Sundays of Easter
Easter Sunday
- The Easter Season begins on Easter Sunday.
- Details for Easter Sunday can be found on the Triduum page.
- The weekdays of the Easter Octave are celebrated as Solemnities.
Second Sunday of Easter
Divine Mercy Sunday
- After the title "Second Sunday of Easter", there shall henceforth be added the appellation "(or Divine Mercy Sunday"), and has prescribed that the texts assigned for that day in the same Missal and the Liturgy of the Hours of the Roman Rite are always to be used for the liturgical celebration of this Sunday. (Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 5 May 2000)
- Colour
- White
- Mass
- proper
- Gloria
- Creed
- Preface of Easter I
- Office
- EPI: proper inserts
- EPI, MP, EPII: proper; hymn, antiphon, psalms and canticle as on Easter Sunday.
| Year A | ||
| Reading 1 | Acts 2:42-47 | The faithful all lived together and owned everything in common. |
| Psalm | Ps 117:2-4, 13-15, 22-24 r.1 | Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end or Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! |
| Reading 2 | 1 Pet 1:3-9 | In his great mercy he has given us a new birth as his sons by raising Jesus from the dead. |
| Gospel Acclamation | John 20:29 | Jesus said: 'You believe because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.' |
| Gospel | John 20:19-31 | Eight days later, Jesus came. |
| Year B | ||
| Reading 1 | Acts 4:32-35 | United, heart and soul |
| Psalm | Ps 117:2-4, 13-15, 22-24 r.1 | Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end or Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! |
| Reading 2 | 1 John 5:1-6 | Anyone who has been begotten by God has already overcome the world. |
| Gospel Acclamation | John 20:29 | Jesus said: 'You believe because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.' |
| Gospel | John 20:19-31 | Eight days later, Jesus came. |
| Year C | ||
| Reading 1 | Acts 5:12-16 | The numbers of men and women who came to believe in the Lord steadily increased. |
| Psalm | Ps 117:2-4, 13-15, 22-24 r.1 | Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end or Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! |
| Reading 2 | Apoc 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19 | I was dead and now I am to live for ever and ever. |
| Gospel Acclamation | John 20:29 | Jesus said: 'You believe because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.' |
| Gospel | John 20:19-31 | Eight days later, Jesus came. |
Third Sunday of Easter
- Colour
- White
- Mass
- proper
- Gloria
- Creed
- Preface of Easter II–V
- Office
- Psalter Week 3
| Year A | ||
| Reading 1 | Acts 2:14, 22-33 | It was impossible for him to be held in the power of Hades. |
| Psalm | Ps 16:1-2. 5, 7-11 r. 11 | Show us, Lord, the path of life. or Alleluia! |
| Reading 2 | 1 Pet 1:17-21 | Your ransom was paid in the precious blood of a lamb without spot or stain, namely, Christ. |
| Gospel Acclamation | Luke 24:32 | Lord Jesus, explain the scriptures to us. Make our hearts burn within us as you talk to us. |
| Gospel | Luke 24:13-35 | They recognised him at the breaking of bread. |
| Year B | ||
| Reading 1 | Acts 3:13-15, 17-19 | You killed the prince of life. God, however, raised him from the dead. |
| Psalm | Ps 4:2, 4, 7, 9 r. 7 | Lift up the light of your face on us, O Lord or Alleluia! |
| Reading 2 | 1 John 2:1-5a | He is the sacrifice that takes our sins away, and not only ours, but the whole world's. |
| Gospel Acclamation | Luke 24:32 | Lord Jesus, explain the scriptures to us. Make our hearts burn within us as you talk to us. |
| Gospel | Luke 24:35-48 | So you see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead. |
| Year C | ||
| Reading 1 | Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41 | We are witnesses of all this, we and the Holy Spirit. |
| Psalm | Ps 29:2, 4-6, 11-13 r. 2 | I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me. or Alleluia! |
| Reading 2 | Apoc 5:11-14 | The Lamb that was sacrificed is worthy to be given riches and power/ |
| Gospel Acclamation | Luke 24:32 | Lord Jesus, explain the scriptures to us. Make our hearts burn within us as you talk to us. |
| Christ has risen: he who created all things, and has granted his mercy to men. |
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| Gospel | John 21:1-19 | Jesus stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish. |
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shorter
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John 21:1-14 | Jesus stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish. |
Fourth Sunday of Easter
- Cycle of Prayer — World Day of Prayer for Vocations
- Colour
- White
- Mass
- proper
- Gloria
- Creed
- Preface of Easter II–V
- Office
- Psalter Week 4
| Year A | ||
| Reading 1 | Acts 2:14a, 36-41 | God made him both Lord and Christ |
