September 2025

• Liturgical Color: Red
• Common of Martyrs
• Preface of Martyrs

• September 1 - October 4
• The homily on this day, as well as an intention in the Universal Prayer, should call to mind this observance.
• The Vatican has provided preliminary English and Spanish translations of “Mass for the Care of Creation” recently approved by Pope Leo XIV. As soon as we have the official translations, we will make them available. 
• Message from Pope Leo XIV - Click Here
• An online translation of the new Mass formulary may not be used.   
  • A bulletin insert in English and Spanish may be found at www.USCCB.org/sjo/our-common-home-and-transforming-power-liturgy.

• Mass for the Sanctification of Human Labor (No. 26 A or B) may be used.
• Readings (Lectionary nos. 907-911).
• Labor Day Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels - click here.

• Liturgical Color: White 
• Common of Dedication
• Preface of Dedication II
• 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. 
    • Gloria is said or sung
    • Creed is said.
  • 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. 
    • Gloria is said or sung. 
    • No Creed.
  • Vestments: White
  • Readings: 701-706 (3rdgs)

• Vestments: White
  
• Mass Proper: Common of Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM)
• Gloria is said or sung.
• Creed is not said.
• Preface of BVM

• In 2021, Pope Francis established the celebration of the World Day for Grandparents and Elderly on the fourth Sunday of July, near the liturgical memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus (July 26). 
• The theme for the 2025 celebration selected by the pope is “Blessed are those who have not lost hope” (cf. Sir 14:2).
• The U.S. bishops have approved moving the celebration of the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly to the first weekend after Labor Day—September 6 and 7, 2025—to align with National Grandparents (and the Elderly) Day in the United States, as many local communities, schools, and parishes have celebrated for some time.
• Pastoral Note: You may want to invite grandparents or the elderly people to offer up the gifts of bread and wine during the Offertory.
• See Book of Blessings Ch. 12 "Order of Blessing of Elderly People Confined to their Homes." Section B "Order of Blessing within Mass."

• Liturgical Color: White
• Mass proper is found in the Proper of Saints
• Gloria is said or sung.
• Creed is not said.
• Reading: Lectionary no. 636
• Preface I or II of the BVM is used. 
• Solemn Blessing no. 15 may be used. 

• In 2016, dioceses across the country were invited to observe a Day of Prayer for Peace in Our Communities on September 9, the feast day of St. Peter Claver.
• Some communities continue to observe this day, and resources may be found at https://www.usccb.org/committees/ad-hoc-committee-against-racism/combatting-racism-parish-resources

• Votive Mass for those in Public Office #22 OR Votive Mass for the Preservation of Peace and Justice #30 may be used. 

• Both Saturday evening Mass of anticipation and Sunday Masses celebrate the feast.
• Liturgical Color: Red
  
• Mass proper found in Proper of Saints
• Gloria is said or sung.
• Creed is said. 
• Preface 1 of the Passion of the Lord is used.
• Solemn Blessing #5 may be used. 
• A Cross should be displayed in a prominent location in the church. You may arrange flowers or white or gold cloths at the foot of the Cross to represent the festive nature of the celebration.
• Adorn the Church processional cross. 

• Liturgical Color: Red
• 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.

• This year's theme is, “Always be ready to give an explanation…for a reason for your hope” ~ 1 Pet 3:15.
• Click here for additional information
• Pastors may give a special blessing to the parish catechists during one of the Sunday masses. See Book of Blessings, Ch. 4.

• Priesthood Sunday, celebrated on the last Sunday of September annually, is a special day set aside to honor priests 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.

• Liturgical Color: White
• Mass Proper found in the Proper of the Saints
• Gloria is said or sung.
• Creed is not said.
• Prayer Over the People no. 28 may be used.

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OCTOBER 2024

• Blessing of Animals may take place.
  • See Book of Blessings, Ch. 25
• Suggested Hymns
  • Prayer of St. Francis (OCP)/ Make Me a Channel of Your Peace (GIA), Sebastian Temple
  • Canticle of the Sun (Marty Haugen)

• Liturgical Color: Red
• Gloria is sung or said.
• No Creed.
• Solemn Blessing for Apostles #17 may be used.  
• In honor of St. Luke, the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick may be offered during the Mass. 
• On this day or the Sunday before a special blessing may be given to those working in the medical field. 
• Pastoral Suggestion: Parishes may invite healthcare workers to their weekday Mass and offer them a special blessing. See below.
• Suggested Prayer: 
  • Almighty God, whose beloved Son Jesus Christ, went about doing good, and healing all manner of illness and disease: continue, we beseech you, your gracious work among us. Grant to physicians, nurses and all health care professionals wisdom, skill, sympathy and patience; keep them safe and preserve them from all contagion. Cheer, heal and sanctify the sick, and send your blessing on all who care for them, Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
    

• Collect for St. John Paul II, Pope: O God, who are rich in mercy and who willed that Saint John Paul the Second should preside as Pope over your universal Church, grant we pray, that instructed b his teaching, we may open our hearts to the saving grace of Christ, the sole Redeemer of mankind. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. 

• Liturgical Color: Red
• Gloria is said or sung.
• No Creed.
• Solemn Blessing for Apostles #17 may be used.  

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Clarification on Liturgical Dates for 2025 in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles

• Funeral Masses are permitted.
• Ritual Mass not permitted (Weddings, Quinceañeras, etc.).
• On Saturday evening, any normally scheduled anticipated Masses should be for Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed

• When November 2 falls on a Sunday, the Mass celebrated is that of the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed
• Gloria is omitted.
• Creed is said.

• No Vigil Mass for the Immaculate Conception on Sunday, Dec. 7. All Masses for Dec. 7 will be celebrated as the 2nd Sunday of Advent. 
• Funeral Mass not permitted
• Ritual Mass not permitted

• The Funeral Mass is not permitted on solemnities of obligation, on Holy Thursday and the Easter Triduum, and on the Sundays of Advent, Lent, and the Easter season (Order of Christian Funerals, no. 178). 
• The Funeral Liturgy Outside the Mass may be used on these days.

NEW RITUAL COMING FOR

THE ORDER OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK AND OF THEIR PASTORAL CARE

• The Books are available for pre-order.
• It will be shipped on January 1, 2026. 
• First use is February 11, feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.
• Mandatory use is April 5, 2026, Easter Sunday.