Liturgical Leaflet for an Active Participation in the Celebration of the Eucharist

4 April 2025 First Friday

PERSEVERING
IN SPITE OF PERSECUTION
s we progress in our Lenten pilgrimage toward the glory of

A Easter, today’s readings remind us that it is not easy to live as

authentic disciples of Christ. Trusting in the Lord’s grace, we
will not be afraid, for “our help is in the name of the Lord who made
heaven and earth.”
As devotees of the Sacred Heart, we know that we are called to
share in his sufferings and offer our troubles and crosses in atone-
ment for our own sins and the sins of all other human beings. The Lord, who will not leave
unrewarded even a glass of water given out of love for him, will surely reward with immense
generosity any suffering we may endure because of our allegiance to him.

P – You call both wicked and reigns with you in the unity of the
upright to conversion, Lord, Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
have mercy! All –Amen!
All – Lord, have mercy!
Entrance Antiphon
(To be recited only when no P – You never give up on us
Entrance Hymn is sung.) sinners and you call on us
to avoid giving scandal to
O God, save me by your others, Christ, have mercy!
name; by your power, defend All – Christ, have mercy! 1st Reading Wis 2:1.12-22
my cause. O God, hear my The persecution of the just man
prayer; give ear to the words of P – You were sent by the Fa- at the hands of impious people
my mouth. (Cf. Ps 54[53]:3-4) ther for our salvation, Lord, foreshadows the harsh treat-
have mercy! ment to which Jesus would be
Greeting All – Lord, have mercy! subjected by his enemies during
P – In the name of the Father, P – May almighty God have the last hours of his life.
and of the Son, and of the Holy mercy on us, forgive us our sins
R –A reading from the Book of
Spirit! and bring us to everlasting life.
Wisdom
All –Amen! All – Amen!
The wicked said among
P – Grace and peace from God themselves, thinking not
our Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, Collect (Opening Prayer)
aright: “Let us beset the just
and the Holy Spirit be with you all! P –O God, who have prepared one, because he is obnoxious
All – And with your spirit! fitting helps for us in our weak- to us; he sets himself against
ness, grant, we pray, that we may our doings, reproaches us for
Penitential Act receive their healing effects with transgressions of the law and
P – Brethren, let us acknowl- joy and reflect them in a holy charges us with violations of
edge our sins and so prepare way of life. our training. He professes to
ourselves to celebrate the sacred Through our Lord Jesus have knowledge of God and
mysteries. (Pause) Christ, your Son, who lives and styles himself a child of the

