Sundays | Easter

Easter Sunday

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 1Acts 2:42-47The faithful all lived together and owned everything in common.
PsalmPs 117:2-4, 13-15, 22-24 r.1Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end
or Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Reading 21 Pet 1:3-9In his great mercy he has given us a new birth as his sons by raising Jesus from the dead.
Gospel AcclamationJohn 20:29Jesus said: ‘You believe because you can see me.
Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’
GospelJohn 20:19-31Eight days later, Jesus came.
Year B
Reading 1Acts 4:32-35United, heart and soul
PsalmPs 117:2-4, 13-15, 22-24 r.1Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end
or Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Reading 21 John 5:1-6Anyone who has been begotten by God has already overcome the world.
Gospel AcclamationJohn 20:29Jesus said: ‘You believe because you can see me.
Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’
GospelJohn 20:19-31Eight days later, Jesus came.
Year C
Reading 1Acts 5:12-16The numbers of men and women who came to believe in the Lord steadily increased.
PsalmPs 117:2-4, 13-15, 22-24 r.1Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end
or Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Reading 2Apoc 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19I was dead and now I am to live for ever and ever.
Gospel AcclamationJohn 20:29Jesus said: ‘You believe because you can see me.
Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’
GospelJohn 20:19-31Eight 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 1Acts 2:14, 22-33It was impossible for him to be held in the power of Hades.
PsalmPs 16:1-2. 5, 7-11 r. 11Show us, Lord, the path of life.
or Alleluia!
Reading 21 Pet 1:17-21Your ransom was paid in the precious blood of a lamb without spot or stain, namely, Christ.
Gospel AcclamationLuke 24:32Lord Jesus, explain the scriptures to us.
Make our hearts burn within us as you talk to us.
GospelLuke 24:13-35They recognised him at the breaking of bread.
Year B
Reading 1Acts 3:13-15, 17-19You killed the prince of life. God, however, raised him from the dead.
PsalmPs 4:2, 4, 7, 9 r. 7Lift up the light of your face on us, O Lord
or Alleluia!
Reading 21 John 2:1-5aHe is the sacrifice that takes our sins away, and not only ours, but the whole world’s.
Gospel AcclamationLuke 24:32Lord Jesus, explain the scriptures to us.
Make our hearts burn within us as you talk to us.
GospelLuke 24:35-48So you see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead.
Year C
Reading 1Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41We are witnesses of all this, we and the Holy Spirit.
PsalmPs 29:2, 4-6, 11-13 r. 2I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me.
or Alleluia!
Reading 2Apoc 5:11-14The Lamb that was sacrificed is worthy to be given riches and power/
Gospel AcclamationLuke 24:32Lord 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.
GospelJohn 21:1-19Jesus stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish.

shorter

John 21:1-14Jesus stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish.

