to you, Lord God.Wash me, O Lord, from my iniquityand cleanse me from my sin.

Invitation to PrayerPray, brethren (brothers and sisters),that my sacrifice and yoursmay be acceptable to God,the almighty Father.May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your handsfor the praise and glory of his name,for our goodand the good of all his holy Church.

Prayer over the Offerings

Eucharistic Prayer❙❚ The Lord be with you. ❙❚ And with your spirit.❙❚ Lift up your hearts. ❙❚ We lift them up to the Lord.❙❚ Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.❙❚ It is right and just.


Preface of the Passion of the Lord It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,always and everywhere to give you thanks,Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God,through Christ our Lord.

For though innocent he suffered willingly for sinnersand accepted unjust condemnation to save the guilty.His Death has washed away our sins,and his Resurrection has purchased our justification.

And so, with all the Angels,we praise you, as in joyful celebration we acclaim:

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts . . .

Preface II of the Passion of the LordThe victory of the Passion(The following Preface is said on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of Holy Week.)It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,always and everywhere to give you thanks,Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God,through Christ our Lord.For the days of his saving Passionand glorious Resurrection are approaching,by which the pride of the ancient foe is vanquishedand the mystery of our redemption in Christ is celebrated.

Through him the host of Angels adores your majestyand rejoices in your presence for ever.May our voices, we pray, join with theirsin one chorus of exultant praise, as we acclaim:

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts . . .

Preface I of the Most Holy EucharistThe Sacrifice and the Sacrament of ChristIt is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,always and everywhere to give you thanks,Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God,through Christ our Lord.

For he is the true and eternal Priest,who instituted the pattern of an everlasting sacrificeand was the first to offer himself as the saving Victim,commanding us to make this offering as his memorial.As we eat his flesh that was sacrificed for us,we are made strong,and, as we drink his Blood that was poured out for us,we are washed clean.

And so, with Angels and Archangels,with Thrones and Dominions,and with all the hosts and Powers of heaven,we sing the hymn of your glory,as without end we acclaim:Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts . . .

Preface I of EasterThe Paschal Mystery(The following Preface is said during Easter Time. At the Easter Vigil, is said on this night; on Easter Sunday and throughout the Octave of Easter, is said on this day; on other days of Easter Time, is said in this time.)It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,at all times to acclaim you, O Lord,but (on this night / on this day / in this time) above allto laud you yet more gloriously,when Christ our Passover has been sacrificed.


For he is the true Lambwho has taken away the sins of the world;by dying he has destroyed our death,and by rising, restored our life.

Therefore, overcome with paschal joy,every land, every people exults in your praiseand even the heavenly Powers, with the angelic hosts,sing together the unending hymn of your glory,as they acclaim:Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts . . .

Preface II of Easter New life in Christ(The following Preface is said during Easter Time.)It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,at all times to acclaim you, O Lord,but in this time above all to laud you yet more gloriously,when Christ our Passover has been sacrificed.

Through him the children of light rise to eternal lifeand the halls of the heavenly Kingdomare thrown open to the faithful;for his Death is our ransom from death,and in his rising the life of all has risen.

Therefore, overcome with paschal joy,every land, every people exults in your praiseand even the heavenly Powers, with the angelic hosts,sing together the unending hymn of your glory,as they acclaim:Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts . . .

SanctusHoly, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.Heaven and earth are full of your glory.Hosanna in the highest.Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.Hosanna in the highest.Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dóminus Deus Sábaoth.Pleni sunt caeli et terra glória tua.Hosánna in excélsis.Benedíctus qui venit in nómine Dómini.Hosánna in excélsis.

Eucharistic Prayer I (Roman Canon)To you, therefore, most merciful Father,we make humble prayer and petitionthrough Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord:that you acceptand bless these gifts, these offerings,these holy and unblemished sacrifices,which we offer you firstlyfor your holy catholic Church.Be pleased to grant her peace,to guard, unite and govern herthroughout the whole world,together with your servant N. our Popeand N. our Bishop,and all those who, holding to the truth,hand on the catholic and apostolic faith.Remember, Lord, your servants N. and N.and all gathered here,whose faith and devotion are known to you.


