Sundays | Solemnities

This page contains Solemnities many of which can replace the Sunday

The Most Holy Trinity

Sunday after Pentecost

Colour
White
Mass
Mass Proper
Gloria
Creed
proper Preface of the Holy Trinity
Office
EPI: proper
MP: proper, Sunday week I
EPII: proper
Year A
Reading 1Exod 34:4-6, 8-9Lord, Lord, a God of tenderness and compassion.
PsalmDan 3:52-56 r. 52To you glory and praise for evermore.
Reading 22 Cor 13:11-13The grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
Gospel AcclamationApoc 1:8Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, the God who is, who was, and who is to come.
GospelJohn 3:16-18God sent his Son so that through him the world might be saved.
Year B
Reading 1Deut 4:32-34, 39-40The Lord is God indeed, in heaven above as on earth beneath, he and no other.
PsalmPs 32:4-6, 9, 18-20, 22 r. 12Happy the people the Lord has chosen as his own.
Reading 2Rom 8:14-17You received the spirit of sons, and it makes us cry out, ‘Abba, Father!’
Gospel AcclamationApoc 1:8Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, the God who is, who was, and who is to come.
GospelMatt 28:16-20Baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Year C
Reading 1Prov 8:22-31Before the earth came into being, Wisdom was born.
PsalmPs 8:4-5, 6-7, 8-9How great is your name, O Lord our God, through all the earth.
Reading 2Rom 5:1-5To God, through Christ, in the love poured out by the Spirit.
Gospel AcclamationApoc 1:8Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, the God who is, who was, and who is to come.
GospelJohn 16:12-15Everything the Father has is mine: all the Spirit tells you will be taken from what is mine.

The Most Holy Body & Blood of the Lord

Sunday after Trinity Sunday

Colour
White
Mass
Proper
Gloria
Creed
proper Preface of the Holy Eucharist I or II
Office
EPI: proper
MP: proper, Sunday week I
EPII: proper
Year A
Reading 1Deut 8:2-3, 14b-16aHe fed you with manna which neither you nor your fathers had known.
PsalmPs 147:12-15, 19-20 r. 12O praise the Lord, Jerusalem!
or Alleluia!
Reading 21 Cor 10:16-17That there is only one loaf means that, though there are many of us, we form a single body.
SequenceoptionalLauda Sion salvatorem.
Sing forth, O Zion, sweetly sing.
Gospel AcclamationJohn 6:51-52I am the living bread which has come down from heaven, says the Lord. Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever.
GospelJohn 6:51-58My flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.
Year B
Reading 1Exod 24:3-8This is the blood of the Covenant that the Lord has made with you.
PsalmPs 115:12-13, 15-18 r.13The cup of salvation I will raise; I will call on the Lord’s name.
or Alleluia!
Reading 2Heb 9:11-15The blood of Christ can purify our inner self from dead actions/
SequenceoptionalLauda Sion salvatorem.
Sing forth, O Zion, sweetly sing.
Gospel AcclamationJohn 6:51-52I am the living bread which has come down from heaven, says the Lord. Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever.
GospelMark 14:12-16, 22-26This is my body. This is my blood
Year C
Reading 1Gen 14:18-20He brought bread and wine.
PsalmPs 109:1-4 r.4You are a priest for ever, a priest like Melchizedek of old.
Reading 21 Cor 11:23-26Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are proclaiming the Lord’s death.
SequenceoptionalLauda Sion salvatorem.
Sing forth, O Zion, sweetly sing.
Gospel AcclamationJohn 6:51-52I am the living bread which has come down from heaven, says the Lord. Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever.
GospelLuke 9:11-17They all ate as much as they wanted.

The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Second Friday after Trinity Sunday

Colour
White
Mass
Proper
Gloria
Creed
proper Preface of Sacred Heart
Office
EPI: proper
MP: proper, Sunday week I
EPII: proper
Year A
Reading 1Deut 7:6-11The Lord set his heart on you and chose you.
PsalmPs 102:1-4, 6-8, 10 r. 17The love of the Lord is everlasting upon those who hold him in fear.
Reading 21 John 4:7-16Love comes from God.
Gospel AcclamationMatt 11:29Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart.
GospelMatt 11:25-30I am gentle and humble of heart.
Year B
Reading 1Hos 11:1, 3-4, 8-9My heart recoils from it.
PsalmIsa 12:2-6 r.3With joy you willl draw water from the wells of the Saviour.
Reading 2Eph 3:8-12, 14-19The love of Christ is beyond all knowledge.
Gospel AcclamationMatt 11:29Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart.
1 John 4:10This is the love I mean: God’s love for us when he sent his Son to the sacrifice that takes our sins away.
GospelJohn 19:31-37One of the soldiers pierced his side and there came out blood and water.
Year C
Reading 1Ezek 34:11-16I myself will pasture my sheep, I will show them where to rest.
PsalmPs 22 r. 1The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Reading 2Rom 5:5-11What proves that God loves us is that Christ died for us.
Gospel AcclamationMatt 11:29Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart.
John 10: 14I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my own sheep and my own know me
GospelLuke 15:3-7Rejoice with me, I have found the sheep that was lost.