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Colour
White
Mass
proper
Gloria
Creed
Preface of Easter II–V
Office
Psalter Week 4
Year A
Reading 1Acts 2:14a, 36-41God made him both Lord and Christ
PsalmPs 22:1-6 r. 1The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or Alleluia!
Reading 21 Pet 2:20b-25You have come back to the shepherd of souls.
Gospel AcclamationJohn 10:14I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;
I know my own sheep and my own know me.
GospelJohn 10:1-10I am the gate of the sheepfold.
Year B
Reading 1Acts 4:8-12This is the only name by which we can be saved.
PsalmPs 117:1.8-9, 21-23, 26.28-29The stone which the builders rejected has become the corner stone.
or Alleluia!
Reading 21 John 3:1-2We shall see God as he really is.
Gospel AcclamationJohn 10:14I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;
I know my own sheep and my own know me.
GospelJohn 10:11-18The good shepherd is one who lays down his life for his sheep.
Year C
Reading 1Acts 13:14, 43-52We must turn to the pagans.
PsalmPs 99:1-3, 5 r. 3We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
or Alleluia!
Reading 2Apoc 7:9, 14b-17The Lamb will be their shepherd and will lead them to springs of living water.
Gospel AcclamationJohn 10:14I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;
I know my own sheep and my own know me.
GospelJohn 10:27-30I 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 1Acts 6:1-7They elected seven men full of the Holy Spirit.
PsalmPs 32:1-2, 4-5, 18-19 r. 22May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hope in you.
or Alleluia!
Reading 21 Pet 2:4-9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood.
Gospel AcclamationJohn 14:6Jesus said: ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.
No one can come to the father except through me.
GospelJohn 14:1-12I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.
Year B
Reading 1Acts 9:26-31Barnabas explained how the Lord had appeared to Saul on his journey.
PsalmPs 21:26-28, 30-32 r. 26You, Lord, are my praise in the great assembly.
or Alleluia!
Reading 21 John 3:18-24His commandments are these: that we believe in his Son and that we love one another.
Gospel AcclamationJohn 15:4-5Make your home in me, as I make mine in you.
Whoever remains in me bears fruit in plenty.
GospelJohn 15:1-8Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty.
Year C
Reading 1Acts 14:21-27They gave an account to the church of all that God had done with them.
PsalmPs 144:8-9, 10-11, 12-13I will bless your name for ever, O God my King.
or Alleluia!
Reading 2Apoc 21:1-5aGod will wipe away all tears from their eyes.
Gospel AcclamationJohn 13: 34Jesus said: ‘I give you a new commandment:
love one another, just as I have loved you.’
GospelJohn 13:31-35I 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 1Acts 8:5-8, 14-17They laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
PsalmPs 65:1-7, 16. 20 r. 1Cry out with joy to God all the earth.
or Alleluia!
Reading 21 Pet 3:15-18In the body he was put to death, in the spirit he was raised to life.
Gospel AcclamationJohn 14:23Jesus said: ‘If anyone loves me he will keep my word,
and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him.
GospelJohn 14:15-21I shall ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate.
Year B
Reading 1Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48The Holy Spirit has been poured out on the pagans too.
PsalmPs 97:1-4 r. 2The Lord has shown his salvation to the nations.
or Alleluia!
Reading 21 John 4:7-10God is love.
Gospel AcclamationJohn 14:23Jesus said: ‘If anyone loves me he will keep my word,
and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him.
GospelJohn 15:9-17A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends.
Year C
Reading 1Acts 15:1-2, 22-29It has been decided by the Holy Spirit and by ourselves not to saddle you with any burden beyond these essentials.
PsalmPs 66:2-3, 5-6. 8 r.4Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
or Alleluia!
Reading 2Apoc 21:10-14, 22-23He showed me the holy city coming down from heaven.
Gospel AcclamationJohn 14:23Jesus said: ‘If anyone loves me he will keep my word,
and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him.
GospelJohn 14:23-29The 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 1Acts 1:1-11He was lifted up while they looked on.
PsalmPs 46:2-3, 6-9 r. 6God goes up with shouts of joy; the Lord goes up with trumpet blast.
or Alleluia!
Reading 2Eph 1:17-23He made him sit at his right hand in heaven.
Gospel AcclamationMatt 28:19.20Go, make disciples of all the nations;
I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.
GospelMatt 28:16-20All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Year B
Reading 1Acts 1:1-11He was lifted up while they looked on.
PsalmPs 46:2-3, 6-9 r. 6God goes up with shouts of joy; the Lord goes up with trumpet blast.
or Alleluia!
Reading 2Eph 1:17-23He made him sit at his right hand in heaven.
Year B optionalEph 4:1-13Fully mature with the fullness of Christ.
optional (shorter)Eph 4:1-7, 11-13Fully mature with the fullness of Christ.
Gospel AcclamationMatt 28:19.20Go, make disciples of all the nations;
I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.
GospelMark 16:15-20He was taken up into heaven: there at the right hand of God he took his place.
Year C
Reading 1Acts 1:1-11He was lifted up while they looked on.
PsalmPs 46:2-3, 6-9 r. 6God goes up with shouts of joy; the Lord goes up with trumpet blast.
or Alleluia!
Reading 2Eph 1:17-23He made him sit at his right hand in heaven.
Year C optionalHeb 9:24-28; 10:19-23Christ entered into heaven itself.
Gospel AcclamationMatt 28:19.20Go, make disciples of all the nations;
I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.
GospelLuke 24:46-53As 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 1Acts 1:12-14All joined in continuous prayer.
PsalmPs 26:1, 4, 7-8 r. 13I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living.
or Alleluia!
Reading 21 Pet 4:13-16It is a blessing for you when they insult you for bearing the name of Christ.
Gospel AcclamationJohn 14:18I will not leave you orphans, says the Lord;
I will come back to you, and you hearts will be full of joy.
GospelJohn 17:1-11Father, glorify your Son.
Year B
Reading 1Acts 1:15-17, 20-26We must choose one of these to be a witness to his resurrection with us.
PsalmPs 102:1-2, 11-12, 19-20 r.19The Lord has set his sway in heaven.
or Alleluia!
Reading 21 John 4:11-16Anyone who lives in love lives in God, and God lives in him.
Gospel AcclamationJohn 14:18I will not leave you orphans, says the Lord;
I will come back to you, and you hearts will be full of joy.
GospelJohn 17:11-19That they may be one like us!
Year C
Reading 1Acts 7:55-60I can see the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.
PsalmPs 96:1-2, 6-7, 9 r.1.9The Lord is king, most high above all the earth.
or Alleluia!
Reading 2Apoc 22:12-14, 16-17, 20Come, Lord Jesus!
Gospel AcclamationJohn 14:18I will not leave you orphans, says the Lord;
I will come back to you, and you hearts will be full of joy.
GospelJohn 17:20-26May 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 1Gen 11:1-9It was named Babel because there the language of the whole earth was confused.
PsalmPsalm 32: 10-11, 12-13, 14-15 r. v. 12bHappy the people the Lord has chosen as his own.
Reading 2Exod 19:3-8, 16-20The Lord came down on the mountain of Sinai before all the people,
PsalmDaniel: 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56, r. v. 52bTo you glory and praise for evermore.