For them, we offer you this sacrifice of praiseor they offer it for themselvesand all who are dear to them:for the redemption of their souls,in hope of health and well-being,and paying their homage to you,the eternal God, living and true.In communion with those whose memory we venerate,especially the glorious ever-Virgin Mary,Mother of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ,† and blessed Joseph, her Spouse,your blessed Apostles and Martyrs,Peter and Paul, Andrew,(James, John,Thomas, James, Philip,Bartholomew, Matthew,Simon and Jude;Linus, Cletus, Clement, Sixtus,Cornelius, Cyprian,Lawrence, Chrysogonus,John and Paul,Cosmas and Damian)and all your Saints;we ask that through their merits and prayers,in all things we may be defendedby your protecting help.(Through Christ our Lord. Amen.)

From the Mass of the Easter Vigil until the Second Sunday of EasterCelebrating the most sacred night (day)of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ in the flesh,and in communion with those whose memory we venerate,especially the glorious ever-Virgin Mary,Mother of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ, †

Therefore, Lord, we pray:graciously accept this oblation of our service,that of your whole family;order our days in your peace,and command that we be delivered from eternal damnationand counted among the flock of those you have chosen.(Through Christ our Lord. Amen.)Be pleased, O God, we pray,to bless, acknowledge,and approve this offering in every respect;make it spiritual and acceptable,so that it may become for usthe Body and Blood of your most beloved Son,our Lord Jesus Christ.On the day before he was to suffer,he took bread in his holy and venerable hands,and with eyes raised to heavento you, O God, his almighty Father,giving you thanks, he said the blessing,broke the breadand gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take this, all of you, and eat of it,for this is my Body,which will be given up for you.In a similar way, when supper was ended,he took this precious chalicein his holy and venerable hands,and once more giving you thanks, he said the blessingand gave the chalice to his disciples, saying:


Take this, all of you, and drink from it,for this is the chalice of my Blood,the Blood of the new and eternal covenant,which will be poured out for you and for manyfor the forgiveness of sins.Do this in memory of me.The mystery of faith.

We proclaim your Death, O Lord,and profess your Resurrectionuntil you come again.When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup,we proclaim your Death, O Lord,until you come again.Save us, Savior of the world,for by your Cross and Resurrectionyou have set us free.

Therefore, O Lord,as we celebrate the memorial of the blessed Passion,the Resurrection from the dead,and the glorious Ascension into heavenof Christ, your Son, our Lord,we, your servants and your holy people,offer to your glorious majestyfrom the gifts that you have given us,this pure victim,this holy victim,this spotless victim,the holy Bread of eternal lifeand the Chalice of everlasting salvation.

Be pleased to look upon these offeringswith a serene and kindly countenance,and to accept them,as once you were pleased to acceptthe gifts of your servant Abel the just,the sacrifice of Abraham, our father in faith,and the offering of your high priest Melchizedek,a holy sacrifice, a spotless victim.In humble prayer we ask you, almighty God:command that these gifts be borneby the hands of your holy Angelto your altar on highin the sight of your divine majesty,so that all of us, who through this participation at the altarreceive the most holy Body and Blood of your Son,may be filled with every grace and heavenly blessing.(Through Christ our Lord. Amen.)Remember also, Lord, your servants N. and N.,who have gone before us with the sign of faithand rest in the sleep of peace.Grant them, O Lord, we pray,and all who sleep in Christ,a place of refreshment, light and peace.(Through Christ our Lord. Amen.)To us, also, your servants, who, though sinners,hope in your abundant mercies,graciously grant some shareand fellowship with your holy Apostles and Martyrs:with John the Baptist, Stephen,Matthias, Barnabas,

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(Ignatius, Alexander,Marcellinus, Peter,Felicity, Perpetua,Agatha, Lucy,Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia)and all your Saints;admit us, we beseech you,into their company,not weighing our merits,but granting us your pardon,through Christ our Lord.Through whomyou continue to make all these good things, O Lord;you sanctify them, fill them with life,bless them, and bestow them upon us.Through him, and with him, and in him,O God, almighty Father,in the unity of the Holy Spirit,all glory and honor is yours,for ever and ever.Amen.The Lord’s Prayer, p. 426.

Eucharistic Prayer IIPrefaceIt is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,always and everywhere to give you thanks, Father most holy,through your beloved Son, Jesus Christ,your Word through whom you made all things,whom you sent as our Savior and Redeemer,incarnate by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin.

