Presider’s Page for 20 March (Palm Sunday)

Opening Comment (for Mass without Procession – otherwise as in Missal)
A week from now we will be celebrating Easter. But before we reach that feast, we must recall the suffering and death of the Lord, both today and on Good Friday.

Penitential Rite
To prepare ourselves to listen to that sacred story, let us call to mind our sins: (pause)
You raise the dead to life in the Spirit: Lord, have mercy.
You bring pardon and peace to the sinner: Christ, have mercy.
You bring light to those in darkness: Lord, have mercy.

Alternative Opening Prayer (1998 ICEL Missal)
O God of eternal glory,
you anointed Jesus, your servant,
to bear our sins,
to encourage the weary,
to raise up and restore the fallen.
Keep before our eyes
the splendour of the paschal mystery of Christ,
and, by our sharing in the passion and resurrection,
seal our lives with the victorious sign
of his obedience and exaltation.
We ask this through Christ, our liberator from sin,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
holy and mighty God for ever and ever.

Introduction to the Scripture Readings
Isaiah 50:4-7 Describes someone under attack. Our tradition applies Isaiah’s writings to the sufferings of Jesus.
Philippians 2:6-11 An ancient hymn to Christ, which tells us that Jesus achieved glory through suffering.
Luke 22:14 to 23:56 Luke’s account of the passion is probably the most familiar. We view the sufferings of Jesus through the eyes of Peter, and Simon of Cyrene, and the good thief.

BIDDING PRAYERS

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

1. That all Christians may mark Holy Week with deep faith (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
2. That the Jewish people, our brothers and sisters, may continue in faith and love (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
3. That the city of Jerusalem may become a place of peace and reconciliation (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
4. That those who suffer for Christ, may be inspired by him (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
5. That migrants from Syria and beyond may find a home in Europe (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
6. That all who suffer, at home or in hospital, may feel God is close to them (pause for quiet prayer). 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 quiet prayer). 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 (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:

Eucharistic Prayer II (1998 Missal)
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 N. 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 …..

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 (Passion of the Lord)
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
Hail Redeemer
All Glory Praise and Honour
Jesus Remember Me (Taizé)