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Presider

United with Christ in this Holy Week, we call out to God for harmony, reconciliation and healing of the world’s wounds.

Reader

We pray for Pope Francis and all Church leaders. May they be inspired by the example of the Suffering Servant in their mission to call Christians to a sense of service to others.

Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for Project Compassion and the work of Caritas. May our contributions help lighten the load of communities who are struggling to make their way in the world.

Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for all who will be received into our Church this Easter. May they be supported and encouraged as they respond to the Christian call to worship and service.

Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for our faith community as we journey with Jesus through his passion and death. May we all more deeply understand and accept what these events mean to us.

Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for …

Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray that all who are sick and suffering may be healed.
We pray for those who have died recently and for those whose anniversaries occur at this time. May they be raised in Christ to the eternal life he has promised.

Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

Presider

God of mercy and compassion, speak to those whose needs we entrust to you today. We pray this through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns forever.
Amen.

Presider

God’s power was manifested in all that Jesus said and did. Through Jesus’ Spirit, we open our hearts in prayer.

Reader

We pray for our Church. Under the leadership of Pope Francis, may it model Jesus’ wisdom, mercy and love in our troubled world.

Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for all government officials. May their service always be grounded in the ideals of justice and the common good.

Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray with and for the catechumens and candidates of our parish and diocese. As they come closer to the Easter sacraments, may they experience peace and healing.

Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for our faith community. May we recognise our own sinfulness so that we respond with mercy and kindness to others.

Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for …

Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for all who are sick in our parish and for all who have asked for our prayers.
We pray for those who have died recently and for those whose anniversaries we remember at this time. May God welcome them into the eternal kingdom.

Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

Presider

Merciful Father, hear the prayers of your children gathered here today. May your saving grace reach out to all for whom we pray. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Presider

God has reconciled us through Jesus Christ. We implore God today to show mercy, healing and forgiveness to all who are in need.

Reader

We pray for Pope Francis and all Church leaders. May they show the way of a Church that is a welcoming community, and may they teach us how to forgive and be forgiven.

Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for families who are experiencing discord and animosity. May they be reconciled with each other and be blessed by God’s love.

Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We continue to pray for Project Compassion this Lenten season. May people’s efforts and sacrifices strengthen their awareness so that they can respond to the needs of the poor more effectively.

Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for our faith community. May we pause and examine our own lives in the light of Jesus’ teaching in today’s gospel.

Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for …

Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for the sick of our parish and for all who have asked us for our prayers.
We pray for those who have died recently and for those whose anniversaries occur at this time. May they be raised to eternal life in Christ.

Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

Presider

Merciful Father, we come to you with repentant hearts. Hear the prayers we have brought to you today. We make our prayer through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Entrance

Responsorial psalm (see also music overview for Holy Week and Easter) 

Sequence (sung or said)

Gospel acclamation (see CWBII 43–53)

1 Corinthians 5:7–8

Alleluia, Alleluia!
Christ has become our paschal Christ has become our paschal sacrifice;
let us feast with joy in the Lord.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

Procession of the gifts/offertory 

Communion

Thanksgiving hymn/song/canticle (optional, sung by all)

Sending forth

Entrance

Responsorial psalm (see also music overview for Holy Week and Easter)

Gospel acclamation (see CWBII 54–61)

Philippians 2:8–9

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory!
Christ became obedient for us even to death,
dying on the cross.
Therefore God raised him on high
and gave him a name above all other names.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory!

Procession of the gifts/offertory 

Communion

Thanksgiving hymn/song/canticle (optional, sung by all)

Sending forth


 [LD1]Compare other years (and resources)

Entrance

Responsorial psalm (see also music overview for Lent) 

Lenten Gospel acclamation (see CWBII 54–61)

Joel 2:12—13

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory!
With all your heart turn to me,
for I am tender and compassionate. 
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory!

