Sundays | 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 1Gen 2:7-9; 3:1-7The creation and sin of our first parents.
PsalmPs 50:3-6, 12-14 17 r. 3Have mercy on us, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Reading 2Rom 5:12-19However great the number of sins committed, grace was even greater.
shorterRom 5:12. 17-19However great the number of sins committed, grace was even greater.
Gospel AcclamationMatt 4:4Man does not live on bread alone
but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
GospelMatt 4:1-11Jesus fasts for forty days and is tempted.
Year B
Reading 1Gen 9:8-15God’s covenant with Noah after he had saved him from the waters of the flood.
PsalmPs 24:4-9 r. 10Your ways, Lord, are faithfulness and love
for those who keep your covenant.
Reading 21 Pet 3:18-22That water is a type of baptism which saves you now.
Gospel AcclamationMatt 4:4Man does not live on bread alone
but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
GospelMark 1:12-15Jesus was tempted by Satan, and the angels looked after him.
Year C
Reading 1Deut 26:4-10The creed of the chosen people.
PsalmPs 90:1-2, 10-15 r. 15Be with me, O Lord, in my distress.
Reading 2Rom 10:8-13The creed of the Christian.
Gospel AcclamationMatt 4:4Man does not live on bread alone
but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
GospelLuke 4:1-13Jesus 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 1Gen 12:1-4The call of Abraham, father of the People of God
PsalmPs 32:4-5, 18-20. 22 r. 22May your love be upon us, O Lord,
as we place all our hope in you.
Reading 22 Tim 1:8-10God calls and enlightens us.
Gospel AcclamationMatt 17:5From the bright cloud the Father’s voice was heard:
‘This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him.’
GospelMatt 17:1-9His face shone like the sun.
Year B
Reading 1Gen 22:1-2, 9-13, 15-18The sacrifice of Abraham, our father in faith.
PsalmPs 115:10. 15-19 r. Ps 114:9I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.
Reading 2Rom 8:31-34God did not spare his own Son.
Gospel AcclamationMatt 17:5From the bright cloud the Father’s voice was heard:
‘This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him.’
GospelMark 9:2-10This is my Son, the Beloved.
Year C
Reading 1Gen 15:5-12, 17-18God enters into a Covenant with Abraham, the man of faith.
PsalmPs 26:1. 7-9, 13-14 r. 1The Lord is my light and my help.
Reading 2Phil 3:17–4:1 orChrist will transfigure our bodies into copies of his glorious body.
shorterPhil 3:20–4:1Christ will transfigure our bodies into copies of his glorious body.
Gospel AcclamationMatt 17:5From the bright cloud the Father’s voice was heard:
‘This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him.’
GospelLuke 9:28-36As 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 1Exod 17:3-7Give us water to drink.
PsalmPs 94:1-2, 6-9O that today you would listen to his voice:
‘Harden not your hearts.’
Reading 2Rom 5:1-2, 5-8The love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given us.
Gospel AcclamationJohn 4:42. 15Lord, you are really the saviour of the world;
give me living water, so that I may never get thirsty.
GospelJohn 4:5-42A spring of water welling up to eternal life.
shorterJohn 4:5-15, 19-26, 39-42A spring of water welling up to eternal life.
Year Bmay be replaced by Year A readngs
Reading 1Exod 20:1-17The Law was given through Moses.
shorterExod 20:1-3, 7-8, 12-17The Law was given through Moses.
PsalmPs 18:8-11 r. Jn 6:68You, Lord, have the message of eternal life.
Reading 21 Cor 1:22-25Here we are preaching a crucified Christ, an obstacle to men, but to those who are called, the wisdom of God.
Gospel AcclamationJohn 11: 25-26I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord,
whoever believes in me will never die.
John 3: 16God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son;
everyone who belives in him has eternal life.
GospelJohn 2:13-25Destroy this sanctuary, and in three day I will raise it up.
Year Cmay be replaced by Year A readngs
Reading 1Exod 3:1-8, 13-15I Am has sent me to you.
PsalmPs 102:1-4, 6-8, 11 r. 8The Lord is compassion and love.
Reading 21 Cor 10:1-6, 10-12The life of the people under Moses in the desert was written down to be a lesson for us.
Gospel AcclamationMatt 4: 17Repent, says the Lord, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.
GospelLuke 13:1-9Unless 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 11 Sam 16:1, 6-7, 10-13David is anointed king of Israel.
PsalmPs 22 r. 1The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
Reading 2Eph 5:8-14Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you,
Gospel AcclamationJohn 8: 12I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
anyone who believes in me will have the light of life.
GospelJohn 9:1-41He went off and washed himself, and came away with his sight restored.
shorterJohn 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38He went off and washed himself, and came away with his sight restored.
Year Bmay be replaced by Year A readngs
Reading 12Chr 36:14-16, 19-23The wrath and mercy of God are revealed in the exile and in the release of his people.
PsalmPs 136 r. 6O let my tongue cleave to my mouth
if I remember you not!
Reading 2Eph 2:4-10You who were dead through your sins have been saved through grace.
Gospel AcclamationJohn 3: 16God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son;
everyone who belives in him has eternal life.
GospelJohn 3:14-21God sent his Son so that through him the world might be saved.
Year Cmay be replaced by Year A readngs
Reading 1Josh 5:9-12The People of God keep the Passover on their entry into the promised land.
PsalmPs 33:2-7 r. 9Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Reading 22 Cor 5:17-21God reconciled us to himself through Christ.
Gospel AcclamationLuke 15: 18I will leave this place and go to my father and say:
‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.’
GospelLuke 15:1-3, 11-32Your 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 1Ezek 37:12-14I shall put my spirit in you, and you will live.
PsalmPs 129 r. 7With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.
Reading 2Rom 8:8-11The Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you.
Gospel AcclamationJohn 11: 25-26I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord,
whoever believes in me will never die.
GospelJohn 11:1-45I am the resurrection and the life.
shorterJohn 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33-45I am the resurrection and the life.
Year Bmay be replaced by Year A readngs
Reading 1Jer 31:31-34I will make a new covenant and never call their sin to mind.
PsalmPs 50:3-4, 12-15 r. 12A pure heart create for me, O God.
Reading 2Heb 5:7-9He learnt to obey and became for all the source of eternal salvation.
Gospel AcclamationJohn 12: 26If a man serves me, says the Lord, he must follow me;
wherever I am my servant will be there too.
GospelJohn 12:20-33If a grain of wheat falls on the ground and dies, it yields a rich harvest.
Year Cmay be replaced by Year A readngs
Reading 1Isa 43:16-21See, I am doing a new deed, and I will give my chosen people drink.
PsalmPs 125 r.3What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad.
Reading 2Phil 3:8-14Reproducing the pattern of his death, I have accepted the loss of everything for Christ.
Gospel AcclamationAmos 5: 14Seek good and not evil so that you may live,
and that the Lord God of hosts may really be with you.
Joel 2: 12–13Now, now – it is the Lord who speaks
– come back to me with all your heart,
for I am all tenderness and compassion.
GospelJohn 8:1-11If there is one among you who has not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.

