LITURGICAL GUIDELINES LENT / EASTER 2019 FOR THE DIOCESE OF WHEELING-CHARLESTON LENT Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 6, 2019 and concludes just prior to the Evening Mass of the Lord s Supper on Holy Thursday, April 18, 2019. Lent prepares the faithful to enter into the paschal mystery (the passion, death and resurrection of Christ). By focusing on repentance, Lent is a time to free ourselves from the sins that prevent us from truly experiencing God s love. Violet is the liturgical color. However, Lenten purple is a different shade than Advent purple in that it has more of a reddish hue, sometimes called eggplant. The Fourth Sunday of Lent is Laetare Sunday, and rose vestments may be worn. Sanctuary environment should reflect a prayerful simplicity. Flowers are not permitted, except perhaps on Laetare Sunday. Some things to keep in mind during Lent: The Gloria is omitted during the season of Lent, except on the Solemnity of Saint Joseph (March 19) and the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord (March 25). Alleluia is not permitted to be said or sung during Lent. Refrain from choosing hymns that contain the word Alleluia. There are several other Gospel acclamations that are appropriate for this season such as Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of Endless Glory etc. It is common during Lent to celebrate the Rite of Reconciliation of Several Penitents with Individual Confession and Absolution. Parishes should make sure that parishioners have ample opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to the Easter Triduum. Marriages may take place during Lent; however, couples must be reminded of the penitential nature of the season. They should be aware that there will be no Alleluias, elaborate floral arrangements, and the musical selections must reflect a more somber tone. Funerals may be scheduled on any weekday of Lent. White, violet or black vestments may be worn. The Scrutinies are celebrated only with the UNBAPTIZED on the Third, Fourth and Fifth Sunday of Lent. They are NOT optional. While Baptisms are not forbidden, it makes good pastoral sense to use Lent as a time of preparation for Baptism and then celebrate the sacrament during the Easter season. The two Eucharistic Prayers for Reconciliation are appropriate for use during Lent. Statues and crosses in the sanctuary may be covered. This is OPTIONAL. If it is to be done, it is to occur immediately prior to the liturgies for the Fifth Sunday of Lent.
Crosses remain covered until the end of the Passion liturgy on Good Friday and statues until prior to the Easter Vigil. Stations of the Cross is a popular Lenten devotion with a long history in the Catholic Church. Parishes are encouraged to incorporate the Stations in their Lenten activities and members of the clergy should lead them. IMPORTANT GUIDELINES FOR ALL CATHOLICS 1) Fasting is to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by everyone 18 years and older, who has not yet celebrated their 59 th birthday. On a fast day, one full meal is allowed. Two other meals, enough to maintain strength, may be taken, according to each one s needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but consuming liquids, including milk and juices, is allowed. 2) Abstinence is observed by everyone 14 years of age or older. On days of abstinence, no meat is allowed. Note that when health or the ability to work is affected, the law does not apply. Ash Wednesday, all the Fridays during Lent, and Good Friday are days of abstinence. If a person is unable to observe the above regulations due to ill health or other serious reasons, other suitable forms of self-denial are encouraged. Ash Wednesday March 6, 2019 Thursday after Ash Wednesday March 7, 2019 Friday after Ash Wednesday March 8, 2019 Day of Fasting and Abstinence Two formulas may be used for the distribution of ashes: Remember, you are dust, and to dust you shall return, or Repent and believe in the Gospel. Optional memorial of Sts. Perpetua & Felicity, Martyrs Optional memorial of St. John of God, Religious Saturday after Ash Wednesday March 9, 2019 Optional memorial of St. Frances of Rome, Religious 2
First Sunday of Lent March 10, 2019 Monday of the March 11, 2019 Tuesday of the March 12, 2019 Wednesday of the March 13, 2019 Thursday of the March 14, 2019 Friday of the March 15, 2019 Saturday of the March 16, 2019 Second Sunday of Lent March 17, 2019 Monday of the March 18, 2019 Tuesday of the March 19, 2019 Wednesday of the March 20, 2019 Thursday of the March 21, 2019 Friday of the March 22, 2019 Rite of Election celebrated in Charleston at 3:00 PM For parishes participating in the Rite of Election, the Rite of Sending is recommended at one of the weekend Masses. Rite of Election celebrated in Charles Town at 1:00 PM Rite of Election celebrated in Wheeling at 3:00 PM For parishes participating in the Rite of Election, the Rite of Sending is recommended at one of the weekend Masses. Optional Penitential Rite for Candidates may be celebrated. Optional memorial for St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop & Doctor Solemnity of Saint Joseph Patronal Feast of the Diocese Gloria is sung or said. Creed is said. 3
