HOLY THURSDAY (MAUNDY THURSDAY) Missa in coena Domini

 

  

HOLY THURSDAY

DOUBLE, FIRST CLASS/WHITE

Holy Thursday celebrates especially the institution of the Mass at the Last Supper as the Sacrifice and Sacrament of Christian unity. On this day also, Jesus first shared His priesthood with men by ordaining the Apostles. Then He uttered the command that is the reason for every Mass: “Do this in remembrance of Me.” This is a day to think of the great love Jesus showed in instituting the Eucharist and to return that love by receiving Him in Holy Communion. Through Holy Communion we are united to Christ and to one another.
By sacrificing His life to unite men to God, by feeding men on Hid own Flesh and Blood, by an example of mutual charity given in washing the Apostles’ feet, by the command to love one another and to wash one another’s feet, by praying that they be one like the Father and Himself, and by showing the actual unity of all of them in Himself as branches in a living vine--in all these ways Jesus taught and molded men into one.

The Holy Thursday liturgy provides a ceremonial washing of feet. Wherever this is performed it is a living picture of Our Lord’s command that we love one another.
Everyone should spend some time today in adoring Jesus at the altar of repose.
The stripping of the Altars after Mass is a sign that Mass will not be offered again until Holy Saturday evening.

INTROIT (Ga. 6:14)
But it is fitting that we should glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom is salvation, life and resurrection for us, by whom we are saved and delivered.
Ps. 66:2. May God have mercy on us and bless us; may He let His face shine upon us; and may He have mercy on us. But it is fitting . . .

The Gloria is sung.
After the Gloria, the organ is not played, nor are the bells sounded, until the Mass of the Easter Vigil on Saturday night.

COLLECT
O God, who punished Judas for his crime and rewarded the good thief for his penitence, be merciful to us! Our Lord Jesus Christ in His passion gave each one recompense according to his deserts; may He deliver us from our sins of old, and bestow on us the grace of His resurrection; who lives and rules with You . . .

EPISTLE (I Cor. 11:20-32)
Brethren: When you come therefore together into one place, it is not now to eat the Lord's supper. For every one taketh before his own supper to eat. And one indeed is hungry and another is drunk. What, have you no houses to eat and to drink in? Or despise ye the church of God and put them to shame that have not? What shall I say to you? Do I praise you? In this I praise you not.
For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread, And giving thanks, broke and said: Take ye and eat: This is my body, which shall be delivered for you. This do for the commemoration of me. In like manner also the chalice, after he had supped, saying: This chalice is the new testament in my blood. This do ye, as often as you shall drink, for the commemoration of me. For as often as you shall eat this bread and drink the chalice, you shall shew the death of the Lord, until he come.
Therefore, whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord. But let a man prove himself: and so let him eat of that bread and drink of the chalice. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord. Therefore are there many infirm and weak among you: and many sleep. But if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But whilst we are judged, we are chastised by the Lord, that we be not condemned with this world.

GRADUAL (Philipp. 2:8-9)
For us Christ became obedient to death, even to death on a cross.
V. Therefore God also has exalted Him and has bestowed upon Him the name that is above every name.

GOSPEL (John 13:1-15)
Before the festival day of the pasch, Jesus knowing that his hour was come, that he should pass out of this world to the Father: having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And when supper was done (the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray him), Knowing that the Father had given him all things into his hands and that he came from God and goeth to God, He riseth from supper and layeth aside his garments and, having taken a towel, girded himself. After that, he putteth water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. He cometh therefore to Simon Peter. And Peter saith to him: “Lord, dost thou wash my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him: “What I do, thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.” Peter saith to him: “Thou shalt never wash my feet“. Jesus answered him: “If I wash thee not, thou shalt have no part with me.” Simon Peter saith to him: “Lord, not only my feet, but also my hands and my head.” Jesus saith to him: “He that is washed needeth not but to wash his feet, but is clean wholly. And you are clean, but not all.” For he knew who he was that would betray him; therefore he said: “You are not all clean.”
Then after he had washed their feet and taken his garments, being set down again, he said to them: “Know you what I have done to you? You call me Master and Lord. And you say well: for so I am. If then I being your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that as I have done to you, so you do also.”

