Click the PDF below for a detailed Liturgical Calendar for March - April 2024

March 2024

• Please include the following in the Prayers of the Faithful:
• For Archbishop Jose Gomez, that he may lead us to a more faithful living of the Gospel, we pray to the Lord.

• On this Sunday, the First Scrutiny may be celebrated for the catechumens preparing for the Sacraments of Christian Initiation at the Easter Vigil (see RCIA, nos. 150-156.)
• If the scrutiny is celebrated, it takes place after the homily. 
• The readings for the particular Mass at which the scrutiny is celebrated uses the Cycle A readings: the Samaritan woman (RCIA, 146). 
• If the 3rd Sunday of Lent is celebrated without the scrutiny, then the readings are taken from Year B.
  

• The color violet or rose is used. 
• Instrumental music is permitted.
• The altar may be decorated with flowers.
• The Second Scrutiny may be celebrated.
• The readings are taken from Year A (31): the Man Born Blind. 
• If the 4th Sunday of Lent is celebrated, then the readings are taken from Year B.

• The Third Scrutiny may be celebrated.
• The readings are taken from Year A (34): the Raising of Lazarus. 
• If the 5th Sunday of Lent is celebrated, then the readings are taken from Year B.
• The practice of covering crosses and images throughout the church may be observed. Crosses are covered until Good Friday, but images remain covered until the beginning of the Easter Vigil

• Vestments Color: White
• The Mass is proper (including the Preface: "The Mission of St. Joseph").
• Gloria is sung or said.
• Lenten Gospel Acclamation is still used. 
• Creed is recited.
• Order for the Blessing of St. Joseph's Table. See Book of Blessings, nos. 1679-1700.
• Today also commemorates the 11th Anniversary of the Beginning of the Petrine Ministry of His Holiness, Pope Francis.

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Holy Week 2024

• Ritual Masses are prohibited this week and weddings outside Mass are discouraged. 
• On Good Friday and Holy Saturday, the sacraments are not celebrated. 
• Funeral Masses are permitted on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of Holy Week.  

• The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord is usually celebrated on March 25; however Holy Week takes precedence. Solemnities still have great importance in the life of the Church, so instead of omitting it on March 25, it is transferred to the Monday of the Second Sunday of Easter, April 8.

• The Chrism Mass will be celebrated on Monday of Holy Week at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels at 7:00 PM. No other services should be scheduled on this evening in the Archdiocese. 
• Each parish is required to identify one individual who will be responsible for picking up the newly blessed and consecrated oils following the Chrism Mass 
• Please contact the Cathedral Parish Office directly for more information on the Holy Oil Distribution (213) 680-5200.

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April 2024

• The first eight days of the Easter Season make up the octave of Easter and are celebrated as solemnities of the Lord (Ceremonial of Bishops, 373). 
• The Gloria is to be sung or recited during the octave of Easter. 
• The Sequence is optional during the days of the octave (GIRM, 64). 
• The double Alleluia is added to the dismissal formulary during the octave of Easter (Easter Vigil, 69).
• Paschal Candle should be lit.
• Consider using the Sprinkling Rite instead of the Penitential Act. 
• Creed is not said. 
• Preface I of Easter is used. 
• Solemn Blessing #6 for Easter Time may be used during the octave. 

• The celebration of Divine Mercy flows from the Church’s most important day, which is Easter Sunday, thus the faithful should be able to celebrate and recognize it as such. Devotional practices to the Divine Mercy may not take place during Mass.  
• On this Sunday of Divine Mercy, prayers for the plenary indulgence that are offered today should be led by priests after Masses.  
• For more information on Divine Mercy:
  https://www.usccb.org/prayer-worship/liturgical-year/easter   
• Gloria is said or sung.
• Creed is said. 
• Since it is the last day of the octave, the sequence may be sung. 
• Use Preface I of Easter with Eucharistic Prayer I 
• Solemn Blessing #6 for Easter Time may be used with double Alleluia. 

• Solemnity transferred from March 25, 2024 (Monday of Holy Week) to April 8
• Prayer texts are proper and taken from March 25.
• Sprinkling Rite may be used instead of Penitential Act.
• Gloria is sung.
• Creed is said. 
• Solemn Blessing #15 may be used. 
• A Marian image of the Annunciation may be decorated and reverenced with incense. 

• Prayer texts are proper and taken from Third Sunday of Easter.
• Sprinkling Rite may be used instead of Penitential Act.
• Gloria is said or sung.
• Creed is said.
• No double Alleluia in the final dismissal. 

• For vocations to the priesthood and religious life, just as Christ gathered his disciples and handed them his ministry of sharing the Good News, may many more people hear and respond to the call of Christ, We pray to the Lord.
  
• Para que Cristo, que reunió a sus discípulos a su alrededor con el fin de asociarlos a su predicación evangélica, suscite también en nuestros días servidores de su Evangelio por medio de la vocación al sacerdocio y los órdenes religiosos, Roguemos al Señor.

• Prayer texts are proper and found in the Proper of Saints
• Gloria is said or sung.
• Creed is omitted. 
• Consider using the sprinkling rite on this feast day.
• Use Preface II of the Apostles
• Solemn Blessing #17 may be used. 

Holy Week 2024 Guidelines

Chrism Mass & Holy Oils 2024 Information