Saturday of the March 23, 2019 Third Sunday of Lent March 24, 2019 Monday of the March 25, 2019 Tuesday of the March 26, 2019 Wednesday of the March 27, 2019 Thursday of the March 28, 2019 Friday of the March 29, 2019 Saturday of the March 30, 2019 Fourth Sunday of Lent March 31, 2019 Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent April 1, 2019 Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent April 2, 2019 Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent April 3, 2019 Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent April 4, 2019 Optional memorial of St. Turibius of Mogrovejo, Bishop First Scrutiny for the unbaptized is to be celebrated. The Presentation of the Creed to the unbaptized also takes place. Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord Vestment color: White Gloria is sung or said and Creed is said (genuflect at the words by the Holy Spirit ) Laetare Sunday Rose vestments may be worn. Flowers are permitted in the sanctuary. More festive music may be sung (NO Gloria or Alleluia). Second Scrutiny for the unbaptized is to be celebrated. Optional memorial of St. Francis of Paola, Hermit Optional memorial of St. Isidore, Bishop and Doctor 4
Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent April 5, 2019 Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent April 6, 2019 Fifth Sunday of Lent April 7, 2019 Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent April 8, 2019 Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent April 9, 2019 Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent April 10, 2019 Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent April 11, 2019 Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent April 12, 2019 Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent April 13, 2019 Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord April 14, 2019 Optional memorial of St. Vincent Ferrer, Priest Third Scrutiny for the unbaptized is to be celebrated. Presentation of the Lord s Prayer for the unbaptized. Optional memorial of St. Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr Optional memorial of St. Martin I, Pope and Martyr Vestment color: Red The liturgy is divided into three parts: Commemoration of the Lord s Entrance into Jerusalem, the Liturgy of the Word, and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. There are three forms of the Commemoration: The Procession, The Solemn Entrance and the Simple Entrance. It is preferred that the procession be celebrated at least once. Pastoral judgment rather than convenience should be used when planning a procession. The Passion of the Lord is proclaimed at the time of the Gospel. Several readers may be used for the various voices. The presiding priest should read the speaking parts of Jesus. The Passion is to be read without candles and incense and there is to be no greeting and signing of the book. There may be a brief homily or period of silence. 5
Monday of Holy Week April 15, 2019 Tuesday of Holy Week April 16, 2019 Wednesday of Holy Week April 17, 2019 Chrism Mass is celebrated in Charleston at 4:00 PM (Vestment color: White) Chrism Mass is celebrated in Wheeling at 4:00 PM (Vestment color: White) 6
THE PASCHAL TRIDUUM The Triduum ( three days ) is the greatest celebration of the Church year. It is considered one long feast that begins with the Evening Mass of the Lord s Supper, extends through Good Friday, reaching its climax at the Easter Vigil. The Easter Vigil is the preeminent liturgy of the entire liturgical year. It is the greatest and noblest of all solemnities. Wedding and funeral Masses are not permitted on these days. Each service of the Holy Triduum (Mass of the Lord s Supper, the Celebration of the Passion, and the Easter Vigil) are to be celebrated only once within a Parish. For parishes with attached missions, these celebrations should take place at the Parish Church, not at a mission or chapel. For parish clusters, where there is more than one parish Church, pastors and administrators should seek a creative solution which respects the integrity of the single celebration of each liturgy while responding to the needs of the faithful and their access to these liturgies. Holy Thursday April 18, 2019 Evening Mass of the Lord s Supper is celebrated. No other Masses are permitted on this day. In the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, the Evening Mass of the Lord s Supper is to begin after 4:30PM at a time convenient for the faithful to attend. Vestment color: White The tabernacle must be empty before Mass begins. The Gloria is sung. Bells are rung throughout the Gloria. Tower bells should also be rung if applicable. The Creed is omitted. Washing of Feet (Mandatum) by the priest presider is optional, but in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston it is STRONGLY ENCOURAGED unless the health of the priest is a serious concern. A cross-section of the parish may participate in this ritual, including women and children. The representative number is 12 persons or less. This ritual must not be altered (i.e. handwashing or washing one another s feet). Be sure that there are enough consecrated hosts to last through Good Friday services. No consecrated wine should be reserved. Gifts for the poor may also be brought forward with the bread and wine in the offertory procession. After the Prayer after Communion, the Blessed Sacrament is to be carried in procession to the place of reposition which is set apart from the usual tabernacle. The faithful should be invited to spend some time in adoration. There is to be no adoration after midnight. During the procession, it is customary that the Pange Lingua is sung. When the priest has reached the place of repose, then the Tantum Ergo or last two stanzas of Pange Lingua are sung. 7
