Ordo 2008

MARCH

1 Violet  Sat of 3d Week of Lent. Proper Mass, readings no. 242 (Hos 6: 1-6; Ps 51: 3-4, 18-19, 20-21; Lk 18: 9-14), Pref of Lent - 1st Vesp of following Sunday

2 + Rose  or Violet  * FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT. In Mass readings no. 31 (1Sm 16: 1b, 6-7, 10-13a; Ps 23: 1-3, 3-4, 5,6; Eph 5: 8-14; Jn 9: 1-41), Cr, Proper Pref of this Sunday, Communion Antiphon for Year A - 2d Vesp

3 Violet  Mon of 4th Week of Lent. Proper Mass, readings no. 244 (Is 65: 17-21; Ps 30: 2,4, 5-6, 11-13; Jn 4: 43-54), Pref of Lent - Vesp of Weekday

U.S.A.: At Lauds and Vespers optional commemoration of Katharine Drexel, Virgin, Religious Founder. At Mass optional Opening Prayer of Katharine Drexel.

4 Violet  Tue of 4th Week of Lent. Proper Mass, readings no. 245 (Ez 47: 1-9, 12; Ps 46: 2-3, 5-6, 8-9; Jn 5: 1-16), Pref of Lent - Vesp of Weekday

At Lauds and Vespers optional commemoration of Casimir. At Mass optional Opening Prayer of Casimir.

5 Violet  Wed of 4th Week of Lent. Proper Mass, readings no. 246 (Is 49: 8-15; Ps 145: 8-9, 13-14, 17-18; Jn 5: 17-30), Pref of Lent - Vesp of Weekday

Dioc Joliet: Anniv of Bishop's ordination tomorrow.

6 Violet  Thu of 4th Week of Lent. Proper Mass, readings no. 247 (Ex 32: 7-14; Ps 106: 19-20, 21-22, 23; Jn 5: 31-47), Pref of Lent - Vesp of Weekday

7 Violet  Fri of 4th Week of Lent. Proper Mass, readings no. 248 (Wis 2: 1a, 12-22; Ps 34: 17-18, 19-20, 21, 23; Jn 7: 1-2, 10, 25-30), Pref of Lent - Vesp of Weekday

At Lauds and Vespers optional commemoration of Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs. At Mass optional Opening Prayer of Perpetua and Felicity.

8 Violet  Sat of 4th Week of Lent. Proper Mass, readings no. 249 (Jer 11: 18-20; Ps 7: 2-3, 9-10, 11-12; Jn 7: 40-53), Pref of Lent - 1st Vesp of following Sunday

At Lauds optional commemoration of John of God, Religious Founder. At Mass optional Opening Prayer of John of God.

"Crosses and images may be veiled on the Fifth Sunday of Lent. Crosses are unveiled following the Good Friday Liturgy, while images are unveiled before the beginning of the Easter Vigil." (USCCB Committee on the Liturgy Newsletter , March 2006).

9 + Violet  * FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT. In Mass readings no. 34 (Ez 37: 12-14; Ps 130: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8; Rom 8: 8-11; Jn 11: 1-45), Cr, Proper Pref of this Sunday, Communion Antiphon for Year A - 2d Vesp

Preface of Passion I is used on the weekdays of the Fifth Week of Lent.

10 Violet  Mon of 5th Week of Lent. Proper Mass, readings no. 251 (Dn 13: 1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62; Ps 23: 1-3, 3-4, 5,6; Jn 8: 1-11), Pref of Passion I - Vesp of Weekday

11 Violet  Tue of 5th Week of Lent. Proper Mass, readings no. 252 (Nm 21: 4-9; Ps 102: 2-3, 16-18, 19-21; Jn 8: 21-30), Pref of Passion I - Vesp of Weekday

12 Violet  Wed of 5th Week of Lent. Proper Mass, readings no. 253 (Dn 3: 14-20, 91-92, 95; Dn 3: 52,53,54,55,56; Jn 8: 31-42), Pref of Passion I - Vesp of Weekday