Fulfilling your will and gaining for you a holy people,he stretched out his hands as he endured his Passion,so as to break the bonds of death and manifest the resurrection.And so, with the Angels and all the Saintswe declare your glory,as with one voice we acclaim:Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts . . .You are indeed Holy, O Lord,the fount of all holiness.Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray,by sending down your Spirit upon them like the dewfall,so that they may become for usthe Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.At the time he was betrayedand entered willingly into his Passion,he took bread and, giving thanks, broke it,and gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take this, all of you, and eat of it,for this is my Body,which will be given up for you.In a similar way, when supper was ended,he took the chaliceand, once more giving thanks,he gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take this, all of you, and drink from it,for this is the chalice of my Blood,the Blood of the new and eternal covenant,which will be poured out for you and for manyfor the forgiveness of sins.Do this in memory of me.


The mystery of faith.We proclaim your Death, O Lord,and profess your Resurrectionuntil you come again.When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup,we proclaim your Death, O Lord,until you come again.Save us, Savior of the world,for by your Cross and Resurrectionyou have set us free.

Therefore, as we celebratethe memorial of his Death and Resurrection,we offer you, Lord,the Bread of life and the Chalice of salvation,giving thanks that you have held us worthyto be in your presence and minister to you.Humbly we praythat, partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ,we may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit.Remember, Lord, your Church,spread throughout the world,and bring her to the fullness of charity,together with N. our Pope and N. our Bishopand all the clergy.Remember also our brothers and sisterswho have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection,and all who have died in your mercy:welcome them into the light of your face.

Have mercy on us all, we pray,that with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God,with the blessed Apostles,and with all the Saints who have pleased you throughout

the ages,we may merit to be coheirs to eternal life,and may praise and glorify youthrough your Son, Jesus Christ.Through him, and with him, and in him,O God, almighty Father,in the unity of the Holy Spirit,all glory and honor is yours,for ever and ever.Amen.The Lord’s Prayer, p. 426.

Eucharistic Prayer IIIYou are indeed Holy, O Lord,and all you have createdrightly gives you praise,for through your Son our Lord Jesus Christ,by the power and working of the Holy Spirit,you give life to all things and make them holy,and you never cease to gather a people to yourself,so that from the rising of the sun to its settinga pure sacrifice may be offered to your name.Therefore, O Lord, we humbly implore you:by the same Spirit graciously make holythese gifts we have brought to you for consecration,that they may become the Body and Bloodof your Son our Lord Jesus Christ,at whose command we celebrate these mysteries.

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For on the night he was betrayedhe himself took bread,and, giving you thanks, he said the blessing,broke the bread and gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take this, all of you, and eat of it,for this is my Body,which will be given up for you.In a similar way, when supper was ended,he took the chalice,and, giving you thanks, he said the blessing,and gave the chalice to his disciples, saying:

Take this, all of you, and drink from it,for this is the chalice of my Blood,the Blood of the new and eternal covenant,which will be poured out for you and for manyfor the forgiveness of sins.Do this in memory of me.The mystery of faith.


Therefore, O Lord, as we celebrate the memorialof the saving Passion of your Son,his wondrous Resurrectionand Ascension into heaven,

and as we look forward to his second coming,we offer you in thanksgivingthis holy and living sacrifice.Look, we pray, upon the oblation of your Churchand, recognizing the sacrificial Victim by whose deathyou willed to reconcile us to yourself,grant that we, who are nourishedby the Body and Blood of your Sonand filled with his Holy Spirit,may become one body, one spirit in Christ.May he make of usan eternal offering to you,so that we may obtain an inheritance with your elect,especially with the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God,with your blessed Apostles and glorious Martyrs(with Saint N.: the Saint of the day or Patron Saint)and with all the Saints,on whose constant intercession in your presencewe rely for unfailing help.May this Sacrifice of our reconciliation,we pray, O Lord,advance the peace and salvation of all the world.Be pleased to confirm in faith and charityyour pilgrim Church on earth,with your servant N. our Pope and N. our Bishop,the Order of Bishops, all the clergy,and the entire people you have gained for your own.Listen graciously to the prayers of this family,whom you have summoned before you:in your compassion, O merciful Father,gather to yourself all your childrenscattered throughout the world.

