Liturgical Calendar

August 2023

• Priests may want to read the letter of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI proclaiming a year of priest in 2009. Click here to read.
• This prayer may be said on this day:
  • Gracious and loving God, we thank you for the gift of our priests.
    Through them, we experience your presence in the sacraments.
    Help our priests to be strong in their vocation.
    Set their souls on fire with love for your people.
    Grant them the wisdom, understanding, and strength they need to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
    Inspire them with the vision of your Kingdom.
    Give them the words they need to spread the Gospel.
    Allow them to experience joy in their ministry.
    Help them to become instruments of your divine grace.
    We ask this through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns as our Eternal Priest. Amen.
    
    

• The Mass of the Feast of the Transfiguration takes precedence over the Sunday and Anticipatory Masses of the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time
• Readings can be found here from the USCCB website.
• Vestments: White
• Gloria is sung.
• Creed is said. 

• For an end to the violence perpetrated by harsh words, deadly weapons, or cold indifference. May our homes, our nation, and countries around the world become havens of peace, let us pray to the Lord. 

• Patron of deacons.
• Thank you to all the deacons for your service and ministry to the Church!
• Vestments: Red
• Gloria is sung or said.
  
• Resources for deacons available, here: 
  • https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/diaconate/faqs
  • https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/the-deacon-at-mass
• This prayer may be said:
  • Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is sanctified and governed, mercifully hear our humble supplications for all deacons; that by the gift of your grace, all, in their various appointments, may faithfully serve you and have the strength to be firm witnesses of the Gospel to the world. Amen.

• Vigil Masses may be celebrated on August 14 after 4pm.
• Vestment: White
• Gloria is said or sung.
• Creed is said.

• Vestment: Red
• Gloria is said or sung
• No Creed

• Vestment: Red
• No Gloria
• No Creed

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SEPTEMBER 2022

• Pope Francis established this observance in September 2015 following a similar observance in the Eastern Church. 
• The homily on this day, as well as an intention in the Universal Prayer, should call to mind this observance.
• Click here for additional resources for Prayers to Care of Creation can be found on the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:  

• This commemoration is observed all throughout the Archdiocese of Los Angeles with the celebration of the Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Hours (in all places). 
• Inside the Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels, this observance is a Solemnity. 
• Outside of the Cathedral, this observance is a Feast. The Orations and Preface are taken from Common of the Dedication of a Church, II. Outside the Church that was dedicated. 
• Vestments: White 
• The Gloria is said or sung.
  

• The U.S. bishops have approved the transfer of the celebration of World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly in the U.S. to the first weekend after Labor Day in September to coincide with National Grandparents (and the Elderly) Day in the United States as many local communities, schools, and parishes have celebrated for some time.  
• More information can be found HERE.

• Gloria is said or sung
• Vestments: White
• Common of Blessed Virgin Mary is used

• Vestment: White
• Gloria is said or sung.

• Vestment: Red
• Gloria is said or sung.

• This year's theme is, "Come to me all you who labor and are burdened." Matthew 11:28
  
• Click here for additional information.
• Pastors can give a special blessing to the parish catechists during one of the Sunday Masses. See Book of Blessings, Ch. 4. 

• Click here for the suggested readings for today's Memorial. 
• However, readings for the Memorial may also be taken from the Common of Martyrs, #713-718.

• Vestment: Red
• Gloria is said or sung.

• Priesthood Sunday is a special day set aside to honor priesthood in the United States. 
• It is a day to reflect upon and affirm the role of the priesthood in the life of the Church as a central one. 
• This nationwide event is coordinated and sponsored by the US Council of Serra International. 

1. For the Clergy: May our pope, bishops and priests continue to minister in humble justice and faithful service. Let us pray to the Lord.
2. For nations and their governments: May they hear the call to work toward peace, justice and equity between one another and for the people they serve. Let us pray to the Lord.
3. For all who have suffered abuse: May those who have suffered abuse find strength, hope and peace. Let us pray to the Lord.
4. For an increase in religious vocations: May men and women respond to the Christ’s call to serve the Church in the priesthood, diaconate or religious life. Let us pray to the Lord.