13 Violet  Thu of 5th Week of Lent. Proper Mass, readings no. 254 (Gn 17: 3-9; Ps 105: 4-5, 6-7, 8-9; Jn 8: 51-59), Pref of Passion I - Vesp of Weekday

14 Violet  Fri of 5th Week of Lent. Proper Mass, readings no. 255 (Jer 20: 10-13; Ps 18: 2-3, 3-4, 5-6,7; Jn 10: 31-42), Pref of Passion I - 1st Vesp of following

15 White  Sat. JOSEPH * HUSBAND OF THE VIRGIN MARY (19 Mar.). Solemnity. In Mass Gl, 3 readings no. 543 (2Sm 7: 4-5a, 12-14a, 16; Ps 89: 2-3, 4-5, 27,29; Rom 4: 13, 16-18, 22; Mt 1: 16, 18-21, 24a or Lk 2: 41-51a), Cr, Pref of Joseph - 1st Vesp of following Sunday

16 + Red  * PASSION SUNDAY. Procession before Conventual or Principal Mass, Solemn Entrance before other well attended masses: Gospel no. 37 (Mt 21: 1-11), altar is kissed and incensed, but the greeting, penitential rite, and "Lord, have mercy" are omitted and Mass begins with Opening Prayer (but after Simple Entrance during entrance antiphon before other masses, Mass begins as usual), readings no. 38 (Is 50: 4-7; Ps 22: 8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24; Phil 2: 6-11; Mt 26: 14 to 27: 66), Cr, Pref of this Sunday - 2d Vesp

Preface of Passion II is used on the next three days.

Nameday of Abbot Patrick (R) tomorrow.

17 Violet  MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK. Proper Mass, readings no. 257 (Is 42: 1-7; Ps 27: 1,2,3, 13-14; Jn 12: 1-11), Pref of Passion II - Vesp of Weekday

18 Violet  TUESDAY OF HOLY WEEK. Proper Mass, readings no. 258 (Is 49: 1-6; Ps 71: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 15,17; Jn 13: 21-33, 36-38), Pref of Passion II - Vesp of Weekday

Nameday of Bishop Joseph tomorrow.

19 Violet  WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK. Proper Mass, readings no. 259 (Is 50: 4-9a; Ps 69: 8-10, 21-22, 31, 33-34; Mt 26: 14-25), Pref of Passion II - Vesp of Weekday

20 Violet  * THURSDAY OF HOLY WEEK. Ordi-nary office of Lent up to the Evening Mass exclusive.

Communion may be brought to the sick at any hour today. Other persons may receive only at the Chrism Mass and the Evening Mass.

Where some pastoral reason demands, the local Ordinary may permit that, in addition to the principal Mass of the Lord's Supper, a second Mass may be celebrated in the evening in churches or public and semipublic oratories. In case of true necessity, he may permit this Mass to be celebrated even in the morning but then only for the faithful who are in no way able to participate in an Evening Mass. Care should be taken that celebrations of this kind should not be permitted for private advantage and they should not prejudice the principal Evening Mass.

Priests who have already concelebrated the Chrism Mass or another Mass for the benefit of the faithful may concelebrate again at the Evening Mass.

Funeral Masses are forbidden on Holy Thursday and during the Easter Triduum. The burial rites may be carried out in the church at a suitable hour.

For the Evening Mass the tabernacle must be empty; the hosts required for communion at that Mass and on Good Friday must be consecrated at the Evening Mass.

From the end of the Gloria in excelsis  of the evening Mass on Holy Thursday until the Gloria  of the Easter Vigil, the organ and other musical instruments may only be used to support the singing; cf. Missale Romanum  (2002), p. 299, no. 7.

