Liturgical Information
The Fourth Sunday of Lent [Lætare] (B)
Liturgical Color: Rose
Themes: joy, mercy, love, redemption
Entrance Antiphon [Introit]:
Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her.
Be joyful, all who were in mourning;
exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast. Isaiah 66:10-11 [Roman Missal]
Lætare Ierusalem: et conventum facite omnes qui diligitis eam: gaudete cum lætitia, qui in tristitia fuistis: ut exsultetis, et satiemini ab uberibus consolationis vestræ.
Ps. Lætatus sum in his quæ dicta sunt mihi: in domum Domini ibimus. [Graduale Romanum, p.108]
Lætare Ierusalem: et conventum facite omnes qui diligitis eam: gaudete cum laetitia, qui in tristitia fuistis: ut exsultetis, et satiemini ab uberibus consolationis vestræ.
Ps. Lætatus sum in his quæ dicta sunt mihi: in domum Domini ibimus. [Gregorian Missal, p.259/280]
In tribulatione invocavi Dominum, et exaudivit me in latitudine. [Graduale simplex, p.102]
Verses of Psalm 118 can also be sung between repetitions of the antiphon.
Collect:
O God, who through your Word
reconcile the human race to yourself in a wonderful way,
grant, we pray,
that with prompt devotion and eager faith
the Christian people may hasten
toward the solemn celebra- tion to come.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Ho-ly Spirit,
God, for ev-er and ev-er.
A-men.
Lectionary Readings:
- II Chronicles 36:14-16,19-23 [The Lord had compassion on His people. /v.15]
- Psalm 137:1-2 / 3 / 4-5 / 6 [R. Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you. /v.6]
- Ephesians 2:4-10 [By grace you have been saved. /v.5]
- Gospel Verse: Jn 3:16 [God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.]
- John 3:14-21 [God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through Him. /v.17]
When catechumens (the Elect) and candidates for reception are present, readings may be chosen from the Year A cycle. See Year A - 4th Sunday of Lent
Offertory Antiphon:
Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praise to his name, which we love.
All that the Lord wills he does in heaven and on earth. Psalm 135:3,6 **
Verses of Psalm 92 can also be sung between repetitions of the antiphon.
(A/B) Laudate Dominum, quia benignus est: psallite nomini eius, quoniam suavis est: omnia quæcumque voluit, fecit in cælo et in terra. [Graduale Romanum, p.110]
(A/B) Laudate Dominum, quia benignus est: psallite nomini eius, quoniam suavis est: omnia quæcumque voluit, fecit in cælo et in terra. [Gregorian Missal, p.262/283]
Bonum est confiteri Domino Deo nostro. [Graduale simplex, p.106]
Verses of Psalm 92 can also be sung between repetitions of the antiphon.
Prayer over the Offerings:
We place before you with joy these offerings,
which bring eternal remedy, O Lord,
pray- ing that we may both faithfully revere them
and present them to you, as is fitting,
for the salvation of all the world.
Through Christ our Lord. A-men.
Preface II of Lent: [Spiritual penance]
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God.
For you have given your children a sacred time
for the renewing and purifying of their hearts,
that, freed from disordered affections,
they may so deal with the things of this passing world
as to hold rather to the things that eternally endure.
And so, with all the Angels and Saints,
we praise you, as without end we acclaim:
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts…
The Preface for the Fourth Sunday of Lent [The Man Born Blind] may be used when the Year A Gospel is proclaimed.
Communion Antiphon:
Jerusalem is built as a city bonded as one together.
It is there that the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord,
to praise the name of the Lord. Psalm 122:3-4 [Roman Missal]
The Communion Antiphon, "The Lord anointed my eyes…" may be used when the Year A Gospel is proclaimed.
(B) Ierusalem, quæ ædificatur ut civitas, cuius participatio eius in idipsum: illuc enim ascenderunt tribus, tribus Domini, ad confitendum nomini tuo, Domine. Ps 122:3-4 [Graduale Romanum, p.370] Psalm 122:1,2,5,6,7,8,9 can also be sung between repetitions of this antiphon.
(B) Ierusalem, quæ ædificatur ut civitas, cuius participatio eius in idipsum: illuc enim ascenderunt tribus, tribus Domini, ad confitendum nomini tuo, Domine. Ps 122:3-4 [Gregorian Missal, p.262/285]
Introibo ad altare Dei: ad Deum qui lætificat iuventutem meam. [Graduale simplex, p.79]
Verses of Psalm 43 can also be sung between repetitions of this antiphon.
Prayer after Communion:
O God, who enlighten everyone who comes into the world,
illuminate our hearts, we pray,
with the splendor of your grace,
that we may always ponder
what is worthy and pleasing to your majesty
and love you in all sin - cerity.
Through Christ our Lord. A-men.
Prayer over the People:
Look upon those who call to you, O Lord,
and sustain the weak;
give life by your unfailing light
to those who walk in the shadow of death,
and bring those rescued by your mercy from every evil
to reach the highest good.
Through Christ our Lord.
** An official, approved English translation of the Offertory Antiphon has never been published. The offertory antiphon used here is from the New American Bible, a Scripture translation approved for liturgical use in the United States.
The English translation of the Entrance Antiphon [Introit], Collect, Psalm Refrain, Gospel Verse, Prayer over the Offerings, Preface, Communion Antiphon, Prayer after Communion, and Prayer over the People from The Roman Missal, © Copyright 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corp.
All rights reserved.
Excerpts from the First Reading, Second Reading and Gospel are taken from the New American Standard Bible ® © Copyright 1973 The Lockman Foundation.
Used by permission.
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