Today’s liturgy gives us a preview of the events of Holy Week. The passion, death and resurrection of Jesus are the focus of this and every Sunday celebration.

Blessing of Palms
Almighty and eternal God,
bless + these green branches [palms] and make them holy;
and grant that we who joyfully accompany Christ the King today
may by his grace arrive one day
in the new and eternal Jerusalem,
where he lives and reigns for ever and ever.

Penitential Rite
Lord Jesus, you have shown us the way to the Father: Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you have given us the consolation of the truth: Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd, leading us into everlasting life: Lord, have mercy.

Alternative Opening Prayer (from ICEL Missal of 1998)
Almighty and eternal God,
when you sent our Saviour into the world,
you gave us all an example to follow:
in humble obedience he took upon himself a body like ours
and gave himself up to death on the cross.
In your mercy, grant us the grace
to learn from the example of his passion
and to share in the glory of his resurrection.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.

Introduction to the Scripture Readings
Isaiah 50:4-7 — This reading describes someone putting up with a lot of suffering. Our tradition teaches us that these lines apply to Jesus. Philippians 2:6-11 — In this ancient hymn to Christ, we are taught that Jesus achieved glory through suffering. Matthew 26:14 to 27:66 — This year, Matthew’s version of the Passion is read. It’s clear that he believed the Jews were to blame for the death of the Messiah; the Church today doesn’t.

BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) Let us bring our prayer to God, our strength, who makes haste to help us.

1. That Christians everywhere may have their faith renewed for Easter (pause for reflection). Lord, hear us.
2. That we may celebrate this Holy Week with deep devotion (pause for reflection). Lord, hear us.
3. That believers who face persecution may have courage (pause for reflection). Lord, hear us.
4. That the Jewish people may continue to grow in faith (pause for reflection). Lord, hear us.
5. That there may be peace in the Middle East, in Israel and Palestine (pause for reflection). Lord, hear us.
6. That people who suffer may know that God is close to them (pause for reflection). Lord, hear us.

The presider prays for the dead: For all those who gone before us in faith (especially N and N), that they may journey through the valley of death to resurrection (pause for reflection). Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) God of compassion, in the death and resurrection of Jesus you show your love for us: hear our petitions, and grant them, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Lord,
through the passion of your only-begotten Son
draw near to us with your forgiveness,
that we who can merit nothing of ourselves
may through the unique sacrifice of Christ
experience the healing power of your mercy.
Grant this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Preface of Passion Sunday (Palm Sunday)
It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Though he was sinless, he suffered willingly for sinners;
though innocent, he accepted condemnation to save the guilty.
By his dying he washed away our sins;
by rising again from the dead
he won justification for us all.
And so, with all the angels and saints,
we sing the joyful hymn of your praise: Holy, holy, holy….

Eucharistic Prayer II
Lord, you are holy indeed,
you are the fountain of all holiness.
Send down your Spirit upon these gifts to make them holy,
that they may become for us
the body + and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Before he was given up to death,
a death he freely accepted,
he took bread and gave you thanks;
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,
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…..

Remembering therefore his death and resurrection,
we offer you, Lord God,
this life-giving bread, this saving cup.
We thank you for counting us worthy
to stand in your presence and serve you.
We pray that all of us who share in the body and blood of Christ
may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit.

Lord, remember your Church throughout the world:
perfect us in love
together with Francis our Pope and N. our Bishop,
with all bishops, priests, and deacons,
and all who minister to your people.
Remember our brothers and sisters
who have gone to their rest
in the sure hope of rising again;
bring them and all who have died in your mercy
into the light of your presence.
Have mercy on us all:
make us worthy to share eternal life,
with Mary, the virgin Mother of God,
with the apostles and with all the saints,
who have found favour with you throughout the ages;
in union with them
may we praise you and give you glory
through your Son, Jesus Christ.
Through him, with him, in him,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honour is yours, almighty Father,
for ever and ever.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Lord,
you have fed us with this holy food
and, through the death of your Son,
have inspired us to hope for what our faith promises;
lead us by his resurrection
to the haven we so earnestly desire.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

SOLEMN BLESSING (The Passion of the Lord)
Bow your heads for God’s blessing.
• The priest says the solemn blessing with hands outstretched over the people.
In the passion of his only Son,
God, the Father of mercies,
has given you the supreme example of love.
May he bless you beyond measure
for your service of God and neighbour.
R. Amen.
May God grant you eternal life
through the death of Jesus Christ,
which has freed you from eternal death.
R. Amen.
May God inspire you to imitate the humility of Christ
and bring you to the glory of his resurrection.
R. Amen.

Songs at Mass ‘Hail Redeemer, King Divine’, ‘Jesus Remember Me’ (Taizé), ‘Benedictus qui venit.’