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† To our departed brothers and sistersand to all who were pleasing to youat their passing from this life,give kind admittance to your kingdom.There we hope to enjoy for ever the fullness of your glorythrough Christ our Lord,through whom you bestow on the world all that is good. †Through him, and with him, and in him,O God, almighty Father,in the unity of the Holy Spirit,all glory and honor is yours,for ever and ever.Amen.The Lord’s Prayer, p. 426.

Eucharistic Prayer IVPrefaceIt is truly right to give you thanks,truly just to give you glory, Father most holy,for you are the one God living and true,existing before all ages and abiding for all eternity,dwelling in unapproachable light;yet you, who alone are good, the source of life,have made all that is,so that you might fill your creatures with blessingsand bring joy to many of them by the glory of your light.And so, in your presence are countless hosts of Angels,who serve you day and nightand, gazing upon the glory of your face,glorify you without ceasing.

With them we, too, confess your name in exultation,giving voice to every creature under heaven,as we acclaim:Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts . . .We give you praise, Father most holy,for you are greatand you have fashioned all your worksin wisdom and in love.You formed man in your own imageand entrusted the whole world to his care,so that in serving you alone, the Creator,he might have dominion over all creatures.And when through disobedience he had lost your friendship,you did not abandon him to the domain of death.For you came in mercy to the aid of all,so that those who seek might find you.Time and again you offered them covenantsand through the prophetstaught them to look forward to salvation.And you so loved the world, Father most holy,that in the fullness of timeyou sent your Only Begotten Son to be our Savior.Made incarnate by the Holy Spiritand born of the Virgin Mary,he shared our human naturein all things but sin.To the poor he proclaimed the good news of salvation,to prisoners, freedom,and to the sorrowful of heart, joy.To accomplish your plan,he gave himself up to death,and, rising from the dead,he destroyed death and restored life.


And that we might live no longer for ourselvesbut for him who died and rose again for us,he sent the Holy Spirit from you, Father,as the first fruits for those who believe,so that, bringing to perfection his work in the world,he might sanctify creation to the full.Therefore, O Lord, we pray:may this same Holy Spiritgraciously sanctify these offerings,that they may becomethe Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christfor the celebration of this great mystery,which he himself left usas an eternal covenant.For when the hour had comefor him to be glorified by you, Father most holy,having loved his own who were in the world,he loved them to the end:and while they were at supper,he took bread, blessed and broke it,and gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take this, all of you, and eat of it,for this is my Body,which will be given up for you.In a similar way,taking the chalice filled with the fruit of the vine,he gave thanks,and gave the chalice to his disciples, saying:

Take this, all of you, and drink from it,for this is the chalice of my Blood,the Blood of the new and eternal covenant,which will be poured out for you and for many

for the forgiveness of sins.Do this in memory of me.The mystery of faith.


Therefore, O Lord,as we now celebrate the memorial of our redemption,we remember Christ’s Deathand his descent to the realm of the dead,we proclaim his Resurrectionand his Ascension to your right hand,and, as we await his coming in glory,we offer you his Body and Blood,the sacrifice acceptable to youwhich brings salvation to the whole world.Look, O Lord, upon the Sacrificewhich you yourself have provided for your Church,and grant in your loving kindnessto all who partake of this one Bread and one Chalicethat, gathered into one body by the Holy Spirit,they may truly become a living sacrifice in Christto the praise of your glory.Therefore, Lord, remember nowall for whom we make this sacrifice:

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especially your servant N. our Pope,N. our Bishop, and the whole Order of Bishops,all the clergy,those who take part in this offering,those gathered here before you,your entire people,and all who seek you with a sincere heart.Remember alsothose who have died in the peace of your Christand all the dead,whose faith you alone have known.To all of us, your children,grant, O merciful Father,that we may enter into a heavenly inheritancewith the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God,and with your Apostles and Saints in your kingdom.There, with the whole of creation,freed from the corruption of sin and death,may we glorify you through Christ our Lord,through whom you bestow on the world all that is good.Through him, and with him, and in him,O God, almighty Father,in the unity of the Holy Spirit,all glory and honor is yours,for ever and ever.Amen.