CREED

 

Washing of the feet
The washing of the feet takes place after the homily, though it may be done at some other time today. The celebrant girds himself with a cloth, and assisted by his ministers, begins the washing of the feet of twelve men chosen for the ceremony. While the subdeacon holds the right foot of each of those whose feet are to be washed, the celebrant, kneeling before him, washes the foot and wipes it, the deacon handing him a towel for the wiping. Meanwhile the following chants are sung:


Antiphon 1
John 13:34
Ant. A new commandment I give unto you: That you love one another, as I have loved you, saith the Lord.
Ps 118:1
Blessed are the undefiled in the way: who walk in the law of the Lord.
Ant. A new commandment I give unto you: That you love one another, as I have loved you, saith the Lord.


Antiphon 2
John 13: 4, 5, 15
Ant. After our Lord was risen from supper, He put water into a basin, and began to wash the feet of His disciples: to whom He gave this example.
Ps. 47:2
Great is the Lord, and exceedingly to be praised in the city of our God, in His holy mountain.
Ant. After our Lord was risen from supper, He put water into a basin, and began to wash the feet of His disciples: to whom He gave this example.


Antiphon 3
John 13: 12, 13, 15
Ant. Our Lord Jesus, after He had supped with His disciples, washed their feet, and said to them: Know you what I your Lord and Master have done to you? I have given you an example, that ye also may do likewise.
Ps. 84:2
Thou hast blessed, O Lord, Thy land; Thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob.
Ant. Our Lord Jesus, after He had supped with His disciples, washed their feet, and said to them: Know you what I your Lord and Master have done to you? I have given you an example, that ye also may do likewise.


Antiphon 4
John 13: 6-8
Ant. Lord, dost Thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said to them: If I shall not wash thy feet, thou shalt have no part with Me.
V. He came to Simon Peter, and Peter said to Him: Lord, dost Thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said to them: If I shall not wash thy feet, thou shalt have no part with Me.
V. What I do, thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
Ant. Lord, dost Thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said to them: If I shall not wash thy feet, thou shalt have no part with Me.


Antiphon 5
John 13:14
Ant. If I your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, how much more ought you to wash one another's feet?
Ps. 48:2
Hear these things, all ye nations: give ear, ye that inhabit the world.
Ant. If I your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, how much more ought you to wash one another's feet?


Antiphon 6
John 13:35
Ant. By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love one for another.
V. Said Jesus to His disciples.
Ant. By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love one for another.


Antiphon 7
1 Cor 13:13
Ant. Let these three, faith, hope, and charity, remain in you; but the greatest of these is charity.
V. And now there remain faith, hope and charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Ant. Let these three, faith, hope, and charity, remain in you; but the greatest of these is charity.


Antiphon 8
Where charity and love are, there is God.
V. The love of Christ has gathered us together.
V. Let us rejoice in Him and be glad.
V. Let us fear and love the living God.
V. And let us love one another with a sincere heart.
Where charity and love are, there is God.
V. When, therefore, we are assembled together.
V. Let us take heed, that we be not divided in mind.
V. Let malicious quarrels and contentions cease.
V. And let Christ our God dwell among us.
Where charity and love are, there is God.
V. Let us also with the blessed see.
V. Thy face in glory, O Christ our God.
V. There to possess immeasurable and happy joy.
V. For infinite ages of ages. Amen.


After the Maundy, the officiating priest washes his hands. Then returning to the place whence he came he puts on maniple and chasuble and standing with his head uncovered, he says:

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation: But deliver us from evil. Amen.
V. Thou hast commanded Thy commandments, O Lord.
R. To be exactly observed.
V. Thou hast washed the feet of Thy disciples.
R. Despise not the work of Thy hands.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray
Be present, O Lord, we beseech Thee, at the performance of our service: and since Thou didst vouchsafe to wash the feet of Thy disciples, despise not the work of Thy hands, which Thou hast commanded us to retain: that as here the outward stains are washed away by us and from us, so the inward sins of us all may be blotted out by Thee. Which do Thou vouchsafe to grant, who livest and reignest God for ever and ever.
R. Amen.

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (Ps. 117:16, 17)
The right hand of the Lord has exercised power, the right hand of the Lord has lifted me up. I shall not die, but live, and shall declare the works of the Lord.

