The Celebration of the Lord’s Passion

(Good Friday)

[Introduction to the Sacred Triduum … Good Friday]:

Although we are profoundly saddened that we cannot celebrate these special days as we are accustomed at our Parish, now more than ever, we are united by Jesus’ love in the certainty that we will experience the joy of the promised resurrection.   With such certainty, let us continue to keep our priorities in focus: “Love one another, as I have loved you…”

10 April 2020:   The Celebration of the Lord’s Passion

[Opening Prayer]:

Remember your mercies, O Lord, and with your eternal protection sanctify your servants, for whom Christ your Son, by the shedding of his Blood, established the Paschal Mystery.

Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.   

Amen

[Liturgy of the Word]:

First Reading:   IS 52:13—53:12

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

Thanks be to God

Responsorial Psalm:  PS 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17, 25

Second Reading: HEB 4:14-16; 5:7-9

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews

Thanks be to God

[Gospel Acclamation]:

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory!

The Lord be with you.

And with your spirit.

The Passion according to John:   

Glory to you, O Lord.

[Gospel]  JN 18:1-19:42

The Gospel of the Lord,

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[Fr. Emmanuel’s Homily]:  A Challenge to Carry our Crosses

[The Solemn Intercessions]: 

The ancient structure of these Good Friday Intercessions announces the Intention of each petition; there is then silence so that all my pray for the Intention, calling to mind various people who are the subject of the Intention. Each Intention is concluded with a prayer.

GOOD FRIDAY: SOLEMN INTERCESSION

 I.  For Holy Church

Let us pray, for the holy Church of God, that our God and Lord be pleased to give her peace, to guard her and to unite her throughout the whole world and grant that, leading our life in tranquility and quiet, we may glorify God the Father almighty.

 Silent Prayer

 [Prayer]:  

Almighty ever-living God, who in Christ revealed your glory to all the nations, watch over the works of your mercy, that your Church, spread throughout all the world, may persevere with steadfast faith in confessing your name.  Through Christ our Lord. 

Amen

II.  For the Pope

Let us pray also for our most Holy Father Pope Francis, that our God our Lord, who chose him for the Order of Bishops, may keep him safe and unharmed for the Lord’s holy Church, to govern the holy People of God.

 Silent Prayer 

 [Prayer]:  

Almighty ever-living God, by whose decree all things were founded, look with favor on our prayers and in your kindness protect the Pope chosen for us, that, under him, the Christian people governed by you their maker, may grow in merit by reason of their faith.  Through Christ our Lord.  

Amen

III.  For all orders and degrees of the faithful

Let us pray also for our bishop Felipe, for all Bishops, Priests, and Deacons of the Church and for the whole of the faithful People.

 Silent Prayer

 [Prayer]:  

Almighty ever-living God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is sanctified and governed, hear our humble prayer for your ministers, that, by the gift of your grace, all may serve you faithfully.  Through Christ our Lord.   

Amen

IV.  For catechumens

Let us pray also for all catechumens, that our God and Lord may open wide the ears of their inmost hearts and unlock the gates of his mercy, that, having received forgiveness of all their sins through the waters of rebirth, they, too, may be one with Christ Jesus our Lord.

Silent Prayer

 [Prayer]:  

Almighty ever-living God, who make your Church ever fruitful with new offspring, increase our faith and understanding of all catechumens, that, reborn in the font of Baptism, they may be added to the number of your adopted children. Through Christ our Lord.  

Amen

V.  For the unity of Christians

Let us pray also for all our brothers and sisters who believe in Christ, that our God and Lord may be pleased, as they live the truth, to gather them together and keep them in his one Church.

 Silent Prayer

 [Prayer]:  

Almighty ever-living God, who gather what is scattered and keep together what you have gathered, look kindly on the flock of your Son, that those whom one Baptism has consecrated may be joined together by integrity of faith and united in the bond of charity. Through Christ our Lord.   

VI.  For the Jewish people

Let us pray also for the Jewish people, to whom the Lord our God first spoke, that he may grant them to advance in love of his name and in faithfulness to his covenant.

Silent Prayer

 [Prayer]:  

Almighty ever-living God, who bestowed your promises on Abraham and his descendants, graciously hear the prayers of your Church, that the people you first made your own may attain the fullness of redemption. Through Christ our Lord. 

Amen

VII.  For those who do not believe in Christ

Let us pray also for those who do not believe in Christ, that, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, they, too, may enter on the way to salvation.

