Season of Lent: Passiontide
1. The last two weeks of Lent form the season called
Passiontide. During this time all crucifixes and sacred images are veiled in violet. In Masses of the season, the psalm
Judica me is not said at the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar, and there is no Gloria Patri at the Introit
or at the Lavabo.
2. On Friday in Passion Week, two Masses of the Seven
Sorrows may be said (Gloria, Sequence, commemoration of the feria) where devotions to Our Lady of Sorrows are held. The psalm
Judica me is said, and Gloria Patri at the Introit and Lavabo.
3. On Palm Sunday red
vestments are worn during the blessing and procession, violet vestments at Mass. There is no Asperges. Palms are blessed
before Mass. The Mass begins with the Introit or incensation if following the procession, omitting the Prayers at the Foot
of the Altar, and the Last Gospel is not said. At other Masses, the Last Gospel is proper.
4. All the days
of Holy Week are ferias of the first class which cannot be superseded by any feast. No commemorations are made.
5. Holy Thursday.
Mass is celebrated in the evening between the hours of 4:00 and 9:00 P.M. The tabernacle must be empty. Enough hosts
must be consecrated today for both Holy Thursday and Good Friday. The bells are rung and the organ played during the singing
of the Gloria and thereafter are silent. The washing of the feet or Mandatum may take place after the Gospel.
Proper Communfcantes, Hanc Igitur, and Qui Pridie. The Preface of the Holy Eucharist may be used. The appendices
of some Missals also contain a proper Preface for Holy Thursday. Agnus Dei...miserere nobis is said 3 times. Before
Communion the prayer Domine qui dixisti is omitted. Benedicamus Domino replaces Ite, missa est. There
is no final blessing and no Last Gospel. Procession to altar of repose after Mass. Pange Lingua. Stripping of the Altars:
Psalm 21. The altars are stripped of everything except Cross and candlesticks (these are removed before the morning Offices
of Good Friday). Vespers omitted for those who assist at evening Mass. Compline proper with psalms of Sunday. The Blessed
Sacrament must be venerated at the altar of repose until midnight.
6. Death of Our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The liturgy is celebrated in the afternoon at about 3 P.M., and in any event before
6 P.M. The altar is completely bare, without crucifix, candles, or altar cloths. After adoration of the Holy Cross,
until the beginning of the Easter Vigil, all genuflect before the Cross on the main altar but only during liturgical services.
Otherwise, all bow to the altar. Vespers omitted for those who assist at the evening service. Compline prayers with psalms
of Sunday. Good Friday is a day of fast and abstinence (see Rules for Fasting and Abstinence).
7. Vigil of Easter.
During the ceremonies before Mass violet vestments are worn; white vestments are worn for the Procession and Exultet, renewal
of baptismal promises, and the Mass itself. The Blessing of New Fire. Blessing of Paschal Candle. Procession. Exultet.
Four Lessons. First Part of the Litany. Blessing of Baptismal Water (in churches with a font). Renewal of Baptismal Vows.
Second part of the Litany. Mass begins with Kyrie. Epistle. No lights at Gospel.
No Creed. No Offertory verse. Preface of
Easter (in hac potissimum nocte). Proper Communicantes. Proper Hanc Igitur. No Agnus Dei. No kiss
of peace. Domine qui dixisti omitted. After Communion of the People a shortened form of Lands is sung. Ite,missa
est, alleluia, alleluia. No Last Gospel. Those receiving Holy Communion at the Vigil Mass may receive again at the morning
Mass. Compline, Matins, and Lauds omitted for those who assist at the Paschal Vigil.
