Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As we approach Holy Week, this time demands much from us: going to rehearsals, coordinating volunteers, composing scripts, decorating the church, having ample supply of liturgical items, finalizing flower arrangements, and attending to countless practical details. All of these efforts and details are important, and your dedication is deeply appreciated.

Yet, the liturgy is not merely a performance or an event to be organized—it is a sacred encounter with the living God. The liturgy allows us to enter more profoundly into the mystery of Jesus Christ, to let ourselves be transformed by Him, and to allow the Word of God to shape our hearts and minds. Our task is not only to execute the ceremonies with precision but to immerse ourselves personally and communally in the unfolding of salvation: the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord.

This means that every preparation should serve as a means of drawing us—and those entrusted to our ministry—closer to Jesus Christ. We are called to move beyond logistics and aesthetics to an encounter with the Lord, who suffers, dies, and rises for our sake.
 
We encourage each of you, therefore, to enter into this holy time with prayerful hearts, mindful that our ministry is first and foremost a participation in the sacred mysteries we proclaim and celebrate. Prepare the liturgies with care, yes, but with the awareness that the ultimate goal is to help every member of the faithful—and ourselves—to experience the profound love of Christ made present in these holy days.

Thank you for your generosity, your dedication, and your service. May this Holy Week be a time of transformation in the Lord for all of us, and may our ministries lead the faithful to experience the joy and hope of the Resurrection.

In Christ’s service,

May 2025

May 1
St. Joseph the Worker (Optional memorial) - white

• Prayers are taken from the Proper of Saints.
• The following prayer of the faithful may be added:
  • Father of all humanity, do not forget what your hands have made, grant that all who work may have secure employment and a fitting standard of living, We pray to the Lord.
  • Padre de toda la humanidad, te pedimos no olvides lo que tus manos han creado, concede que todos los que trabajamos mantengamos empleo seguro y un modo de vida digno, Roguemos al Señor.

May 2
St. Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (Memorial) - white

May 3
5th Sunday of Easter

• Paschal Candle is lit.
• Sprinkling Rite may take place.
• Gloria is sung. 
• Creed is said.
• There is NO double Alleluia in the final dismissal.

May 4 - 9
Easter Weekday

May 8
1st Anniversary of the Election of Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost as Pope Leo XIV

• For Pope Leo XIV, on the first anniversary of his election, that the Holy Spirit may continue to guide and strengthen him in his ministry as shepherd of the Church, granting him wisdom, courage, and compassion as he leads God’s people in faith, unity, and peace, we pray to the Lord.
• Por el Papa León XIV, en el primer aniversario de su elección, para que el Espíritu Santo continúe guiándolo y fortaleciéndolo en su ministerio como pastor de la Iglesia, concediéndole sabiduría, valor y compasión mientras guía al pueblo de Dios en la fe, la unidad y la paz, roguemos al Señor.  

May 10
Sixth Sunday of Easter

• Paschal Candle is lit.
• Sprinkling Rite may take place.
• Gloria is sung. 
• Creed is said.
• There is NO double Alleluia in the final dismissal.
  

Mother's Day
This secular observance must in no way diminish the primary focus of this Sunday as the celebration of the paschal mystery. However, you may include a special intention for mothers.
 
The Book of Blessings, Ch. 55 has a special blessing to be used, and the following petition may be added to the Universal Prayer (Prayer of the Faithful)

• English - For all mothers, that God may bless them with strength, health, and joy as they continue to nurture their families in love; we pray to the Lord.
• Español - Por todas las madres, para que Dios las bendiga con fortaleza, salud y alegría mientras continúan cuidando a sus familias con amor, roguemos al Señor. 
• English - For mothers who are ill, lonely, or weary, that Christ the Divine Healer may comfort them and renew their strength, we pray to the Lord.
• Español - Por las madres que están enfermas, solas o cansadas, para que Cristo, Médico Divino, las consuele y renueve sus fuerzas, roguemos al Señor. 

May 11 - 12
Easter Weekday

May 13
Easter Weekday
Our Lady of Fatima (Optional Memorial) - white

NOTE:
In the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord is transferred to the following Sunday, May 17, and will be celebrated on that day. Therefore, the Feast of St. Matthias is to be celebrated on Thursday, May 14.

May 14
St. Matthias, Apostle (Feast) - red

• Prayers are proper and found in the Proper of Saints
• Sprinkling rite may be used.
• Gloria is said or sung.
• Creed is not said. 
• May use the Preface of the Apostles
• Solemn Blessing for the Apostles #17 may be used.

