5 April 2020: Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
The Commemoration of the Lord’s Entrance into Jerusalem
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Today we gather together to unite with the whole Church in the celebration of the beginning of Holy Week and the beginning of the celebration of the Paschal Mystery, that is to say, of Jesus’ Passion and Resurrection.
For it was to accomplish this mystery that he entered his own city of Jerusalem. Therefore, with all faith and devotion, let us commemorate the Lord’s entry into the city for our salvation, following in his footsteps, so that, embracing his Cross, we may have a share also in his Resurrection and in his life.
Let us pray. (silence)
Almighty ever-living God, santify † this palm branch with your blessing, that we, who follow Christ the King in exulation, may reach the eternalm Jerusalem through him. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Amen
(if you wish, you may this read passage from the Gospel of John)
† A reading from the Gospel according the John.
When the great crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they took palm branches and went out to meet him, and cried out: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the king of Israel.”
Jesus found an ass and sat upon it, as is written: Fear no more, O daughter Zion: see, your king comes, seated upon an ass’ colt. His disciples did not understand this at first, but when Jesus had been glorified they remembered that these things were written about him and that they had done this for him.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
(you may decorate the palm branch and hang it in a prominent place of the house)
Dear Brothers ans Sisters, Like the crowd who proclaimed Jesus in Jerusalem, let us go forth in peace.
Let us pray:
Penitential Act:
I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, (And, striking your breast, say: through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
Lord have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
The Liturgy of the Word: First Reading, Responsorial Psalm, Second Reading
IS 50:4-7 … PS 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24 … PHIL 2:6-11
Gospel Acclamation:
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory!
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew:
Glory to you, O Lord.
The Passion of the Lord. MT 26:14—27:66 OR 27:11-54
The Gospel of the Lord,
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Fr. Emmanuel’s Homily: “The Victory and Glory …”
Profession of Faith: The Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Prayers of the Faithful:
As we enter into the mysteries of Holy Week, in these difficult times, let us continue to raise our voices in supplication, confident that God will hear us and give us what we need:
- For the Church to embrace the sacrificial love of Christ as our guide and path to a new life in Christ, let us pray to the Lord.
- For the world leaders and scientists in our country and in every nation to find a cure to this terrible disease, for prudent decisions to be made in the best interest of protecting the sanctity of life, and for the health and well-being of all those who are leading our country during this difficult time, let us pray to the Lord.
- For continued prayer for all those afflicted by the coronavirus infection, for their families and loved ones; for the prompt recovery of those who are on ventilators and intensive care units, emergency rooms, hospitals, and in our homes, let us pray to the Lord.
- For the doctors, nurses, and all medical personnel who are desperately caring for those with this devastating disease; for their safety and protection and for the wellbeing of their families, let us pray to the Lord.
- For all those who find themselves homeless, in shelters, nursing homes, migrant detentions centers and other places where there is no choice of freedom, for God’s protection and compassionate hands to help them, let us pray to the Lord.
- For those who are confined to home, especially families with children and elderly people, for peace and acceptance in our hearts, and for strength remain faithful throughout this time of confinement, let us pray to the Lord.
- For our Catholic community at Holy Faith, in Gainesville, in all Parishes of our Diocese and our nation; for embracing the sacrificial love of Christ as we are being called to give up our lives so others can have a chance of living; for the grace to embrace our challenge to our freedom and comfort with the joy and hope of the resurrection, let us pray to the Lord.
- For those who have died, especially for our parishioner, Dr. Benjamin Eduardo Victorica, and for Jose Carlos, son of our parishioner Dania Magee, and for all those who have died in hospitals, alone, without the comfort of their loved ones, for the families left behind in devastation and sorrow, for the mercy of God to embrace them in love and compassion during their final moments, and for all the needs which we now lift up in silent prayer, …[pause]…let us pray to the Lord.
Loving and merciful Father, As we embrace the cross with it passion and suffering in imitation of your beloved Son we entrust to you our lives and our needs, with the hope that you will hear our prayers and give us the hope we need as we wait for the glorious resurrection.
We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ.
Amen
The Liturgy of the Eucharist: Presentation and Preparation of the Gifts
Take a moment and in thanksgiving to present your gifts to God and then close your eyes and imagine for a moment that you are physically at Mass experiencing everything that happens next.
That my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.
May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church.
The Eucharistic Prayer: Preface
The Lord be with you.
And with your Spirit.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right and just
Father continues with a Eucharistic Prayer and we sing:
And so, with all the angels and all the Saints we declare your glory, as with one voice we acclaim:
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Father continues with the Eucharistic Prayer including consecration and after he says.
Do this in memory of me and “The mystery of Faith.”
Save us, Savior of the World, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
Father continues in prayer and concludes when he sings or prays:
Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, for ever and ever.
Amen, Amen, Ah Ah AH Amen!
The Communon Rite:
At the Savior’s command and formed in divine teaching, we dare to say:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name …..
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 for ever.
Sign of Peace:
Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles: Peace I leave you, my peace I give you, look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will. Who live and reign for ever and ever.
Amen
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
And with your spirit.
Let us offer each other the sign of peace
Lamb of God:
Agnus Dei, qui tolis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Agnus Dei, qui tolis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Agnus Dei, qui tolis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.
Communion:
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.
Now imagining we are in the Church and Father gives us the final blessing:
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
AMEN
Go forth, the Mass is ended.
Thanks be to God.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
HOLY FAITH CATHOLIC CHURCH … Palm Sunday … April 5, 2020
- COLLECTION FOR THE POOR IN NEED: As you evaluate your ability to contribute to Holy Faith to sustain its life an ministry, we remind that this is the first Sunday of the month when we customarily have a “second collection” for the poor and those in need. If you are able, please continue to contribute to this cause, especially during this time when we anticipate an increase for need for assistant for more people.
- PALM SUNDAY & SACRED TRIDUUM: In a few days we will be sending you a message regarding the celebration of the Sacred Triduum. We are exploring all forms of domestic celebration of these High Holy Days, while we keep everyone safe, including our staff and volunteers. Please stay turned
- MEDIA COMMUNICATION: Please continue to check our website, e-newsletter, parish app for updates and other helpful information during this time. For those of you who use Facebook and Instagram please keep us posted on how you are doing through those media forms, otherwise you can contact us via email.
- PRIESTS & STAFF: Please know that our Priest, Deacon, and all Staff are still working and available to you. If you wish to contact any of them but do not have their contact information, please contact the office or send us an email so we can make it available to you.
- HOW TO CELEBRATE PALM SUNDAY AT HOME “The Domestic Church”