SECRET
O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty and Eternal God, may our sacrifice be acceptable to You through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who on this day commanded His disciples to perform this rite in commemoration of Him; who lives and rules with You . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON (John 13:12, 13, 15)
The Lord Jesus, after He had eaten the supper with His disciples, washed their feet, and said to them, “Do you know what I, your Lord and Master, have done to you? I have given you an example, that you also should do.”

POSTCOMMUNION
We are nourished by the Bread of Life, O Lord our God. may this most sacred rite of our mortal life bestow upon us Your gift of immortality. Through Our Lord . . .

THE PROCESSION
The Blessed Sacrament is carried by the celebrant in procession to the altar of repose. while the Pange lingua is sung.

Pange Lingua
Sing, my tongue, the Savior's glory:
Of His Flesh the mystery sing;
Of His Blood all price exceeding.
Shed by our immortal King.
Destined for the world's redemption
From a noble womb to spring.
Of a pure and spotless Virgin,
Born for us on earth below,
He, as Man with man conversing,
Stayed the seeds of truth to sow,
Then He closed in solemn order
Wondrously His life of woe.
On the night of His last supper,
Seated with His chosen band,
He, the paschal victim eating,
First fulfills the Law's command;
Then as food to all His brethren
Gives himself with His own hand.
Word made Flesh, the bread of nature,
By His words to Flesh He turns;
Wine into His Blood He changes:
What though sense no change discerns,
Only be the heart in earnest,
Faith her lesson quickly learns.
Down in adoration falling,
Lo, the Sacred Host we hail,
Lo, o'er ancient forms departing
Newer rites of grace prevail;
Faith for all defects supplying,
Where the feeble senses fail.
To the everlasting Father
And the Son who reigns on high
With the Holy Ghost proceeding
Forth from each eternally,
Be salvation, honor, blessing,
Might and endless majesty.
Amen.

THE STRIPPING OF THE ALTARS
During the Stripping of the Altars, the celebrant recites the following antiphon and begins Psalm 21.

They have divided my garments among them, and for my vesture they have cast lots.

Psalm 21: O God my God, look upon me: why hast thou forsaken me? Far from my salvation are the words of my sins.
O my God, I shall cry by day, and thou wilt not hear: and by night, and it shall not be reputed as folly in me.
But thou dwellest in the holy place, the praise of Israel.
In thee have our fathers hoped: they have hoped, and thou hast delivered them.
They cried to thee, and they were saved: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.
But I am a worm, and no man: the reproach of men, and the outcast of the people.
All they that saw me have laughed me to scorn: they have spoken with the lips, and wagged the head.
“He hoped in the Lord, let him deliver him: let him save him, seeing he delighteth in him.”
For thou art he that hast drawn me out of the womb: my hope from the breasts of my mother.
I was cast upon thee from the womb. From my mother's womb thou art my God,
Depart not from me. For tribulation is very near: for there is none to help me.
Many calves have surrounded me: fat bulls have besieged me.
They have opened their mouths against me, as a lion ravening and roaring.
I am poured out like water; and all my bones are scattered. My heart is become like wax melting in the midst of my bowels.
My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue hath cleaved to my jaws: and thou hast brought me down into the dust of death.
For many dogs have encompassed me: the council of the malignant hath besieged me. They have dug my hands and feet.
They have numbered all my bones. And they have looked and stared upon me.
They parted my garments amongst them; and upon my vesture they cast lots.
But thou, O Lord, remove not thy help to a distance from me; look towards my defense.
Deliver, O God, my soul from the sword: my only one from the hand of the dog.
Save me from the lion's mouth; and my lowness from the horns of the unicorns.
I will declare thy name to my brethren: in the midst of the church will I praise thee.
Ye that fear the Lord, praise him: all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him.
Let all the seed of Israel fear him: because he hath not slighted nor despised the supplication of the poor man. Neither hath he turned away his face form me: and when I cried to him he heard me.
With thee is my praise in a great church: I will pay my vows in the sight of them that fear him.
The poor shall eat and shall be filled: and they shall praise the Lord that seek him: their hearts shall live for ever and ever.
All the ends of the earth shall remember, and shall be converted to the Lord: And all the kindreds of the Gentiles shall adore in his sight.
For the kingdom is the Lord's; and he shall have dominion over the nations.
All the fat ones of the earth have eaten and have adored: all they that go down to the earth shall fall before him.
And to him my soul shall live: and my seed shall serve him.
There shall be declared to the Lord a generation to come: and the heavens shall shew forth his justice to a people that shall be born, which the Lord hath made.

