Solemnities

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(Usus Antiquior) Palm Sunday (I Classis) – Sunday, 13 April 2025 : Holy Gospel

Liturgical Colour : Red

Sequentia Sancti Evangelii secundum Matthaeum – Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew

Matthew 21 : 1-9

In illo tempore : Cum appropinquasset Jesus Jerosolymis, et venisset Bethphage ad montem Oliveti : tunc misit duos discipulos suos, dicens eis : Ite in castellum, quod contra vos est, et statim invenietis asinam alligatam, et pullum cum ea : solvite, et adducite mihi : si quis vobis aliquid dixerit, dicite quia Dominus his opus habet, et confestim dimittet eos.

Hoc autem totum factum est, ut adimpleretur quod dictum est per prophetam, dicentem : Dicite filiae Sion : Ecce Rex tuus venit tibi mansuetus, sedens super asinam et pullum, filium subjugalis.

Euntes autem discipuli, fecerunt sicut praecepit illis Jesus. Et adduxerunt asinam et pullum : et imposuerunt super eos vestimenta sua, et cum desuper sedere fecerunt. Plurima autem turba straverunt vestimenta sua in via : alii autem caedebant ramos de arboribus, et sternebant in via : turbae autem, quae praecedebant, et quae sequebantur, clamabant, dicentes : Hosanna Filio David : Benedictus qui venit in Nomine Domini.

English translation

At that time, when Jesus drew nigh to Jerusalem, and had come to Bethphage, unto the Mount of Olives, He then sent two disciples, and said to them, “Go to the village that is over there against you, and immediately you shall find a donkey tied, and a colt with her, loosen them and bring them to Me, and if anyone shall say anything to you, say that the Lord had need of them, and forthwith He shall let them go.”

Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, which says, “Tell to the daughter of Zion, behold your King comes to you meekly, and sitting upon a donkey, and the colt that is her foal who is used to the yoke.”

And the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. And they brought the donkey and its colt, and laid their garments upon them, and made Him to sit upon them. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way, and others cut boughs from the trees and strewed them along the way, and the multitudes who went before and those who followed after cried, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord!”

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(Usus Antiquior) Palm Sunday (I Classis) – Sunday, 13 April 2025 : Distribution of the Palms

Liturgical Colour : Red

First Antiphon

John 12 : 13 and Mark 11 : 9

Pueri Hebraeorum, portantes ramos olivarum, obviaverunt Domino, clamantes, et dicentes : Hosanna in excelsis.

English translation

The children of the Hebrews, carrying olive branches went forth to meet the Lord, crying aloud and repeating, “Hosanna in the highest!”

Psalm 23

Domini est terra, et plenitudo ejus : orbis terrarum et universi qui habitant in eo.

Quia ipse super maria fundavit eum : et super flumina praeparavit eum.

(First Antiphon)

Attollite portas, principes, vestras, et elevamini portae aeternales : et introibit Rex gloriae.

Quis est iste Rex gloriae? Dominus fortis et potens : Dominus potens in proelio.

(First Antiphon)

Attollite portas principes vestras, et elevamini portae aeternales : et introibit Rex gloriae.

Quis est iste Rex gloriae? Dominus virtutum ipse est Rex gloriae.

(First Antiphon)

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto.

Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

(First Antiphon)

English translation

The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and all those who dwell in it.

For He had founded it upon the seas, and had prepared it upon the rivers.

(First Antiphon)

Lift up your gates, o you princes, and may you be lifted up, o eternal gates, and the King of Glory shall enter in.

Who is the King of Glory? The Lord who is strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.

(First Antiphon)

Lift up your gates, o you princes, and may you be lifted up, o eternal gates, and the King of Glory shall enter in.

Who is the King of Glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of Glory.

(First Antiphon)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

(First Antiphon)

Second Antiphon

Matthew 21 : 8-9

Pueri Hebraeorum vestimenta prosternebant in via et clamabant, dicentes : Hosanna Filio David : Benedictus, qui venit in Nomine Domini.