Passion Sunday
(Palm Sunday)

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 AMatt 21:1-11Blessing on him who comes in the name of the Lord!
Year BMark 11:1-10Blessing on him who comes in the name of the Lord!
Year B: alternativeJohn 12:12-16Blessing on him who comes in the name of the Lord!
Year CLuke 19:28-40Blessing on him who comes in the name of the Lord!
Mass
Reading 1Isa 50:4-7I did not cover my face against insult–I know I shall not be shamed.
PsalmPs 21:8-9, 17-20, 23-24 r. 2My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Reading 2Phil 2:6-11He humbled himself, but God raised him high
Gospel AcclamationPhil 2:8-9Christ 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 AMatt 26:14–27:66The passion of our Lord Jesus Christ
shorterMatt 27:11-54The passion of our Lord Jesus Christ
Year BMark 14:1–15:47The passion of our Lord Jesus Christ
shorterMark 15:1-39The passion of our Lord Jesus Christ
Year CLuke 22:14–23:56The passion of our Lord Jesus Christ
shorterLuke 23:1-49The passion of our Lord Jesus Christ

Chrism Mass

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 1Isa 61:1-3. 6. 8-9The Lord has anointed me and has sent me to bring Good News to the poor, to give them the oil of gladness,
PsalmPs 88: 21-22. 25. 27 r. 2I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.
Reading 2Apoc 1:5-8He has made us a line of kings, priest to serve his God and Father.
Gospel AcclamationIsa 61: 1The spirit of the Lord has been given to me; he has sent me to bring the good news to the poor.
GospelLuke 4:16-21The spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for he has anointed me.

Common Responsorial Psalms

Lent
Common responseRemember, O Lord, your faithfulness and love.
Common Psalm 1Ps 50:3–6. 12-14. 17 r.cf. 3Have mercy on us, Lord, for we have sinned.
Common Psalm 2Ps 90:1-2. 10-15 r. cf. 15Be with me, Lord, in my distress.
Common Psalm 3Ps 129:1-8 r. 7With the Lord there is mercy
and fullness of redemption.
Holy Week
Common PsalmPs 21:8-9. 17-20. 23-24 r. 2My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?