Liturgical Information
The Third Sunday of Lent (C)

Liturgical Color: Violet

Themes: deliverance, justice, repentance, awe

Entrance Antiphon [Introit]:

My eyes are always on the Lord,
for he rescues my feet from the snare.
Turn to me and have mercy on me,
for I am alone and poor. Psalm 25:15-16 [Roman Missal]

— or —

When I prove my holiness among you
I will gather you from all the foreign lands;
and I will pour clean water upon you
and cleanse you from all your impurities,
and I will give you a new spirit, says the Lord. Ezekiel 36:23-26 [Roman Missal]

Oculi mei semper ad Dominum, quia ipse evellet de laqueo pedes meos: respice in me, et miserere mei, quoniam unicus et pauper sum ego.
Ps. Ad te Domine levavi animam meam: Deus meus, in te confido, non erubescam. [Graduale Romanum, p.96]

— or —

Dum sanctificatus fuero in vobis, congregabo vos de universis terris: et effundam super vos aqaum mundam, et mundabimini ab omnibus inquinamentis vestris: et dabo vobis spiritum novum. Ps. Benedicam Dominum in omni tempore: semper laus eius in ore meo. [Graduale Romanum, p.249]

Oculi mei semper ad Dominum, quia ipse evellet de laqueo pedes meos: respice in me, et miserere mei, quoniam unicus et pauper sum

Ps. Ad te Domine levavi animam meam: Deus meus, in te confido, non erubescam. [Gregorian Missal, p.252/273]

— or —

Oculi mei semper ad Dominum. [Graduale simplex, p.96]
Verses of Psalm 25 can also be sung between repetitions of the antiphon.

Collect:

O God, author of every mercy and of all goodness,
who in fasting, prayer and almsgiving
have shown us a remedy for sin,

look graciously on this confession of our lowliness,
that we, who are bowed down by our conscience,
may always be lifted up by your mercy.

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:

Exodus 3:1-8a,13-15 [I AM has sent me to you. /v.14]
Psalm 103:1-2 / 3-4 / 6-7 / 8,11 [R. The Lord is kind and merciful. /v.8a]
I Corinthians 10:1-6,10-12 [Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. /v.12]
Gospel Verse: Mt 4:17 [Repent, says the Lord; the kingdom of heaven is at hand.]
Luke 13:1-9 [Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. /v.3]

When catechumens and candidates for reception are present, readings may be chosen from the Year A cycle. See Year A - 3rd Sunday of Lent

Offertory Antiphon:

The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; sweeter also than syrup or honey from the comb. Your servant is very diligent in keeping them. Psalm19:9,11,12 **
Verses of Psalm 51 can also be sung between repetitions of the antiphon.

Iustitiæ Domini rectæ, lætificantes corda, et dulciora super mel et favum: nam servus tuus custodiet ea. [Graduale Romanum, p.309]

Iustitiæ Domini rectæ, lætificantes corda, et dulciora super mel et favum: nam servus tuus custodiet ea. [Gregorian Missal, p.256/277]

Frange esurienti panem tuum, et egenos vagosque induc in domum tuam. [Graduale simplex, p.100]
Verses of Psalm 51 can also be sung between repetitions of the antiphon.

Prayer over the Offerings:

Be pleased, O Lord, with these sacrificial offer- ings,

and grant that we who beseech pardon for our own sins,
may take care to for- give our neighbor.

Through Christ our Lord. A-men.

Preface I of Lent: [The spiritual meaning of Lent]

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,
through Christ our Lord.

For by your gracious gift each year
your faithful await the sacred paschal feasts
with the joy of minds made pure,
so that, more eagerly intent on prayer
and on the works of charity,
and participating in the mysteries
by which that have been reborn,
they may be led to the fullness of grace
that you bestow on your sons and daughters.

And so, with Angels and Archangels,
with Thrones and Dominions,
and with all the hosts and Powers of heaven,
we sing the hymn of your glory,
as without end we acclaim:

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts…

The Preface for the Third Sunday of Lent [The Samaritan Woman] may be used when the Year A Gospel is proclaimed.

Communion Antiphon:

The sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for her young;
by your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
Blessed are they who dwell in your house,
for ever singing your praise. Psalm 84:4-5 [Roman Missal]

The Communion Antiphon, "For anyone who drinks…" may be used when the Year A Gospel is proclaimed.

(B/C) Passer invenit sibi domum, et turtur nidum, ubi reponat pullos suos: altaria tua Domine virtutum, Rex meus, et Deus meus: beati qui habitant in domo tua, in sæculum sæculi laudabent te. Psalm 84:4-5 [Graduale Romanum, p.306]
Psalm 84:2-3a,3b,9,10,11,12,13 can also be sung between repetitions of this antiphon.

The Communion Antiphon, "Qui biberit…" may be used when the Year A Gospel is proclaimed. [Graduale Romanum, p.99]

The Communion Antiphon, "Qui biberit…" may be used when the Year A Gospel is proclaimed. [Gregorian Missal, p.258/278]

Illuminatio mea, et salus mea Dominus. [Graduale simplex, p.101]
Verses of Psalm 27 can also be sung between repetitions of this antiphon.

Prayer after Communion:

As we receive the pledge
of things yet hidden in hea- ven,

and are nourished while still on earth
with the Bread that comes from on high,

we humbly entreat you, O Lord,
that what is being brought about in this mystery
may come to true com -pletion.

Through Christ our Lord. A-men.

Prayer over the People:

Direct, O Lord, we pray, the hearts of your faithful,
and in your kindness grant your servants this grace:
that, abiding in the love of you and their neighbor,
they may fulfill the whole of your commands.
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.

Liturgical InformationThe Third Sunday of Lent (C)

Liturgical Color: Violet

Themes: deliverance, justice, repentance, awe

Entrance Antiphon [Introit]:

Collect:

Lectionary Readings:

Offertory Antiphon:

Prayer over the Offerings:

Preface I of Lent: [The spiritual meaning of Lent]

Communion Antiphon:

Prayer after Communion:

Prayer over the People:

Liturgical Information
The Third Sunday of Lent (C)