English translation

The children of the Hebrews strewed their garments in the way and cried aloud, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord!”

Psalm 46

Omnes Gentes, plaudite manibus : jubilate Deo in voce exsultationis.

Quoniam Dominus excelsus, terribilis : Rex magnus super omnem terram.

(Second Antiphon)

Subjecit populos nobis : et Gentes sub pedibus nostris.

Elegit nobis hereditatem suam : speciem Jacob, quam dilexit.

(Second Antiphon)

Ascendit Deus in jubilo : et Dominus in voce tubae.

Psallite Deo nostro, psallite : psallite Regi nostro, psallite.

(Second Antiphon)

Quoniam Rex omnis terrae Deus : psallite sapienter.

Regnabit Deus super Gentes : Deus sedet super sedem sanctam suam.

(Second Antiphon)

Principes populorum congregati sunt cum Deo Abraham : quoniam dii fortes terrae vehementer elevati sunt.

(Second Antiphon)

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto.

Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

(Second Antiphon)

English translation

O clap your hands, all you nations. Shout unto God with the voice of joy.

For the Lord is high, terrible, a great King over all the earth.

(Second Antiphon)

He had subdued the people under us, and the nations under our feet.

He had chosen for us His inheritance, the beauty of Jacob which He had loved.

(Second Antiphon)

God is ascended with jubilee, and the Lord with the sound of trumpet.

Sing praises to our God, sing all of you, sing praises to our King, sing all of you.

(Second Antiphon)

For God is the King of all the earth, sing all of you wisely.

God shall reign over the nations, God sits on His holy throne.

(Second Antiphon)

The princes of the people are gathered together, with the God of Abraham, for the strong gods of the earth are exceedingly exalted.

(Second Antiphon)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

(Second Antiphon)

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(Usus Antiquior) Palm Sunday (I Classis) – Sunday, 13 April 2025 : Blessing of the Palms

Liturgical Colour : Red

Antiphon

Matthew 21 : 9

Hosanna Filio David : benedictus, qui venit in Nomine Domini. Rex Israel : Hosanna in excelsis.

Priest : Dominus vobiscum.

Response : Et cum spiritu tuo.

Oremus :

Benedic +, quaesumus, Domine, hos palmarum ramos : et praesta; ut quod populus Tuus in Tui venerationem hodierna die corporaliter agit, hoc spiritualiter summa devotione perficiat, de hoste victoriam reportando et opus misericordiae summopere diligendo. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

English translation

Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord. O King of Israel : Hosanna in the highest!

Priest : The Lord be with you.

Response : And with your spirit.

Let us pray :

Bless +, we beseech You, o Lord, these palm branches, and grant that what Your people this day do in the flesh in Your honour, it may do in spirit with uttermost devotion, winning the victory over the enemy, and loving with all its heart the exercise of mercy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Tuesday, 25 March 2025 : Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : White

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we mark the great occasion of the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, the moment when we celebrate the time that the Lord Jesus Christ, Our Saviour and King, Our God and Lord of all the Universe, was incarnate in the flesh, and was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of Mary, His mother. This must not be confused with the moment of the Lord’s birth into this world, His Nativity, which we celebrate at Christmas, exactly nine months from today. And it is precisely because today is nine months away from Christmas and it marks the beginning of the Lord’s nine months period spent in the womb of His mother Mary, that we celebrate this Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord.

On this day, the Lord sent one of His great Archangels, the Archangel Gabriel to proclaim the Good News long awaited by His people, who have long awaited the fulfilment of God’s promise of salvation, the sending of the deliverance and Saviour, which had been given to us through this Incarnation of the Son of God, Who embraced our human nature and existence, becoming Man and therefore manifesting perfectly the love of God, which had thus been made tangible, real and approachable to us. No longer God is merely a concept or myth, or a Being far removed from us by His Almighty transcendence. Yes, God remains all-powerful and transcendent, far beyond us in might and glory, infinite in majesty and power, but at the same time, by the mystery of His Incarnation, God has made Himself close to us, approachable and real.