They have divided my garments among them, and for my vesture they have cast lots.

The altars are stripped at this time.

WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK

 

  

WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK

SIMPLE/PURPLE
Nothing so touches the heart as the tragic suffering of the innocent. Christ was divinely innocent. And the tragedy of His anguish and humiliation suggests something of what God thinks of sin. The sins of two thousand years after Christ are no more and no less real than the sins of two thousand years before Christ, because with God there is no time. All the iniquities from Adam to the present moment and to the end of time struck and bruised and crushed God's Son. The world's covenant of forgiveness and pledged heaven is soaked in the flowing blood of Christ. In each Mass that blood is again "poured out."

INTROIT (Philipp. 2:10, 8, 11)
At the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven, on earth and under the earth, for the Lord became obedient to death, even so death on a cross. Therefore our Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.Ps. 101:2. O Lord, hear my prayer and let my plea be heard. At the name of Jesus . . .

COLLECT
V. Let us pray. Let us Kneel.
R. Arise

Almighty God, deliver us, who are continually afflicted by sin because of our self-indulgence, through the passion of Your only-begotten Son; who lives and rules with You . . .

LESSON (Isa. 62:11; 63:1-7)
Thus says the Lord God, "Behold the Lord hath made it to be heard in the ends of the earth, tell the daughter of Sion: 'Behold thy Saviour cometh: behold his reward is with him, and his work before him. Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bosra, this beautiful one in his robe, walking in the greatness of his strength. I, that speak justice, and am a defender to save.'
'Why then is thy apparel red, and thy garments like theirs that tread in the winepress?' 'I have trodden the winepress alone, and of the Gentiles there is not a man with me: I have trampled on them in my indignation, and have trodden them down in my wrath, and their blood is sprinkled upon my garments, and I have stained all my apparel. For the day of vengeance is in my heart, the year of my redemption is come. I looked about, and there was none to help: I sought, and there was none to give aid: and my own arm hath saved for me, and my indignation itself hath helped me. And I have trodden down the people in my wrath, and have made them drunk in my indignation, and have brought down their strength to the earth.' 'I will remember the tender mercies of the Lord, the praise of the Lord for all the things that the Lord hath bestowed upon us.' "

GRADUAL (Ps. 68:18, 2-3)
Turn not Your face away from Your servant, for I am in trouble; make haste to answer me. V. Save me, O God, for the waters threaten my life; I am sunk in the deep mire where there is no foothold.

V. The Lord be with you.

COLLECT
O God, You willed the ignominious death of Your Son on the cross that we might be delivered from the power of the enemy. Grant that we Your servants may obtain the grace of rising again with Him. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . . 
 
LESSON (Isa. 53:1-12)
In those days, Isaias said: "Who a hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
"And he shall grow up as a tender plant before him, and as a root out of a thirsty ground: there is no beauty in him, nor comeliness: and we have seen him, and there was no sightliness, that we should be desirous of him: Despised, and the most abject of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with infirmity: and his look was as it were hidden and despised, whereupon we esteemed him not.
"Surely he hath borne our infirmities and carried our sorrows: and we have thought him as it were a leper, and as one struck by God and afflicted. But he was wounded for our iniquities, he was bruised for our sins: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and by his bruises we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray, every one hath turned aside into his own way: and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
"He was offered because it was his own will, and he opened not his mouth: he shall be led as a sheep to the slaughter, and shall be dumb as a lamb before his shearer, and he shall not open his mouth. He was taken away from distress, and from judgment: who shall declare his generation? because he is cut off out of the land of the living: for the wickedness of my people have I struck him.
"And he shall give the ungodly for his burial, and the rich for his death: because he hath done no iniquity, neither was there deceit in his mouth. And the Lord was pleased to bruise him in infirmity: if he shall lay down his life for sin, he shall see a long-lived seed, and the will of the Lord shall be prosperous in his hand. Because his soul hath laboured, he shall see and be filled: by his knowledge shall this my just servant justify many, and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I distribute to him very many, and he shall divide the spoils of the strong, because he hath delivered his soul unto death, and was reputed with the wicked: and he hath borne the sins of many, and hath prayed for the transgressors."