May 15
St. Isidore the Farmer (Optional memorial) - white

• Prayers from the Book of Blessings may be used. 
  • Chapter 26 Blessing of Fields and Flock
  • Chapter 27 Blessing of Seeds at Planting Time

May 16
Easter Weekday

21st Annual Archdiocesan Filipino Marian Celebration Santacruzan-May Crowning 2026
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
9:00am Pre-Liturgy
10:00am Holy Mass
Sponsored by the Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region Filipino Ministry
For more information, click here.

(Masses after 4pm)
Vigil Mass for the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord - white

• Our ecclesiastical province (and most dioceses in USA) has transferred this Solemnity from Thursday, May 14 to Sunday, May 17.
• The Mass is celebrated this evening either before or after Evening Prayer I of the Solemnity.
• Paschal Candle is lit.
• White Vestments are used.
• Mass formulary to be used: At the Vigil Mass
• Readings (Vigil Mass): 58: Acts 1-11; Ps 47:2-3, 6-9; Eph 1:17-23 or Heb 9:24-28; 10, 19-23; Lk 24:46-53
• Sprinkling Rite may take place.
• Gloria is sung. 
• Creed is said.
• Preface I or II of the Ascension may be used. 
• Solemn Blessing #7 may be used. 
• There is NO double Alleluia in the final dismissal.

May 17
Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord - white

• Same as above, but the Mass formulary to be used is "At the Mass during the day (Sunday)"

May 18
1st Anniversary of the Installation of Pope Leo XIV, Supreme Pastor of the Universal Church

• For Pope Leo XIV, on this first anniversary of his installation, that the Lord may continue to strengthen him with wisdom, health, and courage as he shepherds the Church, leading with a servant’s heart and guiding all toward unity in God, we pray to the Lord.
• Por el Papa León XIV, en este primer aniversario de su instalación: para que el Señor continúe fortaleciéndolo con sabiduría, salud y valentía mientras pastorea la Iglesia, liderando con un corazón serivicial y guiando a todos hacia la unidad en Dios, roguemos al Señor. 

May 18 - 23
Easter Weekday

• The weekdays after the Ascension through the Saturday before Pentecost is a time of preparation for the coming of the Holy Spirit.
• During these days the hymn, Veni Creator Spiritus, may be sung at Mass and Liturgy of the Hours.

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SOLEMNITY OF PENTECOST

Please click on the liturgical calendar PDF above for a DETAILED explanation of the Celebration for the Pentecost Vigil and Sunday Masses. 

May 23
Vigil of Pentecost (Extended Form)

• Parishes are invited to celebrate the Vigil of Pentecost on Saturday, May 23.
• It is a prolonged celebration of Mass in the form of a Vigil, whose character is not baptismal as in the Easter Vigil, but is one of urgent prayer, after the example of the apostles and disciples, who persevered together in prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, as they awaited the Holy Spirit.

May 24
Pentecost Sunday

• The Pentecost Sequence, “Veni Sancte Spiritus,” is obligatory on Pentecost Sunday and may be omitted at the Vigil. It is fitting to use the sprinkling rite on this day and the Paschal candle is to be lit at all Masses. The Paschal Candle is moved to the baptistery after the last mass or Vespers, which concludes the Easter Season.
• Sacraments of Initiation can take place at any Sunday during Easter. However, due to the nature of its celebration, Pentecost Sunday is recommended for the celebration of Confirmation for adults (when faculties by bishop have been obtained).  
• The double alleluia is added to the final blessing. 
• Ordinary Time begins after Evening Prayer tonight.
• The paschal candle should be relocated, after the last Mass of Pentecost, to its permanent location at the baptismal font. Light it for sacramental celebrations including baptisms, and of course, funerals.

May 25
Monday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time

The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church (Obligatory Memorial)

• Mass Proper are taken from the Votive Mass for the Blessed Virgin Mary, #10/B. “Our Lady, Mother of the Church.” 
• A set of proper (i.e., mandatory) readings has been assigned for this memorial (no. 572 A). 
• The readings for this memorial, and proper text for Liturgy of the Hours can be found here.

Memorial Day (USA)

• The Mass for the Preservation of Peace and Justice #30A or B may be used. 
• Order for Visiting a Cemetery may be used, which is found in the Book of Blessings, Chapter 57.
• You may incorporate the intentions of those who have died in service to their country in today's Universal Prayer (Prayer of the Faithful).

May 26
St. Philip Neri, Priest (Memorial) - white

May 27 - 30
Weekdays of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time

May 31
Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

• Mass texts and preface are proper.
• Gloria is sung.
• Creed is said. 
• Solemn Blessing #9 may be used.