Communion RiteLord’s PrayerAt the Savior’s commandand formed by divine teaching,we dare to say:

Our Father, who art in heaven,hallowed be thy name;thy kingdom come,thy will be doneon earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread,and forgive us our trespasses,as we forgive those who trespass against us;and lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from evil.Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil,graciously grant peace in our days,that, by the help of your mercy,we may be always free from sinand safe from all distress,as we await the blessed hopeand the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.For the kingdom,the power and the glory are yoursnow and for ever.

Sign of PeaceLord Jesus Christ,who said to your Apostles:Peace I leave you, my peace I give you,look not on our sins,but on the faith of your Church,and graciously grant her peace and unityin accordance with your will.Who live and reign for ever and ever.Amen.The peace of the Lord be with you always.And with your spirit.Let us offer each other the sign of peace.


Breaking of the BreadMay this mingling of the Body and Bloodof our Lord Jesus Christbring eternal life to us who receive it.Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi: miserere nobis.Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi: miserere nobis.Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi: dona nobis pacem.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God,who, by the will of the Fatherand the work of the Holy Spirit,through your Death gave life to the world,free me by this, your most holy Body and Blood,from all my sins and from every evil;keep me always faithful to your commandments,and never let me be parted from you.Or:May the receiving of your Body and Blood,Lord Jesus Christ,not bring me to judgment and condemnation,but through your loving mercybe for me protection in mind and bodyand a healing remedy.

Invitation to CommunionBehold the Lamb of God,behold him who takes away the sins of the world.Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.Lord, I am not worthythat you should enter under my roof,but only say the wordand my soul shall be healed.If there is no singing, the communion antiphon is recited.

Prayer after Communion

Concluding RitesFinal Blessing❙❚ The Lord be with you.❙❚ And with your spirit.❙❚ May almighty God bless you,

the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.❙❚ Amen.

DismissalGo forth, the Mass is ended.Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.Go in peace.

Thanks be to God.

Easter and throughout the Octave of Easter:

Go forth, the Mass is ended, alleluia, alleluia.Go in peace, alleluia, alleluia.

Thanks be to God, alleluia, alleluia.

DCBA

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Celebration of the Liturgy of the Word 431

430

Celebration of the Liturgy of the Word[With Holy Communion]

Introductory RitesIntroductionDeacon or lay leader:We gather here to celebrate the Lord’s Day.Sunday has been called the Lord’s Day because

it was on this daythat Jesus conquered sin and death and rose to new life.Unfortunately, we are not able to celebrate the Mass todaybecause we do not have a priest.Let us be united in the spirit of Christ with

the Church around the worldand celebrate our redemption in Christ’s suffering,

death, and resurrection.

Sign of the CrossDeacon or lay leader:❙❚ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the

Holy Spirit.❙❚ Amen.

GreetingDeacon or lay leader:❙❚ Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from

the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be God for ever.❙❚ Blessed be God for ever.

Collect

Liturgy of the WordFirst Reading

Responsorial Psalm

Second Reading

Gospel Acclamation

Gospel

Homily or Reflection on the Readings

Period of Silence

Profession of Faith[The Nicene Creed can be found on p. 405]

Apostles’ CreedI believe in God,the Father almighty,Creator of heaven and earth,and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. At the words that follow, up to and including the Virgin Mary,

all bow.

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,born of the Virgin Mary,suffered under Pontius Pilate,was crucified, died and was buried;he descended into hell;on the third day he rose again from the dead;he ascended into heaven,and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit,the holy catholic Church,the communion of saints,the forgiveness of sins,

434 Hymns Hymns 435

O Cross of Christ, Immortal TreeLent/Good Friday—am/pm

Familiar Tune: Jerusalem, My Happy Home

O Sacred Head SurroundedLent/Good Friday—am/pm

1. O Sacred Head surrounded by crown of piercing thorn!O bleeding Head, so wounded, reviled and put to scorn!The pow’r of death comes o’er you, the glow of life decays,yet angel hosts adore you, and tremble as they gaze.

2. I see your strength and vigor all fading in the strife,and death with cruel rigor, bereaving you of life;O agony and dying! O love to sinners free!Jesus, all grace supplying, O turn your face on me.