TRACT (Ps. 101:2-5, 14)
O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my plea be heard. V. Turn not Your face away from me; in my day of distress incline Your ear to me. V. Whenever I call to You, answer me quickly. V. For my days are vanishing like smoke, and my bones are dried up as though in an oven. V. I am withered as grass and my heart is shriveled up; I have forgotten to eat. V. You will arise and have mercy on Sion, O Lord, for it is time to pity her.

THE PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST 
ACCORDING TO SAINT LUKE (22:39-71; 23:1-53)
At that time, Jesus going out, went, according to his custom, to the Mount of Olives. And his disciples also followed him. And when he was come to the place, he said to them: "Pray, lest ye enter into temptation." And he was withdrawn away from them a stone's cast. And kneeling down, he prayed. Saying: "Father, if thou wilt, remove this chalice from me: but yet not my will, but thine be done." And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony, he prayed the longer. And his sweat became as drops of blood, trickling down upon the ground. And when he rose up from prayer and was come to the disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow. And he said to them: "Why sleep you? Arise: pray: lest you enter into temptation." 
As he was yet speaking, behold a multitude; and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus, for to kiss him. And Jesus said to him: "Judas, dost thou betray the Son of man with a kiss?" And they that were about him, seeing what would follow, said to him: "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?" And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answering, said: "Suffer ye thus far." And when he had touched his ear, he healed him. And Jesus said to the chief priests and magistrates of the temple and the ancients, that were come unto him: "Are ye come out, as it were against a thief, with swords and clubs? When I was daily with you in the temple, you did not stretch forth your hands against me: but this is your hour and the power of darkness." 
And apprehending him, they led him to the high priest's house. But Peter followed afar off. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall and were sitting about it, Peter was in the midst of them. Whom when a certain servant maid had seen sitting at the light and had earnestly beheld him, she said: "This man also was with him." But he denied him, saying: "Woman, I know him not." And after a little while, another seeing him, said: "Thou also art one of them." But Peter said: "O man, I am not." And after the space, as it were of one hour, another certain man affirmed, saying: "Of a truth, this man was also with him: for he is also a Galilean." And Peter said: "Man, I know not what thou sayest." And immediately, as he was yet speaking, the cock crew. And the Lord turning looked on Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, as he had said: "Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny thrice." And Peter going out, wept bitterly.
And the men that held him mocked him and struck him. And they blindfolded him and smote his face. And they asked him saying: "Prophesy: Who is it that struck thee?" And blaspheming, many other things they said against him. And as soon as it was day, the ancients of the people and the chief priests and scribes came together. And they brought him into their council saying: "If thou be the Christ, tell us." And he saith to them: "If I shall tell you, you will not believe me. 
And if I shall also ask you, you will not answer me, nor let me go. But hereafter the Son of man shall be sitting on the right hand of the power of God." Then said they all: "Art thou then the Son of God?" Who said: "You say that I am." And they said: "What need we any further testimony? For we ourselves have heard it from his own mouth." And the whole multitude of them, rising up, led him to Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying: "We have found this man perverting our nation and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar and saying that he is Christ the king." And Pilate asked him, saying: "Art thou the king of the Jews?" But he answering, said: "Thou sayest it."And Pilate said to the chief priests and to the multitudes: "I find no cause in this man." But they were more earnest, saying: "He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place."
But Pilate hearing Galilee, asked if the man were of Galilee? And when he understood that he was of Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him away to Herod, who was also himself at Jerusalem in those days. And Herod seeing Jesus, was very glad: for he was desirous of a long time to see him, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to see some sign wrought by him. And he questioned him in many words. But he answered him nothing. And the chief priests and the scribes stood by, earnestly accusing him. And Herod with his army set him at nought and mocked him, putting on him a white garment: and sent him back to Pilate. And Herod and Pilate were made friends, that same day: for before they were enemies one to another.
And Pilate, calling together the chief priests and the magistrates and the people, Said to them: "You have presented unto me this man as one that perverteth the people. And behold I, having examined him before you, find no cause in this man, in those things wherein you accuse him. No, nor Herod neither. For, I sent you to him: and behold, nothing worthy of death is done to him. I will chastise him therefore and release him."
Now of necessity he was to release unto them one upon the feast day. But the whole multitude together cried out, saying: "Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas": Who, for a certain sedition made in the city and for a murder, was cast into prison. And Pilate again spoke to them, desiring to release Jesus. But they cried again, saying: "Crucify him, Crucify him." And he said to them the third time: "Why, what evil hath this man done? I find no cause of death in him. I will chastise him therefore and let him go." But they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And their voices prevailed. And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required. And he released unto them him who for murder and sedition had been cast into prison, whom they had desired. But Jesus he delivered up to their will.
And as they led him away, they laid hold of one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country; and they laid the cross on him to carry after Jesus. And there followed him a great multitude of people and of women, who bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning to them, said: "Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not over me; but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days shall come, wherein they will say: 'Blessed are the barren and the wombs that have not borne and the paps that have not given suck.' Then shall they begin to say to the mountains: Fall upon us. And to the hills: Cover us. For if in the green wood they do these things, what shall be done in the dry?" 
And there were also two other malefactors led with him to be put to death. And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary, they crucified him there: and the robbers, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. And Jesus said: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." But they, dividing his garments, cast lots. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers with them derided him, saying: "He saved others: let him save himself, if he be Christ, the elect of God." And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him and offering him vinegar, And saying: "If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself." And there was also a superscription written over him in letters of Greek and Latin and Hebrew "THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS."
And one of those robbers who were hanged blasphemed him, saying: "If thou be Christ, save thyself and us." But the other answering, rebuked him, saying: "Neither dost thou fear God, seeing; thou art under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly: for we receive the due reward of our deeds. But this man hath done no evil." And he said to Jesus: "Lord, remember me when thou shalt come into thy kingdom." And Jesus said to him: "Amen I say to thee: This day thou shalt be with me in paradise." 
And it was almost the sixth hour: and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.
And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And Jesus crying with a loud voice, said: "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit." And saying this, he gave up the ghost.
Now, the centurion, seeing what was done, glorified God, saying: "Indeed this was a just man." And all the multitude of them that were come together to that sight and saw the things that were done returned, striking their breasts. And all his acquaintance and the women that had followed him from Galilee stood afar off, beholding these things.
And behold there was a man named Joseph who was a counsellor, a good and a just man, (The same had not consented to their counsel and doings) of Arimathea, a city of Judea: who also himself looked for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and begged the body of Jesus.
And taking him down, he wrapped him in fine linen and laid him in a sepulchre that was hewed in stone, wherein never yet any man had been laid.