St David

1 MarchSolemnity in Wales

  • When the celebration falls on a Sunday In Ordinary Time it replaces the Sunday.
  • When the celebration falls on a Sunday In Lent it is transferred to the Monday.
  • Feast in England
  • Readings can be chosen from Common of pastors, or from Common of holy men and women (Lectionary Volume II).
  • The following texts, given in Lectionary Volume I, are selected from the Common.
Colour
White
Mass
Proper
Gloria
Creed
proper Preface
Office
proper — Common of Pastors
Reading 1Phil 3: 8-14I am racing for the finish, for the prize to which God calls us upwards to receive in Christ Jesus
PsalmPs 1:4, 6, r. Ps 39:5Happy the man who has placed his trust in the Lord
Reading 2to be chosen from Common
Gospel AcclamationJohn 8:31-32If you make my word your home you will indeed be my disciples
and you will learn the truth, says the Lord.
GospelMatt 5:13-16You are the light of the world.
orLuke 2:41-51aSee how worried your father and I have been, looking for you.

St Joseph

19 March

  • When the celebration falls on a Sunday In Lent it is transferred to the Monday.
  • When the celebration falls on Passion (Palm) Sunday or in Holy Week it is transferred to the first previous available day — generally the Saturday before Passion [Palm] Sunday.
Colour
White
Mass
Proper
Gloria
Creed
proper Preface of St Joseph
Office
EPI: proper, Common of Pastors
MP: proper, Sunday week I
EPII: proper, Common of Pastors
Reading 12 Sam 7:4-5, 12-14, 16The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.
PsalmPs 88:2-5, 27,29 r. 37His dynasty shall last for ever.
Reading 2Rom 4:13, 16-18, 22Though it seemed Abraham’s hope could not be fulfilled, he hoped and he believed.
Gospel AcclamationPs 83:5They are happy who dwell in your, O Lord,
for ever singing your praise.
GospelMatt 1:16, 18-21, 24Joseph did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do.
orLuke 2:41-51aSee how worried your father and I have been, looking for you.

The Annunciation of the Lord

25 March

  • When the celebration falls on a Sunday In Lent it is transferred to the Monday.
  • When the celebration falls on Passion (Palm) Sunday, in Holy Week, on Easter Sunday or in Easter Octave it is transferred to the next available day — generally the Monday of the Second Week of Easter.
Colour
White
Mass
Proper
Gloria
Creed — all genuflect at the words and was made man or et incarnatus est
proper Preface of the Annunciation
Office
EPI: proper
MP: proper, Sunday week I
EPII: proper
Reading 1Isa 7:10-14; 8:10The maiden is with child.
PsalmPs 39:7-11r. 8,9Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.
Reading 2Heb 10:4-10I was commanded in the scroll of the book, ‘God, here I am! I am coming to obey your will.’
Gospel AcclamationJohn 1:14The Word was made flesh, he lived among us,
and we saw his glory.
GospelLuke 1:26-38You are to conceive and bear a son.

St George

23 AprilSolemnity in England

  • When the celebration falls in the Easter Triduum, on a Sunday of Easter, or in the Easter Octave it is transferred to the next available day — generally the Monday of the Second Week of Easter.
  • Readings can be chosen from Common of martyrs (Lectionary Volume II).
  • The following texts, given in Lectionary Volume II, are selected from the Common.
Colour
Red
Mass
Proper
Gloria
Creed
Preface of Martyrs
Office
Office: Common of Martyrs
Reading 1Apoc 12: 10-12In the face of death they would not cling to life.
PsalmPs 125 r. 5Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.
Reading 2to be chosen from Common
Gospel AcclamationJames 1: 12Happy the man who stands firm when trials come.
He has proved himself, and will win the crown of life.
GospelJohn 15:18-21If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you too.
orJohn 15:1-8Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty.

