Sundays of Lent
First Sunday of Lent
- Rite of Election is normally celebrated
if celebrated within Mass the Ritual Mass is used.
Otherwise Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is used. - Mass may begin with a Penitential Procession - see Celebrating Paschal Feasts.
- Celebrating the Paschal Feasts
- Colour
- Purple
- Mass
- proper
- Gloria omitted
- Creed
- Preface of First Sunday of Lent
or Preface of Lent I-II - Office
- Psalter Week I
| Year A | ||
| Reading 1 | Gen 2:7-9; 3:1-7 | The creation and sin of our first parents. |
| Psalm | Ps 50:3-6, 12-14 17 r. 3 | Have mercy on us, O Lord, for we have sinned. |
| Reading 2 | Rom 5:12-19 | However great the number of sins committed, grace was even greater. |
| shorter | Rom 5:12. 17-19 | However great the number of sins committed, grace was even greater. |
| Gospel Acclamation | Matt 4:4 | Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. |
| Gospel | Matt 4:1-11 | Jesus fasts for forty days and is tempted. |
| Year B | ||
| Reading 1 | Gen 9:8-15 | God's covenant with Noah after he had saved him from the waters of the flood. |
| Psalm | Ps 24:4-9 r. 10 | Your ways, Lord, are faithfulness and love for those who keep your covenant. |
| Reading 2 | 1 Pet 3:18-22 | That water is a type of baptism which saves you now. |
| Gospel Acclamation | Matt 4:4 | Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. |
| Gospel | Mark 1:12-15 | Jesus was tempted by Satan, and the angels looked after him. |
| Year C | ||
| Reading 1 | Deut 26:4-10 | The creed of the chosen people. |
| Psalm | Ps 90:1-2, 10-15 r. 15 | Be with me, O Lord, in my distress. |
| Reading 2 | Rom 10:8-13 | The creed of the Christian. |
| Gospel Acclamation | Matt 4:4 | Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. |
| Gospel | Luke 4:1-13 | Jesus was led by the Spirit through the wilderness and was tempted there. |
Second Sunday of Lent
- Colour
- Purple
- Mass
- proper
- Gloria omitted
- Creed
- Preface of Second Sunday of Lent
or Preface of Lent I-II - Office
- Psalter Week II
| Year A | ||
| Reading 1 | Gen 12:1-4 | The call of Abraham, father of the People of God |
| Psalm | Ps 32:4-5, 18-20. 22 r. 22 | May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hope in you. |
| Reading 2 | 2 Tim 1:8-10 | God calls and enlightens us. |
| Gospel Acclamation | Matt 17:5 | From the bright cloud the Father's voice was heard: 'This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him.' |
| Gospel | Matt 17:1-9 | His face shone like the sun. |
| Year B | ||
| Reading 1 | Gen 22:1-2, 9-13, 15-18 | The sacrifice of Abraham, our father in faith. |
| Psalm | Ps 115:10. 15-19 r. Ps 114:9 | I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living. |
| Reading 2 | Rom 8:31-34 | God did not spare his own Son. |
| Gospel Acclamation | Matt 17:5 | From the bright cloud the Father's voice was heard: 'This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him.' |
| Gospel | Mark 9:2-10 | This is my Son, the Beloved. |
| Year C | ||
| Reading 1 | Gen 15:5-12, 17-18 | God enters into a Covenant with Abraham, the man of faith. |
| Psalm | Ps 26:1. 7-9, 13-14 r. 1 | The Lord is my light and my help. |
| Reading 2 | Phil 3:17–4:1 or | Christ will transfigure our bodies into copies of his glorious body. |
| shorter | Phil 3:20–4:1 | Christ will transfigure our bodies into copies of his glorious body. |
| Gospel Acclamation | Matt 17:5 | From the bright cloud the Father's voice was heard: 'This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him.' |
| Gospel | Luke 9:28-36 | As Jesus prayed, the aspect of his face was changed. |
Third Sunday of Lent
- RCIA: First Scrutiny
- The Readings for Year A may be used in any year
and must be used when the Scrutiny is celebrated.