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (Ps. 101:2-3)
O Lord, hear my prayer and let my plea be heard. Turn not Your face away from me.

SECRET 
O Lord, accept the gift we offer, and graciously grant that we may be moved to love You through this sacred rite which renews the passion of Your Son our Lord. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .

Preface of the Holy Cross
COMMUNION ANTIPHON (Ps. 101:10, 13, 14)
My tears are mingled with my drink, for You have lifted me up only to cast me down, and I am withered as grass. But You, O Lord, abide forever. You will arise and have mercy on Sion, for it is time to pity her.

POSTCOMMUNION 
Awaken our sensibilities, almighty God, so that through Your Son's death in the world, which is re-enacted in this holy rite, we may firmly believe that You have bestowed eternal life upon us. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE
O Lord, look upon Your family; for their sake our Lord Jesus Christ unhesitatingly suffered betrayal into the hands of the wicked and underwent the torment of the cross; who lives and rules with You . . .

TUESDAY OF HOLY WEEK

   

TUESDAY OF HOLY WEEK

SIMPLE / PURPLE
The Christian way is not normally the way of violence. The use of authority sometimes requires forceful words, and Jesus Himself used such force. But usually the Christian appeal is simply through presentation of truth and through persuasion. Beyond that, the Christian becomes the sacrificial lamb who, like Christ, brings men to God by example, prayer, and meritorious suffering. Redemption began on the cross and it must continue on the cross. "Behold the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). What the Baptist said of Christ remains true of every member of Christ.