Procession of the gifts/offertory 

Communion

Thanksgiving hymn/song/canticle (optional, sung by all)

Sending forth

Entrance

Responsorial psalm (see also music overview for Lent) 

Lenten gospel acclamation (see CWBII 54–61)

Luke 15:18

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory!
I will rise and go to my Father and tell him:
Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory!

Procession of the gifts/offertory 

Communion

Thanksgiving hymn/song/canticle (optional, sung by all)

Sending forth

First reading

Acts 10:34, 37–43
‘We have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection.’

Responsorial psalm

Psalm 117(118):1–2, 16–17, 22–23
R. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.

Second reading

Colossians 3:1–4
Look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is.

Gospel acclamation

1 Corinthians 5:7–8
Christ has become our paschal sacrifice; let us feast with joy in the Lord.

Gospel

John 20:1–9
He must rise from the dead.

Images from the Word

Liturgical notes

The fundamental importance of Sunday has been recognized through two thousand years of history and was emphatically restated by the Second Vatican Council: ‘Every seven days, the Church celebrates the Easter mystery. This is a tradition going back to the Apostles, taking its origin from the actual day of Christ’s Resurrection—a day thus appropriately designated "the Lord’s Day"'.

Dies Domini, §3

In his encyclical on keeping Sunday holy, St John Paul II reminded us that the significance of Sunday is founded on today’s great feast of Easter. Easter as a distinct feast day was not celebrated in Rome until the mid–second century. Before that, the sacrament of the resurrection was celebrated during the Mass every Sunday. The community members sing ‘Alleluia’ and draw life for the coming week from their encounter with the resurrected Christ.

‘I have risen, and I am with you still, alleluia. You have laid your hand upon me, alleluia. Too wonderful for me, this knowledge, alleluia, alleluia’

—entrance antiphon

First reading

Isaiah 50:4–7
I did not cover my face against insult: I know I shall not be shamed.

Responsorial psalm

Psalm 21(22):8–9, 17–20, 23–24
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

Second reading

Philippians 2:6–11
Christ humbled himself but God raised him high.

Gospel acclamation

Philippians 2:8–9
Christ became obedient for us even to death, dying on the cross.
Therefore God raised him on high and gave him a name above all other names.

Gospel

Luke 22:14–23:56
The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.

Images from the Word

Liturgical notes

This Sunday, God's people gather with branches after the opening chant to sign themselves with the sign of the cross and exchange the usual greeting. Then we hear:

With all faith and devotion, let us commemorate the 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.

Palm Sunday Procession, §5

Blessed by water and the proclamation of the Gospel, the community proceeds in song into the body of the church to celebrate word and sacrament. The proclamation of the Gospel will be without candles, incense, greetings or signing. We, the people of the paschal mystery, then move to Communion in that very sacrifice.

‘Through 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.’

—prayer over the offerings

First reading

Isaiah 43:16–21
I am doing a new thing and I will give drink to my people.

Responsorial psalm

Psalm 125(126)
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

Second reading

Philippians 3:8–14
I look on everything as so much rubbish if only I can have Christ.

Gospel acclamation

Joel 2:12–13
With all your heart turn to me, for I am tender and compassionate.

Gospel

John 8:1–11
Let the person without sin be the first to throw a stone.

Images from the Word

Liturgical notes

Though holy in its origin, this people nevertheless grows continually in holiness by its conscious, active, and fruitful participation in the mystery of the Eucharist.

General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §5

In the upcoming feast of the Easter Vigil, we offer the elect the redeeming waters of baptism and the imposition of hands for the gift of the Holy Spirit, so that they may share in Communion with the holy one. From our origins as Christians, we have shared in the holiness of our God. We are called to live this original blessing that God has entrusted us. Each time we gather to celebrate our Sunday Mass, we move ever closer to the holy one through our conscious, active and fruitful participation.

‘Hear us, almighty God, and, having instilled in your servants the teachings of the Christian faith, graciously purify them by the working of this sacrifice.’

—prayer over the offerings

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