- Colour
- Purple
- Mass
- proper
- Gloria omitted
- Creed
- Preface of Third Sunday of Lent (When Year A readings are used)
or Preface of Lent I-II - Office
- Psalter Week III
| Year A | ||
| Reading 1 | Exod 17:3-7 | Give us water to drink. |
| Psalm | Ps 94:1-2, 6-9 | O that today you would listen to his voice: 'Harden not your hearts.' |
| Reading 2 | Rom 5:1-2, 5-8 | The love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given us. |
| Gospel Acclamation | John 4:42. 15 | Lord, you are really the saviour of the world; give me living water, so that I may never get thirsty. |
| Gospel | John 4:5-42 | A spring of water welling up to eternal life. |
| shorter | John 4:5-15, 19-26, 39-42 | A spring of water welling up to eternal life. |
| Year B | ||
| Reading 1 | Exod 20:1-17 | The Law was given through Moses. |
| shorter | Exod 20:1-3, 7-8, 12-17 | The Law was given through Moses. |
| Psalm | Ps 18:8-11 r. Jn 6:68 | You, Lord, have the message of eternal life. |
| Reading 2 | 1 Cor 1:22-25 | Here we are preaching a crucified Christ, an obstacle to men, but to those who are called, the wisdom of God. |
| Gospel Acclamation | John 11: 25-26 | I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord, whoever believes in me will never die. |
| John 3: 16 | God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son; everyone who belives in him has eternal life. |
|
| Gospel | John 2:13-25 | Destroy this sanctuary, and in three day I will raise it up. |
| Year C | ||
| Reading 1 | Exod 3:1-8, 13-15 | I Am has sent me to you. |
| Psalm | Ps 102:1-4, 6-8, 11 r. 8 | The Lord is compassion and love. |
| Reading 2 | 1 Cor 10:1-6, 10-12 | The life of the people under Moses in the desert was written down to be a lesson for us. |
| Gospel Acclamation | Matt 4: 17 | Repent, says the Lord, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. |
| Gospel | Luke 13:1-9 | Unless you repent you will all perish as they did. |
Fourth Sunday of Lent
- RCIA: Second Scrutiny
- The Readings for Year A may be used in any year
and must be used when the Scrutiny is celebrated. - Celebrating Paschal Feasts
- Colour
- Purple (or Rose)
- Mass
- proper
- Gloria omitted
- Creed
- Preface of Fourth Sunday of Lent (When Year A readings are used)
or Preface of Lent I-II - Office
- Psalter Week IV
| Year A | ||
| Reading 1 | 1 Sam 16:1, 6-7, 10-13 | David is anointed king of Israel. |
| Psalm | Ps 22 r. 1 | The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. |
| Reading 2 | Eph 5:8-14 | Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you, |
| Gospel Acclamation | John 8: 12 | I am the light of the world, says the Lord; anyone who believes in me will have the light of life. |
| Gospel | John 9:1-41 | He went off and washed himself, and came away with his sight restored. |
| shorter | John 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38 | He went off and washed himself, and came away with his sight restored. |
| Year B | ||
| Reading 1 | 2Chr 36:14-16, 19-23 | The wrath and mercy of God are revealed in the exile and in the release of his people. |
| Psalm | Ps 136 r. 6 | O let my tongue cleave to my mouth if I remember you not! |
| Reading 2 | Eph 2:4-10 | You who were dead through your sins have been saved through grace. |
| Gospel Acclamation | John 3: 16 | God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son; everyone who belives in him has eternal life. |
| Gospel | John 3:14-21 | God sent his Son so that through him the world might be saved. |
| Year C | ||
| Reading 1 | Josh 5:9-12 | The People of God keep the Passover on their entry into the promised land. |
| Psalm | Ps 33:2-7 r. 9 | Taste and see that the Lord is good. |
| Reading 2 | 2 Cor 5:17-21 | God reconciled us to himself through Christ. |
| Gospel Acclamation | Luke 15: 18 | I will leave this place and go to my father and say: 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.' |
| Gospel | Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 | Your brother here was dead and has come to life. |
Fifth Sunday of Lent
- RCIA: Third Scrutiny
- The Readings for Year A may be used in any year
and must be used when the Scrutiny is celebrated.