INTROIT (Gal. 6:14)
But it is fitting that we should glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom is salvation, life, and resurrection for us, by whom we are saved and delivered. 
Ps. 66:2. May God have mercy on us and bless us; may He let his face shine upon us; and may He have mercy on us. But it is fitting . . .

COLLECT
Almighty and Eternal God, grant that we may celebrate the sacred rites of our Lord's passion in such a manner that we may be worthy of Your pardon. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .

LESSON (Jer. 11:18-20)
In those days, Jeremiah said, "But thou, O Lord, hast shewn me, and I have known: then thou shewedst me their doings. And I was as a meek lamb, that is carried to be a victim: and I knew not that they had devised counsels against me, saying: 'Let us put wood on his bread, and cut him off from the land of the living, and let his name be remembered no more.' But thou, O Lord of Sabaoth, who judgest justly, and triest the reins and the hearts, let me see thy revenge on them: for to thee have I revealed my cause."

GRADUAL (Ps. 34:13, 1-2)
But I, when they were afflicting me, clothed myself in sackcloth, humbled myself with fastings, and prayed with head bent low. 
V. Fight, O Lord, against those who fight me, war upon me. Tale Your sword and shield, and rise up to help me.

THE PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
ACCORDING TO SAINT MARK (14:32-72; 15:1-46)
At that time, they came to a farm called Gethsemani. And Jesus saith to his disciples: "Sit you here, while I pray." And he taketh Peter and James and John with him: and he began to fear and to be heavy. And he saith to them: "My soul is sorrowful even unto death. Stay you here and watch." And when he was gone forward a little, he fell flat on the ground: and he prayed that, if it might be, the hour might pass from him. And he saith: "Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee: remove this chalice from me; but not what I will, but what thou wilt."
And he cometh and findeth them sleeping. And he saith to Peter:"Simon, sleepest thou? Couldst thou not watch one hour? Watch ye: and pray that you enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." And going away again, he prayed, saying the same words. And when he returned, he found them again asleep (for their eyes were heavy): and they knew not what to answer him. And he cometh the third time and saith to them: "Sleep ye now and take your rest. It is enough. The hour is come: behold the Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise up: let us go. Behold, he that will betray me is at hand." 
And while he was yet speaking, cometh Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve: and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the ancients. And he that betrayed him had given them a sign, saying: "Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he. Lay hold on him: and lead him away carefully." And when he was come, immediately going up to him he saith: "Hail, Rabbi!" And he kissed him. But they laid hands on him and held him. And one of them that stood by, drawing a sword, struck a servant of the chief priest and cut off his ear. And Jesus answering, said to them: "Are you come out as to a robber, with swords and staves to apprehend me? I was daily with you in the temple teaching: and you did not lay hands on me. But that the scriptures may be fulfilled."Then his disciples, leaving him, all fled away. And a certain young man followed him, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body. And they laid hold on him. But he, casting off the linen cloth, fled from them naked.
And they brought Jesus to the high priest. And all the priests and the scribes and the ancients assembled together. And Peter followed him afar off, even into the court of the high priest. And he sat with the servants at the fire and warmed himself. And the chief priests and all the council sought for evidence against Jesus, that they might put him to death: and found none. For many bore false witness against him: and their evidences were not agreeing. And some rising up, bore false witness against him, saying: "We heard him say, I Will destroy this temple made with hands and within three days I will build another not made with hands." And their witness did not agree. And the high priest rising up in the midst, asked Jesus, saying: "Answerest thou nothing to the things that are laid to thy charge by these men?" But he held his peace and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him and said to him: "Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed God?" And Jesus said to him: "I am. And you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the power of God and coming with the clouds of heaven." Then the high priest rending his garments, saith: "What need we any further witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy. What think you?" Who all condemned him to be guilty of death. And some began to spit on him and to cover his face and to buffet him and to say unto him: "Prophesy." And the servants struck him with the palms their hands.
Now when Peter was in the court below, there cometh one of the maidservants of the high priest. And when she had seen Peter warming himself looking on him, she saith: "Thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth." But he denied, saying: "I neither know nor understand what thou sayest." And he went forth before the court; and the cock crew. And again a maidservant seeing him, began to say to the standers by: "This is one of them." But he denied again. And after a, while they that stood by said again to Peter: "Surely thou art one of them; for thou art also a Galilean." But he began to curse and to swear, saying: "I know not this man of whom you speak." And immediately the cock crew again. And Peter remembered the word that Jesus had said unto him: "Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt thrice deny me." And he began to weep.
