March 2025

• The Gloria is not sung or said.
• The Alleluia is not sung or said.
• The Creed is prayed.
• The Roman Missal (3rd edition, 2011) provides proper Prefaces for each of the Sundays in Lent.
• The Prayer over the People before the final blessing is obligatory.

• On this Sunday, the First Scrutiny of the Elect may be celebrated in preparation for the Sacraments of Christian Initiation at the Easter Vigil (see OCIA, nos. 150-156).
• The Scrutinies should take place within the Ritual Masses for the Celebration of the Scrutinies (OCIA, 146).
• During the Intercessions for the elect, the usual intentions for the Church and the whole world may be added, then the Universal Prayer (Prayer of the Faithful) is omitted during Mass (OCIA, 153). 
• The Rite of Handing On of the Creed takes place in the presence of the community of the faithful after the Liturgy of the Word during the 3rd week of Lent (weekday evening Mass, Saturday morning Mass, or in a Liturgy of the Word) following the First Scrutiny (OCIA, 157-163). 
• In this mass or ritual, those preparing for baptism (or those already baptized who have little catechetical formation) receive the Creed. 

• The color violet or rose is used. 
• Instrumental music is permitted.
• The altar may be decorated with flowers.
• The Gloria is not sung or said.
• The Alleluia is not sung or said.
• The Creed is prayed.
• The Roman Missal (3rd edition, 2011) provides proper Prefaces for each of the Sundays in Lent.
• The Prayer over the People before the final blessing is obligatory.
• The Second Scrutiny is celebrated in preparation for the Baptism of the catechumens who are to be admitted to the Sacraments of Christian Initiation at the Easter Vigil. 
• Proper Mass of the day (Fourth Sunday of Lent) or from the Ritual Masses: “The Scrutinies." The readings are taken from Year A (31): the Man Born Blind.
• The Scrutinies should take place within the Ritual Masses for the Celebration of the Scrutinies (OCIA, 146).
• During the Intercessions for the elect, the usual intentions for the Church and the whole world may be added, then the Universal Prayer (Prayer of the Faithful) is omitted during Mass (OCIA, 167).

• 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.

• “In the Diocese of the United States, the practice of covering crosses and images throughout the church from this Sunday may be observed. Crosses remain covered until the end of the celebration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday, but images remain covered until the beginning of the Easter Vigil” (Roman Missal, Introduction to the Fifth Sunday of Lent).
• The proper Mass of the day (Fifth Sunday of Lent) is used or the ritual Mass (“The Scrutinies”).
  • The Gloria is not sung or said.
  • The Alleluia is not sung or said.
  • The Roman Missal (3rd edition, 2011) provides proper Prefaces for each of the Sundays in Lent.
  • The Prayer over the People before the final blessing is obligatory.
• The Third Scrutiny is celebrated in preparation for the Baptism of the catechumens who are to be admitted to the Sacraments of Christian Initiation at the Easter Vigil. The readings are taken from Year A (34): the Raising of Lazarus. 
• The Scrutinies should take place within the Ritual Masses for the Celebration of the Scrutinies (OCIA, 146).
• During the Intercessions for the elect, the usual intentions for the Church and the whole world may be added, then the Universal Prayer (Prayer of the Faithful) is omitted during Mass (OCIA, 174).
  
• The Handing of the Lord's Prayer takes place in the presence of the community of the faithful after the Liturgy of the Word during the 5th week of Lent (weekday evening Mass, Saturday morning Mass, or in a Liturgy of the Word) following the First Scrutiny (OCIA, 178-184). In this mass or ritual, those preparing for baptism (or those already baptized who have little catechetical formation) receive the "Our Father."

• Vestments: White
• Prayer texts are proper and taken from March 25. 
• The Lenten readings are NOT used today, but the proper readings for this solemnity.
• Sprinkling Rite may be used instead of Penitential Act.
• Gloria is sung.
• Creed is said. Today, all genuflect at the words "and was incarnate." Inform the congregation to genuflect at this time.
• Solemn Blessing #15 may be used. 
• A Marian image of the Annunciation may be decorated and reverenced with incense. 

+++++ +++++ +++++

Holy Week 2026

• 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 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.

April 2026

• Last day of Lent - Lent concludes with the celebration of the Lord's Supper.
• Morning Prayer: Pss II Season weekday

• 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 and remains by the ambo until Pentecost. 
• 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.

LITURGICAL FORMATION

• We are now taking inquiries for May - December 2026
  • Saturdays (9am-3pm) - OPEN
  • Weeknights (7-9pm) - OPEN
• Please contact the following people for inquiries:
  • Adrian Aralar (Liturgy Formation in English)
    • 213-637-7547
    • aaralar@la-archdiocese.org 
  • Victor Wheeler (Sacred Music)
    • 213-637-7054 
    • vwheeler@la-archdiocese.org 
  • Leticia Perez (Liturgy Formation in Spanish)
    • 213-637-7595
    • lperez@la-archdiocese.org

San Fernando Pastoral Region

San Gabriel Pastoral Region

San Pedro Pastoral Region

Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region