Holy Thursday (cont.) Friday of the Passion of the Lord [Good Friday] April 19, 2019 The Roman Missal does allow for another eucharistic chant to be sung. There is no dismissal and the people need to be reminded to depart in silence. The altar is stripped bare at the conclusion of the Mass. However, it is not to be part of any liturgical action. Holy water may be removed from the fonts prior to the liturgy and refilled with water blessed at the Easter Vigil. (optional) Day of Fast and Abstinence Mass is NOT celebrated on this day. The principal service is called The Celebration of the Passion of the Lord. NO ONE IS permitted to add to or modify this service from what is prescribed in the Roman Missal. Only a priest may preside at this service. The Sacraments of Penance and Anointing of the Sick are the only sacraments that may be celebrated today. Vestment color: Red Today s liturgy consists of: The Liturgy of the Word, Adoration of the Holy Cross and Holy Communion. The preferred time of this liturgy is 3:00 PM. In the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, it is permitted it to begin later for pastoral reasons. Only one cross is to be used for the Adoration of the Holy Cross by the faithful. Special collection for the Holy Land is taken up. A communion song may be sung. The deacon (or priest, if there is no deacon) wearing the humeral veil must goes to the place of repose to retrieve the Blessed Sacrament. A deacon or other assisting minister should return the remaining hosts after communion has been distributed. There is no dismissal and all depart in silence after genuflecting to the Cross. 8
The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night [Holy Saturday] April 20, 2019 In the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, the Easter Vigil MUST NOT start before 8:00 PM. It is important that this liturgy take place close to/after sundown. If there are pastoral reasons why the Vigil should begin before 8:00 PM, please contact the Office of Worship and Sacraments. A parish may not schedule Mass at the time of its regular anticipatory Saturday evening Mass. The environment in the sanctuary should now reflect the full Easter joy with flowers. Alleluia can now be sung! The four parts of the Vigil include: Lucernarium, Liturgy of the Word, Baptismal Liturgy, and Liturgy of the Eucharist. A large, new Paschal candle is recommended, unless financial reasons inhibit this purchase. The priest celebrant must prepare the candle as prescribed in the Roman Missal. Candles are needed for members of the assembly. The lights in the Church should be out (or at least dimmed) prior to the start of the Vigil if possible. Old Testament readings may be reduced to three, but Exodus 14:15-15:1 must be included. The Gloria is sung. Bells are rung throughout the Gloria. Tower bells should also be rung if applicable. If there is no one to be baptized, see the section of the Roman Missal that begins with the Blessing of Water. If children over the age of seven (7) are baptized, they MUST be confirmed and receive Holy Communion at the Vigil. The dismissal is to be the double Alleluia and should be chanted by the deacon (or priest, if there is no deacon). 9
EASTER Easter Sunday morning, April 21, 2019 marks the end of the Triduum and is the first day of the Easter octave. The Church now begins 50 days of the great feast of Easter. The Easter season officially ends at the conclusion of the feast of Pentecost, Sunday, June 9, 2019. The environment in the sanctuary should reflect the joy of the Easter season with flowers, banners, etc. Keep in mind that the primary color is white. A plan should be in place to ensure that flowers are replenished throughout the entire season. The Paschal candle has pride of place in the sanctuary. It should be near the altar or the ambo until the conclusion of Pentecost and should be lit at all the solemn celebrations of the Easter season. On Easter Sunday, it is appropriate to replace the Creed with the rite of the renewal of baptismal promises and sprinkling of holy water. The Gloria is sung and the music chosen during the liturgy needs to evoke joy and the Resurrection theme. The solemn dismissal with its double Alleluias is used at all the Masses of the Easter octave, the Second Sunday of Easter, and the Solemnity of Pentecost. On Easter Sunday, the Sequence (Christians, to the Paschal Victim [Victimae Paschali Laudes]) follows the second reading. It is meant to be sung; however, if that is not possible, it may be recited. On the feast of Pentecost, the above regulations apply to the Sequence (Come, O Holy Spirit, Come [Veni Sancte Spiritus]). Pope John Paul II established the Second Sunday of Easter which falls on April 28, 2019 as Divine Mercy Sunday. Parishes may wish to pray the Divine Mercy chaplet outside of Mass on this day. NOTE: Pope Francis has established that the Optional memorial of Pope Saint Paul VI be inserted into the Roman Calendar and observed on May 29. Since there are no approved English and Spanish texts for this Mass, please use the Common of Pastors: for a Pope. In the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord has been transferred to the Seventh Sunday of Easter, June 2, 2019. 10