EASTER TRIDUUM

The Easter Triduum of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection begins with the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper (white ), OA, Gl, 3 readings no. 39 (Ex 12: 1-8, 11-14; Ps 116: 12-13, 15-16, 17-18; 1Cor 11: 23-26; Jn 13: 1-15), Pref of Eucharist I, in Euch Pr I proper "In union," "Father accept," and "The day before he suffered"; the concluding rite is omitted and the Blessed Sacrament is carried in procession to the place of repose - Vespers is said only by those who did not participate in the Evening Mass .

"At an opportune time the altar is stripped and, if it is possible, crosses are removed from the church. It is fitting that crosses which remain in the church be veiled." (Paschale Solemnitas , 1988, cited in USCCB Committee on the Liturgy Newsletter , March 2006.

Nameday of Abbot Benedict tomorrow.

21 Red  * GOOD FRIDAY (EF) OA. Proper Office. Afternoon Liturgy of the Lord's Passion, 3 readings no. 40 (Is 52: 13 to 53: 12; Ps 31: 2,6, 12-13, 15-16, 17,25; Heb 4: 14-16 and 5: 7-9; Jn 18: 1 to 19: 42) - Vespers is said only by those who did not participate in the Afternoon Liturgy

The third degree of humility (Rule of Benedict , Ch 7) is read today and tomorrow.

The liturgy must be celebrated in the afternoon, if possible around 3:00 p.m.

Communion may be given only during the Afternoon Liturgy, but Communion may be carried to the sick at any hour.

At a suitable time the Blessed Sacrament is carried privately to a place of repose, where a light is kept burning. The altar is stripped privately, but the cross and candles remain on it.

After the unveiling of the cross today, all genuflect to the cross until the beginning of the Easter Vigil.

22 Violet  * HOLY SATURDAY. OA. Proper Office - Vesp at usual hour; Compline is said only by those who do not participate in the Easter Vigil.

Before the Vigil, Communion may be given only to the sick who are in danger of death.

Priests who celebrate or concelebrate the Easter Vigil may celebrate or concelebrate the Mass of Easter Day also; with an indult they may even binate or trinate.

The entire Easter Vigil must take place at night; it must begin after nightfall and end before dawn.

23 + White  * EASTER SUNDAY. OA. Solemnity with an Octave:

Easter Vigil: readings no. 41 (at least three from the Old Testament, always including Reading III), Gl, New Testament readings (Rom 6: 3-11; Ps 118: 1-2, 16,17, 22-23; Mt 28: 1-10), baptismal liturgy after homily, Pref of Easter I (on this Easter night ), in Euch Pr I proper "In union" (we celebrate that night ) and "Father, accept," double "alleluia" in dismissal and response.

Those who do not participate in the Easter Vigil say the office of Readings; "Alleluia" is again said after "God, come...." Lauds of Easter. In Mass of Easter Day Gl, readings no. 42 (Acts 10: 34a, 37-43; Ps 118: 1-2, 16-17, 22-23; Col 3: 1-4 or 1Cor 5: 6b-8; Jn 20: 1-9 or the gospel from the Easter Vigil, as supra , may be read; at an afternoon Mass, gospel from no. 46, Lk 24: 13-35 may be read), Sequence after 2d Reading, renewal of baptismal promises replaces Cr, Pref of Easter I (on this Easter day ), in Euch Pr I proper "In union" (we celebrate that day ) and "Father, accept," double "alleluia" in dismissal and response - Vesp of the solemnity, with which the Triduum ends.

The Easter candle is lit for Mass, and Lauds and Vespers, of the more solemn liturgical celebrations of the Easter Season (cf., Caeremoniale Episcoporum , no. 372 (1995). It may also be the local practice that it is lit for other liturgical celebrations during the Easter season according to the custom of the community.

"Regina Caeli" is sung after Compline throughout the Easter Season.

"Alleluia" is added to the versicle and response of Benediction and at the giving of Communion outside Mass throughout the Easter Season.

"The first eight days of the Easter season make up the octave of Easter and are celebrated as solemnities of the Lord" (General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar , no. 24).

