Today’s liturgy gives a preview of the events we will celebrate between Holy Thursday and Easter Sunday: the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. These events are also the focus of this and every Sunday celebration. We ask for God’s help in understanding their significance.

Alternative Opening prayer (from 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 putting up with a lot of suffering. Our tradition teaches us that these lines apply to Jesus.
Philippians 2:6-11 — An ancient hymn about Christ, which tells us that Jesus achieved glory through suffering.
Mark 14:1 to 15:47 — Mark’s account of the passion is in a lively style which relishes detail and doesn’t avoid what might appear offensive. His message is that Jesus freely gives up control.

BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) Brothers and sisters, let us pray to God who saves us.

1. For our Pope Francis, and for all who lead us (pray quietly for a moment)... Lord, hear us
2. For Christians being persecuted today (pray quietly for a moment)... Lord, hear us
3. For all who take up the cross as followers of Christ (pray quietly for a moment)... Lord, hear us
4. For the courage never to be afraid to speak up for justice (pray quietly for a moment)... Lord, hear us
5. For people who feel tired and weary from the struggles of life (pray quietly for a moment)... Lord, hear us
6. For the sick and all who care for them (pray quietly for a moment)... Lord, hear us

The Presider prays for the dead, especially N & N, that Christ may call them to his side in the New Creation (pray quietly for a moment)... Lord, hear us

Conclusion (by the Presider) God of our salvation, your love for the world has no end: hear the prayers your faithful people make, through Jesus 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: Holy, holy, holy….

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 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 …..

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 at Mass (Suggestions): Hail Redeemer, Jesus Remember Me (Taizé); Were you there?; All Glory Praise and Honour.