Silent Prayer

 [Prayer]:  

Almighty ever-living God, grant to those who do not confess Christ that, by walking before you with a sincere heart, they may find the truth and that we ourselves, being constant in mutual love and striving to understand more fully the mystery of your life, may be made more perfect witnesses to your love in the world.  Through Christ our Lord.  

Amen  

VIII.  For those who do not believe in God

Let us pray also for those who do not acknowledge God, that, following what is right in sincerity of heart, they may find the way to God himself.

Silent Prayer

 [Prayer]:  

Almighty ever-living God, who created all people to seek yo always by desiring you and, by finding you, come to rest, grant, we pray, that, despite every harmful obstacle, all may recognize the signs of your fatherly love and the witness of the good works done by those who believe in you, and so in gladness confess you, the one true God and Father of our human race. Through Christ our Lord.   

VIIII.  For those in public office

Let us pray also for those in public office, that our God and Lord may direct their minds and hearts according to his will for the true peace and freedom of all.

Silent Prayer

 [Prayer]:  

Almighty ever-living God, in whose hand lies every human heart and the rights of peoples, look with favor, we pray, on those who govern with authority over us, that throughout the whole world, the prosperity of peoples, the assurance of peace, the freedom of religion may through your gift be made secure.  Through Christ our Lord. 

Amen

X. For those in tribulation

Let us pray to God the Father almighty, that he may cleanse the world of all errors, banish disease, drive out hunger, overcome terrorism, unlock prisons, loosen fetters, granting to travelers, safety, to pilgrims return, health to the sick, and salvation to the dying.

Silent Prayer

 [Prayer]:  

Almighty ever-living God,comfort of mourners, strength of all who toil,may the prayers of those who cry out in any tribulationcome before you, that all may rejoice,because in their hour of need your mercy was at hand.Through Christ our Lord

Amen

[Veneration of the Cross]: 

Everyone is invited to venerate a Cross at home, preferably without the corpse and spend a few moments in silence. You may place the cross in a special place in your home with a candle.

          Our veneration expresses our thanksgiving to Christ for the sacrificial love of God which he showed us on the Cross.

            It is also a sign that we accept the dying and the passing through the unavoidable suffering of life, in union with this sacrificial love.  We do this because the way of the Cross leads to Resurrection. 

            As St. Paul says:             

“If we have died with Christ, we shall also live with him.” For this we need the grace of God. We cannot do this sacrificial love solely by our efforts.  

            Each member of your household may reverence the Cross at your home by removing your shoes, if you wish.  You may choose your own personal expression of veneration:  either by kissing the Cross, genuflecting or bowing before it, touching it, even embracing it.     

     Behold the Wood of the Cross from which hung the savior of the world. Come, let us adore.”

[Conclusion]:

May abundant blessing, O Lord, we pray, descend upon us, your people, who have honored the death of your Son in the hope of our resurrection: may pardon come, comfort be given, holy faith increase, and everlasting redemption be made secure. Through Christ our Lord. 

AMEN.

Silence

[Holy Communion]:

After a period of silence, this is the time when our Priest goes to the tabernacle in silence, and brings the consecrated hosts to the altar.

At the Savior’s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:

Our Father, who art in heaven … 

Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming or our Savior, Jesus Christ.

For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever.

After Father genuflects, he takes the host, raises it slightly over the ciborium and says aloud:

Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.

Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

[Spiritual Communion Prayer]:

Jesus, I believe that you are truly present in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things and I desire to possess you within my soul. Since I am unable now to receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart, I embrace you as already being there, and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.

Period of Silence as we focus on the blessing we have just received.

Let us Pray:

Almighty ever-living God, who have restored us to life by the blessed Death and Resurrection of your Christ,  preserve in us the work of your mercy, that, by partaking of this mystery, we may have life unceasingly devoted to you. Through Christ our Lord.

[ANNOUNCMENT]:

We will resume our live audio streaming tomorrow night at 8:30pm, when we celebrate the Easter Vigil.

[Prayer over the People]: 

Bow your heads.

May abundant blessing, O Lord, we pray, descend upon your people, who have honored the death of your Son in the hope of  the resurrection: may pardon come, comfort given, holy faith increase, and ever lasting redemption be made secure.

Through Christ our Lord.

AMEN

Easter Vigil (link to be added on 11 April 2020)

Holy Thursday