3. In this, your bitter passion, Good Shepherd, think of mewith your most sweet compassion, unworthy though I be:beneath your cross abiding for ever would I rest,in your dear love confiding, and with your presence blest.

Text: Salve caput cruentatum; ascr. to Bernard of Clairvaux, 1091–1153; tr. by Henry Baker, 1821–1877.

Music: PASSION CHORALE, 76 76 D, Hans Leo Hassler, 1564–1612.

Jesus Christ Is Ris’n TodayEaster—am

1. Jesus Christ is ris’n today, Alleluia!Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

2. Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!Unto Christ, our heav’nly King, Alleluia!Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!

3. But the pains which he endured, Alleluia!Our salvation have procured; Alleluia!Now above the sky he’s King, Alleluia!Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!

4. Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!Praise eternal as his love; Alleluia!Praise him, all you heav’nly host, Alleluia!Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!

Text: St. 1, Surrexit Christus hodie, Latin, 14th cent.; para. in Lyra Davidica, 1708, alt.; sts. 2, 3, The Compleat Psalmodist, c. 1750, alt.; st. 4, Charles Wesley, 1707–1788.

Music: EASTER HYMN, 77 77 with alleluias, Lyra Davidica, 1708.

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Guide to Lectio DivinaChoose a word or phrase of the Scriptures you wish to pray. It makes no difference which text is chosen, as long as you have no set goal of “covering” a certain amount of text. The amount of text covered is in God’s hands, not yours.

Read. Turn to the text and read it slowly, gently. Savor each portion of the reading, constantly listening for the “still, small voice” of a word or phrase that somehow says, “I am for you today.” Do not expect lightning or ecstasies. In lectio divina, God is teaching us to listen, to seek him in silence. God does not reach out and grab us but gently invites us ever more deeply into his presence.

Ponder. Take the word or phrase into yourself. Memorize it and slowly repeat it to yourself, allowing it to interact with your inner world of concerns, memories, and ideas. Do not be afraid of distractions. Memories or thoughts are simply parts of yourself that, when they rise up during lectio divina, are asking to be given to God along with the rest of your inner self. Allow this inner pondering, this rumination, to invite you into dialogue with God.

Pray. Whether you use words, ideas, or images—or all three—is not important. Interact with God as you would with one who you know loves and accepts you. Give to God what you have discovered during your experience of meditation. Give to God what you have found within your heart.

It is not necessary to assess the quality of your lectio divina, as if you were “performing” or seeking some goal. Lectio divina has no goal other than that of being in the presence of God by praying the Scriptures.

—Fr. Luke Dysinger

Luke Dysinger, OSB, is a Benedictine monk of Saint Andrew’s Abbey, Valyermo, California.

How to Use Give Us This Day™

Why a guide for using a daily prayer resource? Because daily prayer can seem daunting. Though I grew up saying prayers daily, daily prayer was a practice I came to well into my adult life. It was challenging at the start. Even if we’ve settled into the rhythm and practice of daily prayer, there is much to gain from the simplicity and substance of a resource such as Give Us This Day:

• Prayers for morning and evening include Scripture, inter-cessions, and other helpful prompts.

• “Blessed Among Us” features models of holy living who have gone before us and pray for us.

• Mass texts and reflections convey the depth and breadth of Scripture—and of God’s love for us in Christ.

You don’t need to attend daily Mass to pray with those texts. Nor do you need to pray with the daily content “in order.” You may wish to pray with all the content and not miss a word. You may be drawn to just a few words or particular features that give you pause. All or any of this is fine. Let the Holy Spirit be your daily guide—and be sure to explore the inspiring weekly and monthly pieces in each issue as well (see the user-friendly calendar and contents on pp. 2–4).

Whenever you pray—even if you don’t feel instant “results”— entrust your prayer to the Holy Spirit, who surely and certainly will lead you into communion with God and others.

May Give Us This Day help each of us to comfortably approach God in prayer, confident that God approaches us first and this day awaits our response.

Editor

Canticle of Mary (Magnificat) Luke 1:46-55

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,my spirit rejoices in God my Savior

for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:the Almighty has done great things for me,and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear himin every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm,he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israelfor he has remembered his promise of mercy,the promise he made to our fathers,to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Beginning in the May 2012 issue

Prayer at Night

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Scripture Philippians 4:4-7

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