| Psalm | Ps 22:1-6 r. 1 | The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. or Alleluia! |
| Reading 2 | 1 Pet 2:20b-25 | You have come back to the shepherd of souls. |
| Gospel Acclamation | John 10:14 | I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my own sheep and my own know me. |
| Gospel | John 10:1-10 | I am the gate of the sheepfold. |
| Year B | ||
| Reading 1 | Acts 4:8-12 | This is the only name by which we can be saved. |
| Psalm | Ps 117:1.8-9, 21-23, 26.28-29 | The stone which the builders rejected has become the corner stone. or Alleluia! |
| Reading 2 | 1 John 3:1-2 | We shall see God as he really is. |
| Gospel Acclamation | John 10:14 | I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my own sheep and my own know me. |
| Gospel | John 10:11-18 | The good shepherd is one who lays down his life for his sheep. |
| Year C | ||
| Reading 1 | Acts 13:14, 43-52 | We must turn to the pagans. |
| Psalm | Ps 99:1-3, 5 r. 3 | We are his people, the sheep of his flock. or Alleluia! |
| Reading 2 | Apoc 7:9, 14b-17 | The Lamb will be their shepherd and will lead them to springs of living water. |
| Gospel Acclamation | John 10:14 | I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my own sheep and my own know me. |
| Gospel | John 10:27-30 | I give eternal life to the sheep that belong to me. |
Fifth Sunday of Easter
- Colour
- White
- Mass
- proper
- Gloria
- Creed
- Preface of Easter II–V
- Office
- Psalter Week I
| Year A | ||
| Reading 1 | Acts 6:1-7 | They elected seven men full of the Holy Spirit. |
| Psalm | Ps 32:1-2, 4-5, 18-19 r. 22 | May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hope in you. or Alleluia! |
| Reading 2 | 1 Pet 2:4-9 | But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood. |
| Gospel Acclamation | John 14:6 | Jesus said: 'I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the father except through me. |
| Gospel | John 14:1-12 | I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. |
| Year B | ||
| Reading 1 | Acts 9:26-31 | Barnabas explained how the Lord had appeared to Saul on his journey. |
| Psalm | Ps 21:26-28, 30-32 r. 26 | You, Lord, are my praise in the great assembly. or Alleluia! |
| Reading 2 | 1 John 3:18-24 | His commandments are these: that we believe in his Son and that we love one another. |
| Gospel Acclamation | John 15:4-5 | Make your home in me, as I make mine in you. Whoever remains in me bears fruit in plenty. |
| Gospel | John 15:1-8 | Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty. |
| Year C | ||
| Reading 1 | Acts 14:21-27 | They gave an account to the church of all that God had done with them. |
| Psalm | Ps 144:8-9, 10-11, 12-13 | I will bless your name for ever, O God my King. or Alleluia! |
| Reading 2 | Apoc 21:1-5a | God will wipe away all tears from their eyes. |
| Gospel Acclamation | John 13: 34 | Jesus said: 'I give you a new commandment: love one another, just as I have loved you.' |
| Gospel | John 13:31-35 | I give you a new commandment: love one another. |
Sixth Sunday of Easter
- Colour
- White
- Mass
- proper
- Gloria
- Creed
- Preface of Easter II–V
- Office
- Psalter Week 2
| Year A | ||
| Reading 1 | Acts 8:5-8, 14-17 | They laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. |
| Psalm | Ps 65:1-7, 16. 20 r. 1 | Cry out with joy to God all the earth. or Alleluia! |
| Reading 2 | 1 Pet 3:15-18 | In the body he was put to death, in the spirit he was raised to life. |
| Gospel Acclamation | John 14:23 | Jesus said: 'If anyone loves me he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him. |
| Gospel | John 14:15-21 | I shall ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate. |
| Year B | ||
| Reading 1 | Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48 | The Holy Spirit has been poured out on the pagans too. |
| Psalm | Ps 97:1-4 r. 2 | The Lord has shown his salvation to the nations. or Alleluia! |
| Reading 2 | 1 John 4:7-10 | God is love. |
| Gospel Acclamation | John 14:23 | Jesus said: 'If anyone loves me he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him. |
| Gospel | John 15:9-17 | A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. |
| Year C | ||
| Reading 1 | Acts 15:1-2, 22-29 | It has been decided by the Holy Spirit and by ourselves not to saddle you with any burden beyond these essentials. |
| Psalm | Ps 66:2-3, 5-6. 8 r.4 | Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. or Alleluia! |
| Reading 2 | Apoc 21:10-14, 22-23 | He showed me the holy city coming down from heaven. |
| Gospel Acclamation | John 14:23 | Jesus said: 'If anyone loves me he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him. |
| Gospel | John 14:23-29 | The Holy Spirit will remind you of all I have said to you. |
The Ascension of the Lord
Solemnity
- The Ascension is celebrated on the Thursday following the Sixth Sunday of Easter.
