March 2024

29 FridayDay of the lunar month20
redGOOD FRIDAY - "Preparation Day"
Roman Stational Church: Holy Cross in Jerusalem
Day of fast and abstinence. Celebration of the Mass and the sacraments is strictly prohibited, except for Penance and Anointing of the Sick. Communion may be taken to the sick, but otherwise is not distributed outside today's Celebration of the Lord's Passion.
OPHours of the day. At Morning Prayer, the Litany Verses from the Dominican Supplement may replace the Intercessions. If so, after Mortem autem crucis all pause and kneel in silence; then the Lord's Prayer is said aloud, and the Hour concludes as usual.
Today the reading of the Martyrology is omitted.
Celebration of the Lord's Passion.
The celebration has three parts:
I. Liturgy of the Word (readings, homily, intercessions)
II. Veneration of the Cross
III. Holy Communion.
The celebration begins about 3 p.m. The altar is completely bare, without candles, cloth or cross. The ministers enter in silence and prostrate before the altar. This act of prostration, which is proper to the rite of the day, should be strictly observed for it signifies both the abasement of "earthly man," and also the grief and sorrow of the Church. As the ministers enter, the faithful should be standing, and thereafter should kneel in silent prayer. [PS 65]
Readings:
Isa 52:13-53:12 Ps 31:2+6, 12-13, 15-16, 17+25 Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9 John 18:1-19:42
The Intercessions must follow "the form and wording" handed down by tradition, but the celebrant may make a selection of some more relevant to local conditions, provided the range of intentions is preserved. [PS 67]
The cross is presented to each of the faithful individually for their adoration, since the personal adoration of the cross is a most important feature in this celebration. Only if necessitated by the large numbers of faithful present may the rite of veneration be made simultaneously by all present. Only one cross should be used for the veneration. [PS 69]
OPFor the veneration of the cross the rite proper to our Order may be used instead of one of the two forms given in the Roman Missal. (See the Dominican Supplement.)
The communion rite is as described in the Missal. The sign of peace is not exchanged.
After Holy Communion, the Blessed Sacrament is carried from the church by a priest or deacon wearing a humeral veil and accompanied by two candles. The Sacrament is reserved privately outside the church for the needs of the sick and dying.
The altar is stripped at a suitable time, but the cross remains with four candles, placed so that the faithful may venerate and kiss it and spend some time in meditation. [PS 71]
OPNight Prayer is said after the Celebration of the Lord's Passion at a suitable hour, with two candles alight; the blessing is not given, the antiphon Salve Regina is omitted, and holy water is not used.
OPToday after the Veneration of the Cross the brethren, when entering and leaving choir, bow profoundly to the cross as on other days, but they do not genuflect.
OPDe profundis for deceased brothers and benefactors and Fidelium are omitted at grace for meals. The custom of wearing the cappa in the refectory may be observed.
Anniv.Anniversary of fr. Dominic Browne  (2016)

Variables for the Current Year

Golden Number  11
Epact  xix
Solar Cycle 17
Letter of the Martyrology: u
Roman Year of Indiction 2
Julian Period: Year 6737
Years since the confirmation of the Order: 808
Years since the passing of our Holy Father Dominic  803
Sunday Readings  Cycle  B
Weekday Readings  Cycle   II