24 White  MONDAY OF THE OCTAVE OF EASTER. Solemnity. In Mass Gl, readings no. 261 (Acts 2: 14, 22-33; Ps 16: 1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11; Mt 28: 8-15), optional Sequence, Pref of Easter I, in Euch Pr I proper "In union" and "Father, accept," double "alleluia" in dismissal and response - Vesp of Octave

Nameday of Abbot Dismas tomorrow.

25 White  TUESDAY OF THE OCTAVE OF EASTER. Solemnity. In Mass Gl, readings no. 262 (Acts 2: 36-41; Ps 33: 4-5, 18-19, 20,22; Jn 20: 11-18), optional Sequence, Pref of Easter I, in Euch Pr I proper "In union" and "Father, accept," double "alleluia" in dismissal and response - Vesp of Octave

26 White  WEDNESDAY OF THE OCTAVE OF EASTER. Solemnity. In Mass Gl, readings no. 263 (Acts 3: 1-10; Ps 105: 1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9; Lk 24: 13-35), optional Sequence, Pref of Easter I, in Euch Pr I proper "In union" and "Father, accept," double "alleluia" in dismissal and response - Vesp of Octave

27 White  THURSDAY OF THE OCTAVE OF EASTER. Solemnity. In Mass Gl, readings no. 264 (Acts 3: 11-26; Ps 8: 2,5, 6-7, 8-9; Lk 24: 35-48), optional Sequence, Pref of Easter I, in Euch Pr I proper "In union" and "Father, accept," double "alleluia" in dismissal and response - Vesp of Octave

28 White  FRIDAY OF THE OCTAVE OF EASTER. Solemnity. In Mass Gl, readings no. 265 (Acts 4: 1-12; Ps 118: 1-2, 4, 22-24, 25-27; Jn 21: 1-14), optional Sequence, Pref of Easter I, in Euch Pr I proper "In union" and "Father, accept," double "alleluia" in dismissal and response - Vesp of Octave

29 White  SATURDAY OF THE OCTAVE OF EASTER. Solemnity. In Mass Gl, readings no. 266 (Acts 4: 13-21; Ps 118: 1, 14-15, 16-18, 19-21; Mk 16: 9-15), optional Sequence, Pref of Easter I, in Euch Pr I proper "In union" and "Father, accept," double "alleluia" in dismissal and response - 1st Vesp of following Sunday

30 + White  * SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER. In Mass Gl, readings no. 43 (Acts 2: 42-47; Ps 118: 2-4, 13-15, 22-24; 1Pt 1: 3-9; Jn 20: 19-31), optional Sequence after 2d Reading, Cr, Pref of Easter I, in Euch Pr I proper "In union" and "Father, accept," double "alleluia" in dismissal and response - 2d Vesp

Throughout the Easter Season one "alleluia" is added to the entrance and communion antiphons, unless it is already there or is inappropriate to the sense of the words.

Votive Masses, Masses "for various needs and occasions," and "daily" Masses for the dead are forbidden during the Easter Season, except as provided in nos. 332, 333, and 337 of the General Instruction. 

The Second Week of the Psalter begins tomorrow.

As regards the selection of Prefaces on Memorials, see the directions in the introduction, supra , page xvii.

31 White  Mon. ANNUNCIATION OF THE LORD. (25 Mar.). Solemnity. In Mass Gl, 3 readings no. 545 (Is 7: 10-14 and 8: 10; Ps 40: 7-8, 8-9, 10,11; Heb 10: 4-10; Lk 1: 26-38), Cr (all genuflect at "by the power...became man"), Pref of Annunciation - 2d Vesp

On 29 August 1972 the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship acceded to the petition of the Abbot President that the celebration of our holy father Benedict on 21 March be observed as a solemnity in the American Cassinese Congregation. Its rank was reaffirmed by the General Chapter of the Congregation in June 1989.

   

Ordo 2008  |  The Order of Saint Benedict  |  The Benedictine Confederation  |  CMSM