March 2025
March is the month dedicated to St. Joseph
March 2 - 7
Lenten Weekday
March 8
3rd Sunday of Lent
For the Mass
- 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.
For the Scrutiny
- 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.
March 9 - 14
Lenten Weekday
March 15
4th Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday)
Laetare means “rejoice!” It is a joyful anticipation of Easter. “
- 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).
March 16 - 18 & 20 - 21
Lenten Weekday
March 17
St. Patrick, Bishop - optional memorial
** Secondary Patron of the Los Angeles Archdiocese**
The Mass for the Lent weekday is to be used, but the priest may offer the collect of the saint (GIRM, 355).
March 19
Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- 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.
22 March 2026
Fifth Sunday of Lent
- “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."
March 23-24
Lenten Weekday
March 25
Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
- 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.
March 26
25th Anniversary of Episcopal Ordination for Archbishop Jose Gomez
March 26-28
Lenten Weekday