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Lord. To us he is the censure of mouth of God. the ill-treatment of the just, let
our thoughts; merely to see him (Glory and praise to you, O us ask the Lord for the grace to
is a hardship for us, because his Christ!) persevere in doing good for our-
life is not like other men’s, and selves and all those who are put
different are his ways. Gospel Jn 7:1-2.10.25-30 to the test on account of their
He judges us debased; he Jesus, the just man par excel- allegiance to Christ:
holds aloof from our paths as lence, was the target of mur- All – Lord, graciously hear us!
from things impure. He calls derous hatred by those who
blest the destiny of the just and remained entrenched in their C –For the Catholic Church
boasts that God is his Father. prejudices against him. What- and all those who believe in
Let us see whether his words be ever he said or did for their en- Christ: May they hold on to and
true; let us find out what will lightenment was always misin- live by the Gospel values in a
happen to him. For if the just terpreted and held against him, world steeped in corruption,
one be the son of God, he will as we learn from today’s Gospel materialism and hedonism. Let
defend him and deliver him passage. us pray! R.
from the hand of his foes. With P – The Lord be with you! C –For the Holy Father, our
revilement and torture let us All – And with your spirit! Bishop and all other spiritual
put him to the test that we may P – A reading from the holy leaders: May they persevere in
have proof of his gentleness and Gospel according to John their mission of strengthening
try his patience. Let us con- All – Glory to you, O Lord! the faith of the flock entrusted to
demn him to a shameful death; their care. Let us pray! R.
for according to his own words, Jesus moved about within
God will take care of him.” Galilee. He had decided not to C – For all parents, teachers and
These were their thoughts, travel in Judea because some catechists: May they raise the
but they erred; for their wick- of the Jews were looking for a new generations in the proper ap-
edness blinded them, and they chance to kill him. The Jew- preciation of the sound traditions
knew not the hidden counsels of ish feast of Booths drew near. of the Catholic faith and inspire
God; neither did they count on a Once his brothers had gone up them with their example. Let us
recompense of holiness nor dis- to the festival, he too went up, pray! R.
cern the innocent souls’ reward. but as if in secret and not for all
to see. C – For our children and young
The Word of the Lord! Some of the people of Je- people: May they treasure their
All – Thanks be to God! rusalem remarked, “Is this not Catholic faith and mold their
the one they want to kill? Here lives according to its principles.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 34 he is speaking in public and Let us pray! R.
R –The Lord is close to the they don’t say a word to him! C –For those who are harassed
brokenhearted! Perhaps even the authorities and discriminated against be-
have decided that this is the cause of their faithfulness to the
* The Lord confronts the Messiah. Still, we know where Gospel: May they find in the ex-
evildoers, to destroy remem- this man is from. When the amples of Jesus and all martyrs
brance of them from the earth. Messiah comes, no one is sup- the encouragement they need.
When the just cry out, the Lord posed to know his origins.” Let us pray! R.
hears them, and from all their At this, Jesus, who was
distress he rescues them. R. C – For our community and all
teaching in the temple area, of us gathered in this Eucharistic
* The Lord is close to the cried out: “So you know me, celebration: May we persevere in
brokenhearted; and those who and you know my origins? The our commitment to the Lord in
are crushed in spirit he saves. truth is, I have not come of my- spite of the bad example of many
Many are the troubles of the self. I was sent by One who has in our society. Let us pray! R.
just man, but out of them all the right to send, and him you
the Lord delivers him. R. do not know. I know him be- P – Lord God, source of our
cause it is from him I come: strength and consolation: May
* He watches over all his he sent me.” At this they tried all we plan be according to Your
bones; not one of them shall to seize him, but no one laid a will. May all we do be for Your
be broken. The Lord redeems finger on him because his hour greater glory. Through Christ our
the lives of his servants; no one had not yet come. Lord.
incurs guilt who takes refuge in All – Amen!
him. R. The Gospel of the Lord!
All – Praise to you, Lord Jesus Preparation of the Gifts
Verse before the Gospel Christ!
P – Pray, brethren . . .
All –(Glory and praise to you, O All – May the Lord accept the
Christ!) Homily sacrifice at your hands, for the
One does not live on bread praise and glory of his name,
alone, but on every word Prayer of the Faithful
for our good and the good of all
that comes forth from the P – As we have meditated on his holy Church.