The Annunciation of the Lord marks this moment when the long awaited Hope and Salvation of the world has finally come into a reality, and the Light of Hope is restored to the world, long slumbering in darkness, and what is significant is that the Lord chose not to come in glory and majesty, or as a conquering and mighty King, but instead, He chose to be incarnate and born of a humble, unknown Virgin, Mary, who was merely a peasant girl in the totally unimportant and small town or even village of Nazareth, at the fringe of the Jewish world at that time. Yet, from what we have heard in the accounts of the Annunciation today, we are reminded of exactly why the Lord chose to do this, to bring about our salvation.

The Lord chose to become one of us because it is by this action that He can undo the harm and damage which our ancestors had done in disobeying God, in embracing the falsehoods and lies of Satan. By His coming into this world, He would unite us all mankind through His own humanity, and show to us the ultimate love and compassion through His Son, Who would lay down His life for our sake, freeing us from the domination and tyranny of sin. By His perfect obedience, Christ as the Son of Man would bear the many burdens of our sins, our trespasses and mistakes, which He bore on His Cross, and through this perfect obedience and ultimate sacrifice of love, He made for us a New and Eternal Covenant between God and us, giving us the sure path to eternal life through Him.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, as we continue to journey through this time and season of Lent, we are all reminded of why we observe this penitential season of Lent in the first place. We are preparing ourselves to celebrate the most important events in the story of our salvation, which the Lord had made possible through the Incarnation of His Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, Our Saviour, into this world. Therefore today, as we all remember the moment of His Incarnation at this Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, we should remember the great love and compassion which God has manifested before us all in His Son, and be filled with the same love towards Him just as He has shown us all first. We should be grateful that the Lord has been so patient in loving us all despite all of our faults and transgressions so far.

By offering Himself willingly and selflessly for us, just as the second reading from the Epistle to the Hebrews had highlighted, the Lord by His enduring love for us has fashioned for us the means of our salvation, to purify and sanctify us all by His grace, cleansing us all from the corruptions of our innumerable sins. And by this most wonderful and generous love of God, we have been healed and made whole once again, shown the compassionate and most loving Heart of God, full of love for us as always. Therefore, we too should be filled with love and devotion towards Him, and do our very best during this time and season of Lent to seek His forgiveness and mercy, and strive to distance ourselves from all sorts of corruptions, evils and sins that can lead us all further away from God.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, today we should also look upon the great example of faith and obedience which Mary, the Mother of Our Lord and Saviour, the Mother of God, has shown each and every one of us. Despite her uncertainties and her inexperience, Mary chose to entrust herself to the Lord and His plans, devoting herself thoroughly to the mission which has been entrusted to her through the words of the Archangel Gabriel. Mary is our perfect role model and example, and just as Christ her Son is the New Adam that led us all by His perfect obedience to His heavenly Father, thus Mary, as the New Eve also directs us all towards her Son, towards the salvation that He has generously offered to each and every one of us. We should follow Mary’s examples in our own lives, in each and every moments.

Let us all therefore renew our commitment to the Lord this Lent, and strive to do our best in living our daily lives as good and faithful Christians in all the things we say and do. Through prayer, fasting and almsgiving, let us all continue to draw closer to the Lord and devote our time and attention to Him, so that by each and every moments of our lives, by our every actions, ever devoted to Him, we may draw ever closer to Him and His grace, and be truly worthy to receive the pardon and forgiveness for our many mistakes and faults. Through our humility and obedience, which we should deepen ever more during this time and season of Lent, we should follow the examples of Christ Himself and His blessed Mother Mary, our own beloved Mother so that we may continue to humble ourselves before God, sinners in need of God’s mercy and healing.

May the Lord, our most loving God and Father continue to show us all His love, and help us in this journey of life, as we come ever closer to His Presence this Lent. May He welcome us back through His generous mercy and compassion, forgiving us our sins when we come to Him with truly humble and contrite hearts. May God bless us all, and bless our Lenten journey and observances. Amen.