• This day of prayer is observed on the last Sunday in September, when Catholics around the world are called upon to remember those displaced by conflict and persecution. 
• Click here for more resources.

• He is the patron saint of Filipino youth, the Philippines, people working overseas, and altar servers.
  

• Vestment: White
• Gloria is said or sung.

Book of Blessings

• Chapter 4 - Blessings that Pertain to Catechesis
• Chapter 5 - Blessing for Students & Teachers
• Chapter 14 - Blessing for Schools

Liturgical Environment

1. The number of Masses scheduled is based on actual need.
2. The Lectionary, Book of the Gospels, and the Roman Missal are in good condition and are suitable for the celebration of the liturgy. (General Instruction of the Roman Missal [GIRM], 349)
3. The vessels for the Eucharist are of good quality, made for liturgical use, not easily broken (i.e. not made from glass, earthenware, or clay), and blessed before use. (GIRM, 329; Redemptionis Sacramentum [RS], 117 and 118)
4. Liturgical vesture is of good quality and worn appropriately. (GIRM, 335-347; RS, 122-128)
5. Vestments are properly stored and regularly cleaned.
6. The Blessed Sacrament is reserved in a chapel that is noble, prominent, and suitable for prayer. (GIRM, 314-316; RS, 130)
7. The liturgical environment is clean and well maintained. (GIRM, 289, 292, 293)
8. The liturgical environment is enhanced by appropriate decoration in the sanctuary area, the assembly area, and outside the church building. (GIRM, 289, 292, 293; Built of Living Stones [BLS], 122-129)
9. Floral decorations show moderation (GIRM, 305), noble beauty (Sacrosanctum Concilium [SC], 124) and do not obstruct or detract from the liturgical action.
10. Floral decorations may be around the altar table rather than on the altar itself (GIRM, 305) and only what is required for the celebration of the Mass is placed on the altar table: namely, from the beginning of the celebration until the proclamation of the Gospel, the Book of the Gospels; then from the Presentation of the Gifts until the purification of the vessels, the chalice with the paten, a ciborium, if necessary, and, finally, the corporal, the purificator, the pall, and the Missal (GIRM, 306).
11. Either on the altar or near it, there is a cross, with the figure of Christ crucified upon it, a cross clearly visible to the assembled people. Additionally, the cross should remain near the altar even outside of liturgical celebrations, so as to call to mind for the faithful the saving Passion of the Lord (GIRM, 308).
12. The choir is positioned with respect to the arrangement of each church so that its nature may be clearly evident, namely as part of the assembled community of the faithful undertaking a specific function. The positioning also helps the choir to exercise this function more easily and allow each choir member full sacramental participation in the Mass in a convenient manner (GIRM, 312).
13. The ambo, altar, baptismal font, and presider’s chair are designed and placed appropriately. (GIRM, 288-318; BLS, 56-69)
14. Images of the Lord, of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and of the Saints, are displayed for veneration by the faithful and are arranged so as to lead the faithful toward the mysteries of faith celebrated. Care, therefore, is taken that their number is not increased indiscriminately, and moreover that they are arranged in proper order so as to not draw the attention of the faithful to themselves and away from the celebration itself. There is only one image of any given Saint (GIRM, 318).
15. The lighting and sound systems are adequate and fully functional. (BLS, 221-225; 228-233)
16. There are enough programs/hymnals provided for all members of the assembly.
17. The bread and wine used for the Eucharist truly have the appearance of food and are made of appropriate material. (GIRM, 320-322; RS, 48)
18. Enough bread and wine are prepared for the faithful to receive Communion consecrated at the same Mass. (GIRM, 85; RS, 49)
19. There is an atmosphere of prayer and silence before Mass, both in the church and in the sacristy. (GIRM, 45)
20. The configuration of the church invites full, active, and conscious participation of the faithful, conveys the image of the gathered assembly, and facilitates the liturgical action. (GIRM, 288 and 294; BLS, 49-53)
21. The church is fully accessible to those with special needs. (BLS, 42)