4 April 2025
 Prayer over the Offerings have mercy on us. (2×) as we pass from old to new, so,
Lamb of God, you take with former ways left behind,
P –May this sacrifice, almighty
away the sins of the world: we may be renewed in holiness
God, cleanse us by its mighty
grant us peace. of mind.
power and lead us to approach its
Through Christ our Lord.
source with ever greater purity.
Communion All –Amen!
Through Christ our Lord.
All –Amen! P –Behold the Lamb of God,
behold him who takes away the
Preface of Lent III sins of the world. Blessed are
P –The Lord be with you! those called to the supper of the
All – And with your spirit! Lamb. P – The Lord be with you.
P –Lift up your hearts! All – Lord, I am not worthy All – And with your spirit!
All –We lift them up to the that you should enter under my P – Bow down for the blessing.
Lord! roof, but only say the word and (Pause)
P –Let us give thanks to the my soul shall be healed. – May the Lord who called
Lord our God! you to be members of His
All – It is right and just! Communion Antiphon Church give you the grace
P –It is truly right and just, (To be recited only when no you need to live as her faith-
our duty and our salvation, al- Communion Hymn is sung.) ful and devoted children.
ways and everywhere to give In Christ, we have redemp- All – Amen!
you thanks, Lord, holy Father, tion by his Blood, and forgive- P – May He free you from all
almighty and eternal God. ness of our sins, in accord with anxiety and strengthen your
For you will that our self- the riches of his grace. hearts with His grace.
denial should give you thanks, (Eph 1:7) All – Amen!
humble our sinful pride, contrib- P – May He protect you from all
ute to the feeding of the poor, and Prayer after Communion
dangers, crown your efforts
so help us imitate you in your P –Grant, we pray, O Lord, that, with success, and lead you
kindness.
And so we glorify you with
countless Angels, as with one
voice of praise we acclaim: NOVENA PRAYER
All –Holy, holy, holy Lord, God TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS
of hosts. Heaven and earth are Divine Jesus, you have said, Ć „Ask, and you shall receive; Ć
full of your glory. Hosanna in seek, and you shall find; Ć knock, and it shall be opened unto you.‰
the highest! Ć Behold me kneeling at your feet, Ć filled with a lively faith and
Blessed is he who comes in confidence Ć in the promises dictated by your Sacred Heart Ć and
the name of the Lord. Hosanna pronounced by your adorable lips. Ć I come to ask this favor: (Silently
in the highest! mention your petitions.)
To whom can I turn if not to you Ć whose heart is the source of
Memorial Acclamation all graces and merits? Ć Where should I seek if not in the treasure Ć
which contains all the riches of your kindness and mercy? Ć Where
P –The mystery of faith! should I knock Ć if not at the door through which God gives himself
All –When we eat this Bread to us Ć and through which we go to God? Ć I have recourse to you,
and drink this Cup, we Heart of Jesus. Ć In you I find consolation when afflicted, Ć protec-
proclaim your Death, tion when persecuted, Ć strength when burdened with trials, Ć and
O Lord, until you come light in doubt and darkness.
again! Dear Jesus, I firmly believe Ć that you can grant me the grace I
implore, Ć even though it should require a miracle. Ć You have only
to will it, Ć and my prayer will be granted. Ć I admit that I am most
unworthy of your favors, Ć but this is not a reason for me to be
discouraged. Ć You are the God of mercy Ć and you will not refuse
a contrite heart. Ć Cast upon me a look of mercy, I beg of you, Ć and
your kind heart will find in my miseries and weaknesses Ć a reason
All – Our Father . . . for granting my prayer.
P –Deliver us, Lord . . . O Sacred Heart, Ć whatever may be your decision with regard to
All –For the kingdom, the my request, Ć I will never stop adoring, loving, praising, and serving
power, and the glory are you. Ć My Jesus, be pleased to accept this my act of perfect resigna-
yours, now and for ever. tion Ć to the decrees of your adorable heart Ć which I sincerely desire
may be fulfilled Ć in and by me and by all your creatures for ever.
Sign of Peace Sacred Heart of Jesus, Ć I know that there is but one thing impos-
sible to you: Ć to be without pity for those who are suffering or in
Breaking of the Bread distress. Ć Look upon me, I beg of you, dear Jesus, Ć and grant me
the grace for which I humbly implore you Ć through the Immaculate
All – Lamb of God, you take Heart of your most sorrowful Mother. Ć You have entrusted me to
away the sins of the world: her as her child, Ć and her prayers are all-powerful with you. Ć Amen!

First Friday
 to everlasting life. you: the Father, and the P –Go in peace, glorifying the
All – Amen! Son, and the Holy Spirit. Lord by your life!
P – May almighty God bless All – Amen! All – Thanks be to God!

A WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN!

Kalakbay at Katoto

W e live in interesting times, don’t we? Truth is

denied, rejected – even hated. What is wrong
is made right and what is right is made wrong.
tyrs. And I use martyrs in the original sense in
Greek – witnesses!

Truth bearers are canceled out and purveyors of We may be few and far between now … Those who
malinformation (disinformation or misinformation) try their level best to stay the course of the path of
get all the hits, the likes, and the engagements. righteousness and truth and justice may have be-
come the minority. But hey! This call, addressed to
It is hard to be on the side of the right. It is even all, but responded to and upheld by even fewer, has
harder to be on the side of the just. One wrong move not become outdates. It may have lost a lot of their
(or one wrong post in social media) and the gang of appeal in times gone by, but it has become even
trolls and bots pounce on you and can make your more compelling and seriously needed by confused
life miserable. humanity all over the world.

So what else is new? The Book of Wisdom says it Please be convinced of this, fellow devotees of the
so aptly: “Let us beset the just, for he is obnoxious Sacred Heart! You may be among the few, the hated
to us.” and the rejected by mainstream society steeped
deeply in a culture of fakes and lies, but the world
We live in a world whose moral bearings have
turned upside down. In this world, silence in the needs you. The Church needs you. Your devotion
face of evil is considered the best course of action. is not a futile and meaningless activity.
Looking the other way is the most “prudent” thing
to do. And tolerance, not truth, justice and charity, Take courage, little flock. You may be discour-
has become the greatest virtue. aged at times, but let us all proclaim to one another
loud and clear: “The Lord is close to the broken-
We have come to the potentially new age of mar- hearted!”

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