- Colour
- Purple (or Rose)
- Mass
- proper
- Gloria omitted
- Creed
- Preface of Fifth Sunday of Lent (When Year A readings are used)
or Preface of Lent I-II - Office
- Psalter Week I
| Year A | ||
| Reading 1 | Ezek 37:12-14 | I shall put my spirit in you, and you will live. |
| Psalm | Ps 129 r. 7 | With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption. |
| Reading 2 | Rom 8:8-11 | The Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you. |
| Gospel Acclamation | John 11: 25-26 | I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord, whoever believes in me will never die. |
| Gospel | John 11:1-45 | I am the resurrection and the life. |
| shorter | John 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33-45 | I am the resurrection and the life. |
| Year B | ||
| Reading 1 | Jer 31:31-34 | I will make a new covenant and never call their sin to mind. |
| Psalm | Ps 50:3-4, 12-15 r. 12 | A pure heart create for me, O God. |
| Reading 2 | Heb 5:7-9 | He learnt to obey and became for all the source of eternal salvation. |
| Gospel Acclamation | John 12: 26 | If a man serves me, says the Lord, he must follow me; wherever I am my servant will be there too. |
| Gospel | John 12:20-33 | If a grain of wheat falls on the ground and dies, it yields a rich harvest. |
| Year C | ||
| Reading 1 | Isa 43:16-21 | See, I am doing a new deed, and I will give my chosen people drink. |
| Psalm | Ps 125 r.3 | What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad. |
| Reading 2 | Phil 3:8-14 | Reproducing the pattern of his death, I have accepted the loss of everything for Christ. |
| Gospel Acclamation | Amos 5: 14 |
Seek good and not evil so that you may live, and that the Lord God of hosts may really be with you. |
| Joel 2: 12–13 | Now, now – it is the Lord who speaks – come back to me with all your heart, for I am all tenderness and compassion. |
|
| Gospel | John 8:1-11 | If there is one among you who has not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at her. |
Passion Sunday
(Palm Sunday)
- Sixth Sunday of Lent
- Celebrating Paschal Feasts
- Directory on Popular Piety
- Colour
- Red
- Commemoration of the Lord's Entrance into Jerusalem
- The Procession
- The Solemn Entrance
- The Simple Entrance
- Mass
- Proper
- No Penitential Rite after Procession or Solemn Entrance
- Gloria omitted
- Creed
- Preface of Passion (Palm) Sunday of Lent
- Office
- Psalter Week II
| Procession | ||
| Gospel: Year A | Matt 21:1-11 | Blessing on him who comes in the name of the Lord! |
| Year B | Mark 11:1-10 | Blessing on him who comes in the name of the Lord! |
| Year B: alternative | John 12:12-16 | Blessing on him who comes in the name of the Lord! |
| Year C | Luke 19:28-40 | Blessing on him who comes in the name of the Lord! |
| Mass | ||
| Reading 1 | Isa 50:4-7 | I did not cover my face against insult–I know I shall not be shamed. |
| Psalm | Ps 21:8-9, 17-20, 23-24 r. 2 | My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? |
| Reading 2 | Phil 2:6-11 | He humbled himself, but God raised him high |
| Gospel Acclamation | Phil 2:8-9 | Christ was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross. But God raised him high and gave him the name which is above all names. |
| Gospel: Year A | Matt 26:14–27:66 | The passion of our Lord Jesus Christ |
| shorter | Matt 27:11-54 | The passion of our Lord Jesus Christ |
| Year B | Mark 14:1–15:47 | The passion of our Lord Jesus Christ |
| shorter | Mark 15:1-39 | The passion of our Lord Jesus Christ |
| Year C | Luke 22:14–23:56 | The passion of our Lord Jesus Christ |
| shorter | Luke 23:1-49 | The passion of our Lord Jesus Christ |
Chrism Mass
- Morning of Holy Thursday
The celebration may be transferred to earlier in the week for pastoral reasons. - Celebrating the Paschal Feasts
- Colour
- White
- Mass
- Proper
- Gloria
- Renewal of Commitment to Priestly Service
- Creed & Intercessions omitted
- Blessing of Oils & Consecration of the Chrism
- Preface of the Priesthood (Chrism Mass)
| Reading 1 | Isa 61:1-3. 6. 8-9 | The Lord has anointed me and has sent me to bring Good News to the poor, to give them the oil of gladness, |
| Psalm | Ps 88: 21-22. 25. 27 r. 2 | I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord. |
| Reading 2 | Apoc 1:5-8 | He has made us a line of kings, priest to serve his God and Father. |
| Gospel Acclamation | Isa 61: 1 | The spirit of the Lord has been given to me; he has sent me to bring the good news to the poor. |
| Gospel | Luke 4:16-21 | The spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for he has anointed me. |
Common Responsorial Psalms
| Lent | ||
| Common response | Remember, O Lord, your faithfulness and love. | |
| Common Psalm 1 | Ps 50:3–6. 12-14. 17 r.cf. 3 | Have mercy on us, Lord, for we have sinned. |
| Common Psalm 2 | Ps 90:1-2. 10-15 r. cf. 15 | Be with me, Lord, in my distress. |
| Common Psalm 3 | Ps 129:1-8 r. 7 | With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption. |
| Holy Week | ||
| Common Psalm | Ps 21:8-9. 17-20. 23-24 r. 2 | My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? |