4th Sunday of Lent – 6 Laetare comes from the word laetari March Laetare Sunday (rejoice). On that day there may be flowers (Rose Sunday. Mid-Lent on high altar, the organ can be played in Sunday). Colour: pink solo. The day is a relaxation of Lenten rigours, a day of hope. Weddings can be performed 8 March – St John of God, founder of the Brothers Hospitalliers Lent/Passiontide Period of the last two weeks of Lent, beginning with Passion Sunday and ending on Holy Saturday. During that time all crucifixes and images in church may be covered in purple veils In the Orthodox Church, The week witnesses the death and raising of the first of these weeks is Lazarus by Jesus and Christ’s journey from known as Week of Palms or Jordan to Bethany Flowery Week (13-19 March) 5th Sunday of Lent – 13 Now co-celebrated with Palm Sunday (6th March Passion Sunday or Sunday of Lent). The word Judica comes Judica Sunday from the beginning of Mass on that day: “Judge me, o God…” 17 March – St Patrick, the patron of Ireland. The feast is marked by public parades and festivals, the wearing of green attire, the Lenten restrictions (fast) may be lifted on that day Friday before Palm Sunday – Friday of Sorrows – 18 March. In some countries it is seen as the beginning of the Holy Week celebrations. It takes place a week before Good Friday and concentrates on the emotional pain that the Passion of Christ caused to Mary, venerated as Our Lady of Sorrows Glorious St. Joseph, pattern of all who are devoted to toil, obtain for 19 March – St Joseph, me the grace to toil, in the spirit of penance, in order to thereby husband of Mary. Holy Day atone for my many sins... of Obligation. The date may change if falls on Sunday or in Holy Week. A patron of universal Church and model of the pious believer who receives grace at the moment of death. 7 joys and 7 sorrows of St Joseph, prayers for daily protection, vocation, marriage, happy death and hopeless cases In the Orthodox Church, the Saturday before Palm Sunday is known as Lazarus Saturday, marking the beginning of Holy Week – 19 March. It celebrates the raising of Lazarus of Bethany by Jesus (John 11:1) and together with Palm Sunday is a day of joy and triumph during the Raising of Lazarus by Christ penitential season of Lent 26 March (2016) – Baptism /First Communion Baptism has six primary effects, all supernatural graces: *The removal of the guilt of both Original Sin and personal sin. *The remission of all punishment that we owe because of sin, both temporal and eternal. *The infusion of grace in the form of ; sanctifying grace the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit; and the three 7 gifts of Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord theological virtues. *** *Becoming a part of Christ. 3 theological virtues: faith, hope, charity *Becoming a part of the Church which is the Mystical Body of Christ on earth. *Enabling participation in the sacraments, the priesthood of all believers, and the growth in grace. Lent/ Holy Week A week before Easter The week commemorates Jesus’ entry into Sunday, starting with Palm Jerusalem to accomplish his paschal mystery Sunday (20-27 March) and culminates with His death and resurrection 1 Sunday before Easter Sunday: Palm Sunday – 20 March beginning of the Holy Week. In many countries there is a procession of the faithful carrying palm branches. Palms are blessed. In colder climates box, jew, willows or olive can be used and The feast commemorates Jesus’ triumphant thus the feast may be entry into Jerusalem when palm branches known as Yew Sunday or were placed in his path (Matthew 21, Mark Branch Sunday. In many 11, Luke 19:29, John 12:12) Nordic countries willow branches are brought in as a decoration. Holy Monday – 21 March The biblical events of that day include the cursing of the fig tree (Matthew 21:18, Mark 11:20), the questioning of Jesus’ authority (Matthew 21:23) and the Cleansing of the Temple (Matthew 21:12) as well as several parables Holy Tuesday – 22 March The Gospel recalls the foretelling of Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial of Jesus (Luke 22:31, John 13:21, 13:36, Mark 14:27). In the Orthodox Church the date also commemorates the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25) Tenebrae (“shadows”, “darkness” – a liturgy which may be celebrated one of the days from Holy Wednesday to Holy Saturday. There is a gradual extinguishing of 15 candles, one of which is extinguished after each of the 9 psalms of Matins and the 5 of Lauds. The last candle is hidden beneath the altar, ending the service in total darkness Holy Wednesday (Spy The name Spy Wednesday reflects Judas’ Wednesday) – 23 March intent to betray Jesus which formed that day (Matthew 26:14, Luke 22, Mark 14:10). The Gospel also tells of the anointing of Jesus in Bethany by a woman named Mary (Matthew 26:6, John 12). Holy Thursday (Maundy The vigil of Good Friday (the Mass of the Tuesday) – 24 March. Lord’s Supper) is celebrated, with all church Commemorates the Last bells ringing and the organ playing until the Supper of Jesus with his 12 Gloria. After Homily, a ritual washing of the apostles, the institution of feet follows. The Mass concludes with a the Eucharist, priesthood, procession of the Holy Sacrament. In some and the commandment of places, Seven Churches Visitation follows. brotherly love that Jesus The Chrism Mass may be celebrated in the gave after washing the feet morning where the bishop blesses oils for of his disciples. the sick, catechumens, and chrism used for Corresponds to 5th confirmation and Holy Orders. Matthew Luminous mystery. Colour: 26:17, Mark 14:12, Luke 22:7, John 13) white Spiritual fruit: love of our Eucharistic Lord Paschal Triduum The period of 3 days starting with the vigil of Good Friday and ending with the evening prayer on Easter Sunday. It recalls the passion, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Last Supper Good Friday – 25 March. 1. Jesus is condemned to death The passion and crucifixion 2. Jesus carries his cross 3. Jesus falls the first time of Jesus. A cross or crucifix 4. Jesus meets his mother 5. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry the cross is unveiled. It may be 6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus venerated by kissing. The 7. Jesus falls the second time 8. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem fast day (only one full 9. Jesus falls the third time 10. Jesus is stripped of his garments meal). In some countries 11. Crucifixion: Jesus is nailed to the cross processions with statues 12. Jesus dies on the cross 13. Jesus is taken down from the cross representing the Passion of 14. Jesus is laid in the tomb Christ. Of sacraments only Penance and Anointing of 14 Stations of the Cross (Via Crucis) – the meditation the Sick are allowed. reflecting the Passion of Jesus, is exercised on Good Matthew 26:47-27:56, Friday Mark 14:43-15:41, Luke 22:47-23:49, John 18-19:30 Good Friday marks also the . beginning of recital of the Divine Mercy Novena (with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy). The date Corresponds to Sorrowful mysteries. Spiritual fruits: *God’s will be done *Mortification of the senses First Day – all mankind, in particular all sinners. *Reign of Christ in our Second Day – the souls of priests and the religious. heart Third Day – the souls of the devout and faithful people. Fourth Day – for the non-believers and those who do not yet know *Patient bearing of trials Jesus. Fifth Day – the souls of heretics and schismatics. *Pardoning of injuries Sixth Day – the souls of "the meek and humble" and for little children. Seventh Day – the souls of people who especially glorify Christ's mercy. Eighth Day – souls in Purgatory. Ninth Day – souls who have become lukewarm and indifferent Holy Saturday (Black Saturday), end of the Holy Week – 26 March. Commemorates the day that Jesus lay in his tomb. Easter vigil is celebrated in celebration of the resurrection of Jesus; common day of adult baptism (Christian initiation). The Paschal Matthew 27:57, Mark 15:42, Luke 19:31, Candle is lit and the solemn John 19:31 procession to the altar takes place. Daytime masses are never offered Eastertide (Paschal A period of 50 days from time) Easter Sunday to Pentecost. Each Sunday of the season is treated as a Sunday of Easter, with first 8 days constituting the Octave of Easter and celebrated as solemnities of the Lord 1. Jesus is raised from the dead 14 Stations of Resurrection 2. The finding of the empty tomb (or Stations of Light, Via 3. Mary Magdalene meets the risen Jesus 4. Jesus appears on the road to Emmaus Lucis) – the meditation 5. Jesus is known in the breaking of bread 6. Jesus appears to the disciples in Jerusalem used during the Eastertide 7. Jesus gives the disciples his peace and the power to forgive reflecting Christ’s sins 8. Jesus strengthens the faith of Thomas Resurrection to Pentecost, 9. Jesus appears by the Sea of Tiberias 10. Jesus forgives Peter and commands him to feed his sheep emphasizing Easter 11. Jesus commissions the disciples upon the mountain spirituality 12. The Ascension of Jesus 13. Mary and the disciples wait in prayer 14. The Holy Spirit descends at Pentecost Eastertide/Easter The first week of Week Eastertide, starting with Easter Sunday (27 March – 2 April).