- In England and Wales (from 2018) the Ascension of the Lord is a Holyday of Obligation.
- Colour
- White
- Vigil Mass
- texts for the Vigil Mass have been provided in the Missale Romanum 3rd edition. These are not yet available in English.
- Mass
- proper
- Gloria
- Creed
- Preface of the Ascension I–II
- EPI: proper inserts
- Office
- EPI: proper
- MP: proper, Sunday week I
- EPII: proper
| Year A | ||
| Reading 1 | Acts 1:1-11 | He was lifted up while they looked on. |
| Psalm | Ps 46:2-3, 6-9 r. 6 | God goes up with shouts of joy; the Lord goes up with trumpet blast. or Alleluia! |
| Reading 2 | Eph 1:17-23 | He made him sit at his right hand in heaven. |
| Gospel Acclamation | Matt 28:19.20 | Go, make disciples of all the nations; I am with you always; yes, to the end of time. |
| Gospel | Matt 28:16-20 | All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. |
| Year B | ||
| Reading 1 | Acts 1:1-11 | He was lifted up while they looked on. |
| Psalm | Ps 46:2-3, 6-9 r. 6 | God goes up with shouts of joy; the Lord goes up with trumpet blast. or Alleluia! |
| Reading 2 | Eph 1:17-23 | He made him sit at his right hand in heaven. |
| Year B optional | Eph 4:1-13 | Fully mature with the fullness of Christ. |
| optional (shorter) | Eph 4:1-7, 11-13 | Fully mature with the fullness of Christ. |
| Gospel Acclamation | Matt 28:19.20 | Go, make disciples of all the nations; I am with you always; yes, to the end of time. |
| Gospel | Mark 16:15-20 | He was taken up into heaven: there at the right hand of God he took his place. |
| Year C | ||
| Reading 1 | Acts 1:1-11 | He was lifted up while they looked on. |
| Psalm | Ps 46:2-3, 6-9 r. 6 | God goes up with shouts of joy; the Lord goes up with trumpet blast. or Alleluia! |
| Reading 2 | Eph 1:17-23 | He made him sit at his right hand in heaven. |
| Year C optional | Heb 9:24-28; 10:19-23 | Christ entered into heaven itself. |
| Gospel Acclamation | Matt 28:19.20 | Go, make disciples of all the nations; I am with you always; yes, to the end of time. |
| Gospel | Luke 24:46-53 | As he blessed them he carried up to heaven. |
Seventh Sunday of Easter
- Cycle of Prayer — World Communications day
- Colour
- White
- Mass
- proper
- Gloria
- Creed
- Preface of the Ascension I–II
- Office
- Psalter Week 3
| Year A | ||
| Reading 1 | Acts 1:12-14 | All joined in continuous prayer. |
| Psalm | Ps 26:1, 4, 7-8 r. 13 | I am sure I shall see the Lord's goodness in the land of the living. or Alleluia! |
| Reading 2 | 1 Pet 4:13-16 | It is a blessing for you when they insult you for bearing the name of Christ. |
| Gospel Acclamation | John 14:18 | I will not leave you orphans, says the Lord; I will come back to you, and you hearts will be full of joy. |
| Gospel | John 17:1-11 | Father, glorify your Son. |
| Year B | ||
| Reading 1 | Acts 1:15-17, 20-26 | We must choose one of these to be a witness to his resurrection with us. |
| Psalm | Ps 102:1-2, 11-12, 19-20 r.19 | The Lord has set his sway in heaven. or Alleluia! |
| Reading 2 | 1 John 4:11-16 | Anyone who lives in love lives in God, and God lives in him. |
| Gospel Acclamation | John 14:18 | I will not leave you orphans, says the Lord; I will come back to you, and you hearts will be full of joy. |
| Gospel | John 17:11-19 | That they may be one like us! |
| Year C | ||
| Reading 1 | Acts 7:55-60 | I can see the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. |
| Psalm | Ps 96:1-2, 6-7, 9 r.1.9 | The Lord is king, most high above all the earth. or Alleluia! |
| Reading 2 | Apoc 22:12-14, 16-17, 20 | Come, Lord Jesus! |
| Gospel Acclamation | John 14:18 | I will not leave you orphans, says the Lord; I will come back to you, and you hearts will be full of joy. |
| Gospel | John 17:20-26 | May they be completely one. |
Pentecost Sunday
- At the end of Easter Season, the Easter Candle should be kept in the baptistery with due honour. During the celebration of baptism, the candles of the newly baptised are lighted from it. The Easter Candle may also be used in funeral Masses.