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Tuesday, 25 March 2025 : Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Luke 1 : 26-38

In the sixth month, the Angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth. He was sent to a young virgin, who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the family of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

The Angel came to her and said, “Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you.” Mary was troubled at these words, wondering what this greeting could mean. But the Angel said, “Do not fear, Mary, for God has looked kindly on you. You shall conceive and bear a Son, and you shall call Him Jesus. He will be great, and shall rightly be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the kingdom of David, His ancestor; He will rule over the people of Jacob forever, and His reign shall have no end.”

Then Mary said to the Angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” And the Angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the Holy Child to be born of you shall be called Son of God. Even your relative Elizabeth is expecting a son in her old age, although she was unable to have a child; and she is now in her sixth month. With God nothing is impossible.”

Then Mary said, “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said.” And the Angel left her.

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Tuesday, 25 March 2025 : Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord (Second Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Hebrews 10 : 4-10

And never will the blood of bulls and goats take away these sins. This is why on entering the world, Christ says : You did not desire sacrifice and offering; You were not pleased with burnt offerings and sin offerings. Then I said : “Here I am. It was written of Me in the scroll. I will do Your will, o God.”

First He says : “Sacrifice, offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not desire nor were You pleased with them – although they were required by the Law. Then He says : Here I am to do Your will. This is enough to nullify the first will and establish the new. Now, by this will of God, we are sanctified once and for all by the sacrifice of the Body of Christ Jesus.

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Tuesday, 25 March 2025 : Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : White

Psalm 39 : 7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 11

Sacrifice and oblation You did not desire; this You had me understand. Burnt offering and sin offering You do not require. Then I said, “Here I come!”

“As the scroll says of me. To do Your will is my delight, o God, for Your law is within my heart.”

In the great assembly I have proclaimed Your saving help. My lips, o Lord, I did not seal – You know that very well.

I have not locked up in my heart Your saving help, but have spoken about it – Your deliverance and Your faithfulness; I have made no secret of Your truth and of Your kindness in the great assembly.

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Tuesday, 25 March 2025 : Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Isaiah 7 : 10-14 and Isaiah 8 : 10

Once again YHVH addressed Ahaz, “Ask for a sign from YHVH your God, let it come either from the deepest depths or from the heights of heaven.”

But Ahaz answered, “I will not ask, I will not put YHVH to the test.” Then Isaiah said, “Now listen, descendants of David. Have you not been satisfied trying the patience of people, that you also try the patience of my God? Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign : The Virgin is with Child and bears a Son and calls His Name Immanuel.”

“Devise a plan and it will be thwarted, make a resolve and it will not stand, for God-is-with-us.”

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(Usus Antiquior) Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Double I Classis) – Tuesday, 25 March 2025 : Offertory, Secret Prayer of the Priest, Preface, Communion and Post-Communion Prayer

Liturgical Colour : White

Offertory

Luke 1 : 28. 42

Ave, Maria, gratia plena; Dominus tecum : Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui.


English translation

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the Fruit of your womb.

Secret Prayer of the Priest

In mentibus nostris, quaesumus, Domine, verae fidei sacramenta confirma : ut, qui conceptum de Virgine Deum verum et hominem confitemur; per ejus salutiferae resurrectionis potentiam, ad aeternam mereamur pervenire laetitiam. Per eumdem Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

Confirm, o Lord, in our minds, we beseech You, the mysteries of the true faith, that we who confess Him Who was conceived of a Virgin to be true God and man, may deserve to arrive at eternal joy, by the power of His saving resurrection. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Preface of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutare, nos tibi semper et ubique gratias agere : Domine, Sancte Pater omnipotens aeterne Deus : Et Te in annunciationem Beatae Mariae semper Virginis collaudare, benedicere et praedicare. Quae et Unigenitum Tuum Sancti Spiritus obumbratione concepit : et, virginitatis gloria permanente, lumen aeternum mundo effudit, Jesum Christum, Dominum nostrum. Per quem majestatem Tuam laudant Angeli, adorant Dominationes, tremunt Potestates. Caeli caelorumque Virtutes ac beata Seraphim socia exsultatione concelebrant. Cum quibus et nostras voces ut admitti jubeas, deprecamur, supplici confessione dicentes.

