Day of fast and abstinence. Celebration of the Mass and the sacraments is strictly prohibited, except for Penance and Anointing of the Sick. Communion may be taken to the sick, but otherwise is not distributed outside today's Celebration of the Lord's Passion.
Hours of the day. The Office of Readings and Morning Prayer are recommended for public celebration in parishes.
Celebration of the Passion of the Lord.
The celebration has three parts:
I. Liturgy of the Word (readings, homily, intercessions)
II. Veneration of the Cross
III. Holy Communion.
The celebration begins about 3 p.m.
The altar is completely bare, without candles, cloth or cross. The ministers vest with red Mass vestments. They enter in silence and prostrate before the altar. This act of prostration, which is proper to the rite of the day, should be observed (whenever the ministers are physical able) for it signifies both the abasement of "earthly man," and also the grief and sorrow of the Church. As the ministers enter, the faithful should be standing, and thereafter should kneel in silent prayer. [PS 65] The Passion is proclaimed as on Palm Sunday.
Readings: [40] Isa 52:13-53:12; Ps 31:2+6, 12-13, 15-16, 17+25; Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9; John 18:1-19:42.
The Intercessions must follow "the form and wording" handed down by tradition, but the celebrant may make a selection of some more relevant to local conditions, provided the range of intentions is preserved. [PS 67]
The cross is presented to each of the faithful individually for their
adoration, since the personal adoration of the cross is a most
important feature in this celebration. The celebrant may remove his
chasuble and shoes for the veneration. Only if necessitated by the large numbers of faithful present may the rite of veneration be made simultaneously by all present. Only one cross should be used for the veneration. [PS 69]
The communion rite is as described in the Missal. There is no sign of peace.
After Holy Communion, the Blessed Sacrament is carried from the church by a priest or deacon wearing a humeral veil and accompanied by two candles. The Sacrament is reserved privately outside the church for the needs of the sick and dying.
The altar is stripped at a suitable time, but the cross remains with four candles, placed so that the faithful may venerate and kiss it and spend some time in meditation. [PS 71]
Evening Prayer is not said by participants in the afternoon liturgy. Night Prayer is said after the Celebration of the Lord's Passion at a suitable hour, with the special verse in place of the responsory.
Today after the Veneration of the Cross, all
genuflect toward the cross when passing it.
Anniversary:
129th anniversary of the death of P. Peter Prestage (65) d. 1907 at Fort Victoria, Rhodesia.
Anniversary:
123rd anniversary of the death of F. José António Martins (36) d. 1913 at Jette-St-Pierre, Brussels .
Anniversary:
72nd anniversary of the death of P. George Loseby (50) d. 1964 at Johannesburg, RSA.
Anniversary:
68th anniversary of the death of P. Raul Sarreira (79) d. 1968 at Vila Coutinho, Province of Mozambique.
On this day in our Jesuit history...
1542
St. Ignatius sent Pedro Ribadenaira, aged fifteen, from Rome to Paris for his studies. Pedro had been admitted into the Society in l540.
1573
At the Third General Congregation, Pope Gregory XIII suggests that we elect a non-Spanish to be General. Eventually the Belgian Mercurian will be elected.
1607
In China died Brother Benito Goes.
1632
At Lima, Peru, Fr. Ruiz de Montoya died. A Portuguese, he was called the Apostle of Paraguay, for he converted thousands.
1673
At Lima died Ven. Father Francis de Castillo, a Portuguese, justly regarded as the Apostle of Peru.
1985
Translation of the body of Fr. Felice Capello, "the confessor of Rome" to the Church of St. Ignatius near the confessional he occupied almost daily for thirty years. He died in 1962.