or

Psalm 18: 8, 9. 10. 11; r. v. 6:68cYou have the message of eternal life, O Lord.
Reading 3Ezek 37:1-14Dry bones, I am going to make the breath enter you, and you will live.
PsalmPsalm 106: 2-3, 4-5, 6–7, 8–9; r. v. 1O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his love has no end.
or Alleluia!
Reading 4Joel 3:1-5I will pour out my spirit on all my people.
PsalmPs 103:1-2a, 24, 35c, 27–28, 29bc-30; r. 30Send forth your Spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth.
or Alleluia!
EpistleRom 8:22-27The Spirit himself expresses our plea in a way that could never be put into words.
Gospel AcclamationCome, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love.
GospelJohn 7:37-39From his breast shall flow fountains of living water
Vigil Mass: Simple Form
Reading 1Gen 11:1-9It was named Babel because there the language of the whole earth was confused.

or

Exod 19:3-8, 16-20The Lord came down on the mountain of Sinai before all the people,

or

Ezek 37:1-14Dry bones, I am going to make the breath enter you, and you will live.

or

Joel 3:1-5I will pour out my spirit on all my people.
PsalmPs 103:1-2, 24, 27-30, 35 r. 30Send forth your Spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth.
or Alleluia!
Reading 2Rom 8:22-27The Spirit himself expresses our plea in a way that could never be put into words.
Gospel AcclamationCome, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love.
GospelJohn 7:37-39From his breast shall flow fountains of living water
Mass during the day
Reading 1Acts 2:1-11They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak.
PsalmPs 103: 1. 24. 29-31. 34 r. 30Send forth your Spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth.
or Alleluia!
Reading 21 Cor 12:3-7, 12-13In the one Spirit we were all baptised.

Year B optional

Gal 5:16-25The fruit of the Spirit.

Year C optional

Rom 8:8-17Everyone moved by the Spirit is a son of God.
SequenceVeni Sancte Spiritus
Holy Spirit, Lord of light
Gospel AcclamationCome, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love.
GospelJohn 20:19-23As the Father sent me, so am I sending you: receive the Holy Spirit.

Year B optional

John 15:26-27; 16:12-15The Spirit of truth will lead you to the complete truth.

Year C optional

John 14:14-16, 23b-26The Holy Spirit will teach you everything.

Common Responsorial Psalms

Common responseAlleluia! (repeated two or three times)
Easter Vigil
Common Psalm 1Ps 135:1-3. 4-6.7-9. 24-26Great is his love, love without end.
Common Psalm 2Ps 135: 1. 3. 16-21Great is his love, love without end.
Season of Easter
Common Psalm 1Ps 117: 1-2. 16-17.22-23 r. 24This day was made by the Lord;
we rejoice and are glad.
or
Alleluia!
Common Psalm 2Ps 65: 1-7. 16.20 r.1Cry out with joy to God all the earth, alleuia!
Ascension
Common PsalmPs 46: 2-3. 6-9 r. 6God goes up with shouts of joy.
Pentecost Day
Common PsalmPs 103: 1. 24.29-31 .34 r. cf.30Send forth your spirit, O Lord,
and renew the face of the earth.