And straightway in the morning, the chief priests holding a consultation with the ancients and the scribes and the whole council, binding Jesus, led him away and delivered him to Pilate. And Pilate asked him: "Art thou the king of the Jews?" But he answering, saith to him: "Thou sayest it." And the chief priests accused him in many things. And Pilate again asked him, saying: "Answerest thou nothing? Behold in how many things they accuse thee." But Jesus still answered nothing: so that Pilate wondered.
Now on the festival day he was wont to release unto them one of the prisoners, whomsoever they demanded. And there was one called Barabbas, who was put in prison with some seditious men, who in the sedition had committed murder. And when the multitude was come up, they began to desire that he would do as he had ever done unto them. And Pilate answered them and said: "Will you that I release to you the king of the Jews?" For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him up out of envy. But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas to them. And Pilate again answering, saith to them: "What will you then that I do to the king of the Jews?" But they again cried out: "Crucify him." And Pilate saith to them: "Why, what evil hath he done?" But they cried out the more: "Crucify him."
And so Pilate being willing to satisfy the people, released to them Barabbas: and delivered up Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified. And the soldiers led him away into the court of the palace: and they called together the whole band. And they clothed him with purple: and, platting a crown of thorns, they put it upon him. And they began to salute him: "Hail, king of the Jews." And they struck his head with a reed: and they did spit on him. And bowing their knees, they adored him. And after they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him and put his own garments on him: and they led him out to crucify him. And they forced one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and of Rufus, to take up his cross. And they bring him into the place called Golgotha, which being interpreted is, The place of Calvary.
And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh. But he took it not. And crucifying him, they divided his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. And it was the third hour: and they crucified him. And the inscription of his cause was written over: "THE KING OF THE JEWS." And with him they crucify two thieves: the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith: "And with the wicked he was reputed." And they that passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads and saying: "Vah, thou that destroyest the temple of God and in three days buildest it up again: Save thyself, coming down from the cross." In like manner also the chief priests, mocking, said with the scribes one to another: "He saved others; himself he cannot save. Let Christ the king of Israel come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe." And they that were crucified with him, reviled him.
And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole earth until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying: "Eloi, Eloi, lamma sabacthani?" Which is, being interpreted: "My God, My God, Why hast thou forsaken me?"And some of the standers by hearing, said: "Behold he calleth Elias." And one running and filling a sponge with vinegar and putting it upon a reed, gave him to drink, saying: "Stay, let us see if Elias come to take him down." And Jesus, having cried out with a loud voice, gave up the ghost.
And the veil of the temple was rent in two, from the top to the bottom. And the centurion who stood over against him, seeing that crying out in this manner he had given up the ghost. said: "Indeed this man was the son of God." And there were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalen and Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joseph and Salome,
Who also when he was in Galilee followed him and ministered to him, and many other women that came up with him to Jerusalem.
And when evening was now come (because it was the Parasceve, that is, the day before the sabbath), Joseph of Arimathea, a noble counsellor, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, came and went in boldly to Pilate and begged the body of Jesus. But Pilate wondered that he should be already dead. And sending for the centurion, he asked him if he were already dead.
And when he had understood it by the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. And Joseph, buying fine linen and taking him down, wrapped him up in the fine linen and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewed out of a rock. And he rolled a stone to the door of the sepulchre.

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (Ps. 139:5)
Save me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the unjust.

SECRET 
O Lord, may this Sacrifice revive us more quickly because of our salutary fast which we offer with it. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON (Ps. 68:13-14)
They who sit at the gate were working against me, and the wine-bibbers made me the butt of their songs. But I, O Lord, do pray to You; in Your good time, O God, show me Your great mercy.

POSTCOMMUNION 
Almighty God, let Your sanctifying grace cure our inclination to evil and provide us with a never-failing remedy. Through Our Lord . . .

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE
O God, by Your mercy prevent us from falling into the habits of our old selves and make us increase in new holiness. Through Our Lord . . .