Presider’s Page for 17 April (Easter Sunday)
Opening Comment
This Easter morning we celebrate the central mystery of our faith, the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. He suffered on the cross and died for us, but now he is risen!
Introductory Rites: Filled with the spirit of Easter joy, let us proclaim the might and glory of God, as we sing (say) Glory to God in the highest …
Alternative Opening Prayer (1998 ICEL Missal)
God of undying life,
by your mighty hand
you raised up Jesus from the grave
and appointed him judge of the living and the dead.
Bestow upon those baptised into his death
the power flowing from his resurrection,
that we may proclaim near and far
the pardon and peace you give us.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, firstborn from the dead,
who lives with you now and always in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
Introduction to the Scripture Readings
Acts 10:34, 37-43 —Peter sums up the whole Paschal Mystery – the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.
Colossians 3:1-4 — We too can share the glory of Christ.
Or 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 — We should celebrate Easter by putting aside any trace of wickedness in us.
GOSPEL: John 20:1-9 — In John’s description of the resurrection, Mary Magdalene is the first to witness the empty tomb.
Or (at evening Mass): Luke 24:13-35 The two disciples leaving Jerusalem in disappointment recognise Jesus in the breaking of bread. He helps them understand the scriptures: their hearts burn within them in his presence.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) My brothers and sisters, let us give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love has no end! He answered the prayers of his Beloved Son: we trust he will help us in our needs too.
- That those who have been baptised this Easter may always walk in the light of Christ (pause and pray for this…) Lord, hear us.
- That all who celebrate the resurrection today may live in hope and love (pause and pray for this…) Lord, hear us.
- That we may have lasting peace in the world and an end to the cruel war in Ukraine (pause and pray for this…) Lord, hear us.
- That refugees and homeless people in Ireland may experience love and care (pause and pray for this…) Lord, hear us.
- That people who are hungry in the Third World may receive the help they need (pause and pray for this…) Lord, hear us.
- That those who sick, at home or in hospital, may know that God is close to them (pause and pray for this…) Lord, hear us.
The Presider prays for the dead: That those who have died may share the glory of the resurrection: We remember especially those who died recently (N & N) and those whose anniversaries occur (N & N) and all those who passed away since last Easter (pause and pray for this…) Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) O God our saviour and redeemer, you lead your people from defeat to triumph: hear and grant our prayers, through Christ our risen Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Filled with Easter joy, O Lord,
we offer you the sacrifice
by which your Church is wonderfully reborn
and is nourished with the food of life.
We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord.
PREFACE (Easter I)
It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
that we should always sing your glory, Lord;
but we praise you with greater joy than ever
on this Easter day
when Christ became our paschal sacrifice.
He is the true Lamb who took away the sins of the world.
By dying he destroyed our death;
by rising he restored our life.
Therefore, the universe resounds with Easter joy,
and the choirs of angels sing the endless hymn of your glory: Holy, holy, holy….
Eucharist Prayer III (With Easter Sunday interpolation)
Lord, you are holy indeed,
and all creation rightly gives you praise.
All life, all holiness comes from you
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
by the working of the Holy Spirit.
From age to age you gather a people to yourself,
so that from the rising of the sun to its setting
a pure offering may be made
to the glory of your name.
EASTER SUNDAY
And so, Lord God, on this most sacred day,
we celebrate the glorious resurrection of your Son;
and, exulting in his mighty victory over death,
we humbly pray:
by the power of your Spirit sanctify these gifts
we have brought before you,
that they may become the body + and blood
of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
at whose command we celebrate this eucharist.
On the night he was handed over to death,
he took bread and gave you thanks and praise;
he broke the bread,
gave it to his disciples, and said:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT IT:
THIS IS MY BODY, WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.
When supper was ended, he took the cup;
again he gave you thanks and praise,
gave the cup to his disciples, and said:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT:
THIS IS THE CUP OF MY BLOOD,
THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT.
IT WILL BE SHED FOR YOU AND FOR ALL,
SO THAT SINS MAY BE FORGIVEN.
DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.
The mystery of faith…..
Calling to mind, Lord God
the death your Son endured for our salvation,
his glorious resurrection and ascension into heaven,
and eagerly awaiting the day of his return,
we offer you in thanksgiving this holy and living sacrifice.
Look with favour on your Church’s offering
and see the Victim by whose sacrifice
you were pleased to reconcile us to yourself.
Grant that we who are nourished by the body and blood of your Son
may be filled with his Holy Spirit
and become one body, one spirit in Christ.
Let him make us an everlasting gift to you,
that we may share in the inheritance of your saints,
with Mary, the virgin Mother of God,
with the apostles, the martyrs, and all your saints,
on whose constant intercession we rely for help.
Lord, may this sacrifice
which has made our peace with you
advance the peace and salvation of all the world.
Strengthen in faith and love your pilgrim Church on earth:
your servant Pope Francis, our Bishop N.,
all bishops, priests, and deacons,
all ministers of your Church,
and the entire people your Son has gained for you.
Merciful Father,
hear the prayers of the family you have gathered here before you,
and unite to yourself all your children
now scattered over the face of the earth.
Welcome into your kingdom our departed brothers and sisters
and all who have left this world in your friendship.
We hope to enjoy with them your everlasting glory,
through Christ our Lord,
through whom you give the world everything that is good.
THROUGH HIM…..
Prayer after Communion
Eternal God,
watch over your Church with unfailing care,
that we who have received new life
through the paschal mystery of Christ
may come to the glory of the resurrection.
Grant this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
SOLEMN BLESSING
On this solemn feast of Easter,
having followed the Lord Jesus in his suffering,
we celebrate the joy of his resurrection.
May God the almighty bless you
and mercifully protect you from the peril of sin.
R. Amen.
May the God who restores you to eternal life
in the resurrection of Christ
complete in you the gift of immortality.
R. Amen.
Through the grace of Christ
may God lead you
to the banquet of lasting joy.
R. Amen.
Blessing, then dismissal with multiple alleluias. Happy Easter to all presiders: may you have a good rest after your labours during the Triduum.