English translation

It is truly right and just, and availing unto our salvation, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, o Holy Lord, Father Almighty, Everlasting God, and on the Annunciation of the Blessed Mary ever Virgin, should praise, bless and proclaim You. For she conceived Your only begotten Son by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, and losing not the glory of her virginity, gave to the world the everlasting Light, Jesus Christ Our Lord. Through Whom the Angels praise Your majesty, the Dominions worship it, and the Powers are in awe. The heavens and the heavenly hosts, and the blessed Seraphim join together in celebrating their joy. With these we pray to You joining our voices also, while we say with lowly praise.

Communion

Isaiah 7 : 14

Ecce Virgo concipiet et pariet Filium : et vocabitur Nomen Ejus Emmanuel.

English translation

Behold a Virgin shall conceive and bring forth a Son, and His Name shall be called Emmanuel.

Post-Communion Prayer

Gratiam Tuam, quaesumus, Domine : mentibus nostris infunde : ut qui, Angelo nuntiate, Christi Filii Tui incarnationem cognovimus; per passionem Ejus et crucem, ad resurrectionis gloriam perducamur. Per eumdem Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

Pour forth, we beseech You, o Lord, Your grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ, Your Son was made known by the message of an Angel, may, by His Passion and Cross, be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

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(Usus Antiquior) Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Double I Classis) – Tuesday, 25 March 2025 : Holy Gospel

Liturgical Colour : White

Sequentia Sancti Evangelii secundum Lucam – Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke

Luke 1 : 26-38

In illo tempore : Missus est Angelus Gabriel a Deo in civitatem Galilaeae, cui nomen Nazareth, ad Virginem desponsatam viro, cui nomen erat Joseph, de domo David, et nomen Virginis Maria.

Et ingressus Angelus ad eam, dixit : Ave, gratia plena; Dominus tecum : benedicta tu in mulieribus. Quae cum audisset, turbata est in sermone ejus : et cogitabat, qualis esset ista salutatio.

Et ait Angelus ei : Ne timeas, Maria, invenisti enim gratiam apud Deum : ecce, concipies in utero et paries filium, et vocabis Nomen Ejus Jesum. Hic erit magnus, et Filius Altissimi vocabitur, et dabit illi Dominus Deus sedem David, patris Ejus : et regnabit in domo Jacob in aeternum, et regni Ejus non erit finis.

Dixit autem Maria ad Angelum : Quomodo fiet istud, quoniam virum non cognosco? Et respondens Angelus, dixit ei : Spiritus Sanctus superveniet in te, et virtus Altissimi obumbrabit tibi. Ideoque et quod nascetur ex te Sanctum, vocabitur Filius Dei.

Et ecce, Elisabeth, cognata tua, et ipsa concepit filiumin senectute sua : et hic mensis sextus est illi, quae vocatur sterilis : quia non erit impossibile apud Deum omne verbum. Dixit autem Maria : Ecce ancilla Domini, fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum.

English translation

At that time, the Angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.

And the Angel being come in, said unto her, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women.” Having heard this, she was troubled at his saying and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be.

And the Angel said to her, “Do not fear, Mary, for you have found grace with God. Behold you shall conceive in your womb and shall bring forth a Son, and you shall call His Name Jesus. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Most High, the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of David His father, and He shall reign in the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end.”

And Mary said to the Angel, “How shall this be done, because I do not know any man?” And the Angel answering said to her, “The Holy Spirit shall come upon you, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow you. And therefore also the Holy One which shall be born of you shall be called the Son of God.”

“And behold your cousin Elizabeth, she also had conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren, because no word shall be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to your word.”