The Nativity of St John the Baptist

24 June

Colour
White
Mass
Proper: Vigil & during the Day
Gloria
Creed
proper Preface of St John the Baptist
Office
EPI: proper, Common of Pastors
MP: proper, Sunday week I
EPII: proper, Common of Pastors
Vigil Mass
Reading 1Jer 1:4-10Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.
PsalmPs 70:1-6, 15, 17 r. 6From my mother’s womb you have been my help.
Reading 21 Pet 1:8-12It was this salvation that the prophets were looking and searching so hard for.
Gospel AcclamationJohn 1:7; Luke 1:17He came as a witness, as a witness to speak for the light,
preparing for the Lord a people fit for him.
GospelLuke 1:5-17She is to bear you a son and you must name him John.
Mass during the Day
Reading 1Isa 49:1—6I will make you the light of the nations.
PsalmPs 138:1-3, 13-15 r. 14I thank you for the wonder of my being.
Reading 2Acts 13:22-26Jesus, whose coming was heralded by John.
Gospel AcclamationLuke 1: 76As for you, little child, you shall be called a prophet of God, the Most High. You shall go ahead of the Lord to prepare his ways before him.
GospelLuke 1:57-66, 80His name is John.

St Peter & St Paul

29 June

  • Holyday of Obligation
  • In England and Wales when the celebration falls on either a Saturday or a Monday it is transferred to the Sunday.
  • Replaces 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time when it falls on a Sunday.
Colour
Red
Mass
Proper: Vigil & during the Day
Gloria
Creed
proper Preface of Saints Peter and Paul
Office
EPI: proper, Common of Apostles
MP: proper, Sunday week I
EPII: proper, Common of Apostles
Vigil Mass
Reading 1Acts 3:1-10I will give you what I have: in the name of Jesus stand up and walk!
PsalmPs 18:2-5 r. 5Their word goes forth through all the earth.
Reading 2Gal 1:11-20God specially chose me while I was still in my mother’s womb.
Gospel AcclamationJohn 21:17Lord, you know everything;
you know I love you.
GospelJohn 21:15-19Feed my lambs, feed my sheep.
Mass during the Day
Reading 1Acts 12:1-11Now I know the Lord really did save me from Herod.
PsalmPs 33:2-9 r. 5 or 8From all my terrors the Lord set me free. or
The angel of the Lord rescues those who revere him.
Reading 22 Tim 4:6-8, 17-18All there is to come is the crown of righteousness reserved for me.
Gospel AcclamationMatt: 16:18You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church.
And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it.
GospelMatt 16:13-19You are Peter, and I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

15 August

  • Holyday of Obligation
  • In England and Wales when the celebration falls on either a Saturday or a Monday it is transferred to the Sunday.
  • Replaces 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time when it falls on a Sunday.
Colour
White
Mass
Proper: Vigil & during the Day
Gloria
Creed
proper Preface of the Assumption
Office
EPI: proper, Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary
MP: proper, Sunday week I
EPII: proper, Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Vigil Mass
Reading 11 Chr 15:3-4, 15-16; 16:1-2They brought in the ark of God and set it inside the tent which David had pitched for it.
PsalmPs 131:6-7, 9-10, 13-14 r.8Go up, Lord, to the place of rest, you and the ark of your strength.
Reading 21 Cor 15:54-57He gave us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Gospel AcclamationLuke 11:28Happy are those who hear the word of God, and keep it.
GospelLuke 11:27-28Happy the womb that bore you!
Mass during the Day
Reading 1Rev 11:19; 12:1-6; 10A woman adorned with the sun, standing on the moon.
PsalmPs 44:10-12, 16 r.10On your right stands the queen, in garments of gold.
Reading 21 Cor 15:20-26Christ as the first fruits and then, those who belong to him.
Gospel AcclamationMary has been taken up into heaven;
all the choirs of angels are rejoicing.
GospelLuke 1:39-56The Almighty has done great things for me, he has exalted up the lowly.

All Saints

1 November

  • Holyday of Obligation
  • In England and Wales when the celebration falls on either a Saturday or a Monday it is transferred to the Sunday.
  • Replaces 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time when it falls on a Sunday.
Colour
White
Mass
Proper
Gloria
Creed
proper Preface of All Saints
Office
EPI: proper
MP: proper, Sunday week I
EPII: proper
Reading 1Rev 7:2-4,9-14I saw a huge number, impossible to count, of people from every nation, race, tribe and language.
PsalmPs 23:1-6 r.6Such are the men who seek your face, O Lord.
Reading 21 John 3:1-3We shall see God as he really is.
Gospel AcclamationMatt 11:28Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened,
and I will give you rest , says the Lord.
GospelMatt 5:1-12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.

Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed
(All Souls)

2 November

  • In England and Wales when All Saints (1 November) falls on a Saturday and is transferred to the Sunday the Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed is transferred to Monday 3 November.
  • Like Ash Wednesday this celebration is, technically, without rank. However, in countries (not England & Wales – see above) where it falls on a Sunday it replaces the Sunday.
Colour
White, Purple or Black
Mass
Proper — 3 formularies
Preface of Christian Death I–V
Lectionary
Readings are chosen from Masses for the Dead (Lectionary Volume III).
The following selection is given in Lectionary Volume I
Office
Office of the Dead
Readings
Reading 1Isa 25:6-9The Lord will destroy death for ever.
PsalmPs 26:1, 4, 7-9, 13-14 r. 1The Lord is my light and my help.
or r. 13I believe that I shall see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living.
Reading 2Rom 5:5-11Having died to make us righteous, is it likely that he would now fail to save us from God’s anger.
Gospel AcclamationJohn 6:39It is my Father’s will, says the Lord,
that I lose nothing of all that he has given me, and that I shall raise it up on the last day.
Gospel
Year AMatt 11:25-30You have hidden these things from the learned and have revealed them to mere children.
Year BMark 15:33-39; 16:1-6Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.
Year CLuke 7:11-17Young man, I tell you to get up.

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

8 December

  • When the celebration falls on Sunday (in Advent) it is transferred to the Monday.
Colour
White
Mass
Proper
Gloria
Creed
proper Preface of the Immaculate Conception
Office
EPI: proper, Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary
MP: proper, Sunday week I
EPII: proper, Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Reading 1Gen 3:9-15, 20I will make you enemies of each other; your offspring and her offspring.
PsalmPs 97:1-4 r.1Sing a new song to the Lord for he has worked wonders.
Reading 2Eph 1:3-6, 11-12Before the world was made, God chose us in Christ.
Gospel AcclamationLuke 1:28Hail Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with thee!
Blessed art thou among women.
GospelLuke 1:26-38You are to conceive and bear a son.

Anniversary of Dedication

Colour
White
Mass
Proper
— Common of the Dedication of a Church: 2 Anniversary of Dedication
Gloria
Creed
Preface of Dedication of a Church I
Lectionary
Proper
—Common of the Dedication of a Church: III Anniversary of dedication of a Church (Lectionary Volume II)
Office
Common of the Dedication of a Church
EPI: proper
MP: proper, Sunday week I
EPII: proper

The Anniversary of the Dedication of a church is celebrated:

  • Where the date of dedication is known:
    • on the actual anniversary date
    • or in Ordinary Time and the Christmas Season on the Sunday nearest the Anniversary date — provided that the Sunday is not a Solemnity (In addition to those listed on this page this would include: The Birth of the Lord (25 December), Mary, Mother of God (1 January), The Epiphany of the Lord (6 January)). When either the actual date or the nearest Sunday is impeded it is celebrated as below.
  • Where the date of dedication is not known:
    • 25 October (a week before All Saints)
    • The Sunday before All Saints (1 November)
      ‘In order to focus on the bond between the Church on earth and the Church in heaven.’
  • Whichever date a community fixes for its celebration it is important that the day can be celebrated with due festivity and that the choice of date be made once and for all.

Patronal Solemnity

Mass
Proper
Gloria
Creed
Preface — Proper and/or appropriate Common
Lectionary
—Proper and/or appropriate Common
Office
Proper and/or appropriate Common

Titular Dedication

  • The Titular dedication of a church – after whom the church is named – is celebrated as a Solemnity.
  • It is celebrated on the date given in the Calendar.
  • It may replace Sundays of Ordinary Time and the Christmas Season — provided that the Sunday is not a Solemnity (In addition to those listed on this page this would include: The Birth of the Lord (25 December), Mary, Mother of God (1 January), The Epiphany of the Lord (6 January)).
  • Where the celebration is impeded it is transferred to the next available day (i.e. the Monday after the Sunday in many cases).
  • Where a church is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary under a title that does not appear in the Calendar the Patronal Solemnity is celebrated on 15 August (The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary) or on another Marian celebration in the Calendar that fits better with the particular celebration.