- The 3rd edition of the Roman Missal provides two texts for the Vigil Mass of Pentecost: the Extended form, with a series of Old Testament readings and psalms, the Simple Form, where there is just one Old Testament reading
- Celebrating the Paschal Feasts
- Directory on Popular Piety
- Colour
- Red
- Mass
- proper
- Gloria
- Creed
- Preface of Pentecost
- EPI: proper inserts
- Office
- EPI: proper
- MP: proper, Sunday week I
- EPII: proper
| Vigil Mass: Extended Form | ||
| Reading 1 | Gen 11:1-9 | It was named Babel because there the language of the whole earth was confused. |
| Psalm | Psalm 32: 10-11, 12-13, 14-15 r. v. 12b | Happy the people the Lord has chosen as his own. |
| Reading 2 | Exod 19:3-8, 16-20 | The Lord came down on the mountain of Sinai before all the people, |
| Psalm | Daniel: 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56, r. v. 52b | To you glory and praise for evermore. |
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or
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Psalm 18: 8, 9. 10. 11; r. v. 6:68c | You have the message of eternal life, O Lord. |
| Reading 3 | Ezek 37:1-14 | Dry bones, I am going to make the breath enter you, and you will live. |
| Psalm | Psalm 106: 2-3, 4-5, 6–7, 8–9; r. v. 1 | O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his love has no end. or Alleluia! |
| Reading 4 | Joel 3:1-5 | I will pour out my spirit on all my people. |
| Psalm | Ps 103:1-2a, 24, 35c, 27–28, 29bc-30; r. 30 | Send forth your Spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth. or Alleluia! |
| Epistle | Rom 8:22-27 | The Spirit himself expresses our plea in a way that could never be put into words. |
| Gospel Acclamation | Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. |
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| Gospel | John 7:37-39 | From his breast shall flow fountains of living water |
| Vigil Mass: Simple Form | ||
| Reading 1 | Gen 11:1-9 | It was named Babel because there the language of the whole earth was confused. |
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or
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Exod 19:3-8, 16-20 | The Lord came down on the mountain of Sinai before all the people, |
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or
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Ezek 37:1-14 | Dry bones, I am going to make the breath enter you, and you will live. |
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or
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Joel 3:1-5 | I will pour out my spirit on all my people. |
| Psalm | Ps 103:1-2, 24, 27-30, 35 r. 30 | Send forth your Spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth. or Alleluia! |
| Reading 2 | Rom 8:22-27 | The Spirit himself expresses our plea in a way that could never be put into words. |
| Gospel Acclamation | Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. |
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| Gospel | John 7:37-39 | From his breast shall flow fountains of living water |
| Mass during the day | ||
| Reading 1 | Acts 2:1-11 | They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak. |
| Psalm | Ps 103: 1. 24. 29-31. 34 r. 30 | Send forth your Spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth. or Alleluia! |
| Reading 2 | 1 Cor 12:3-7, 12-13 | In the one Spirit we were all baptised. |
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Year B optional
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Gal 5:16-25 | The fruit of the Spirit. |
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Year C optional
|
Rom 8:8-17 | Everyone moved by the Spirit is a son of God. |
| Sequence | Veni Sancte Spiritus Holy Spirit, Lord of light |
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| Gospel Acclamation | Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. |
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| Gospel | John 20:19-23 | As the Father sent me, so am I sending you: receive the Holy Spirit. |
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Year B optional
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John 15:26-27; 16:12-15 | The Spirit of truth will lead you to the complete truth. |
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Year C optional
|
John 14:14-16, 23b-26 | The Holy Spirit will teach you everything. |
Common Responsorial Psalms
| Common response | Alleluia! (repeated two or three times) | |
| Easter Vigil | ||
| Common Psalm 1 | Ps 135:1-3. 4-6.7-9. 24-26 | Great is his love, love without end. |
| Common Psalm 2 | Ps 135: 1. 3. 16-21 | Great is his love, love without end. |
| Season of Easter | ||
| Common Psalm 1 | Ps 117: 1-2. 16-17.22-23 r. 24 | This day was made by the Lord; we rejoice and are glad. or Alleluia! |
| Common Psalm 2 | Ps 65: 1-7. 16.20 r.1 | Cry out with joy to God all the earth, alleuia! |
| Ascension | ||
| Common Psalm | Ps 46: 2-3. 6-9 r. 6 | God goes up with shouts of joy. |
| Pentecost Day | ||
| Common Psalm | Ps 103: 1. 24.29-31 .34 r. cf.30 | Send forth your spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth. |