INTRODUCTORY RITES:

After the people have assembled, the Archbishop, the concelebrating presbyter(s) and the ministers go to the altar while the entrance song is being sung.

When the Archbishop and other concelebrating priests come to the altar, they make the customary sign of reverence with the ministers, and kiss the altar. The altar at this point is incensed by the archbishop. Then, the Archbishop goes to the chair.

Entrance Song

Sign of the CrossArchbishop: In the name of the Father, and of the

Son, and of the Holy Spirit.People: Amen

Greeting Archbishop: Peace be with you.People: And with your spirit.

Penitential RiteArchbishop: To prepare ourselves to celebrate the

sacred mysteries, let us call to mind our sins.

A pause for silent reflection follows. I confess to almighty God, and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin, all the angels and saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.

Archbishop: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.

People: Amen

Kyrie:

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Opening Prayer:

With hands joined, the Archbishop says the following prayer:

Let us pray.

The Archbishop and people pray silently for a while. Then with hand extended the Archbishop continues:

Archbishop: Father of peace,we are joyful in your Word,your Son Jesus Christ,who reconciles us to you.Let us hasten toward Easter with the eagerness of faith and love.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

All: Amen

LITURGY OF THE WORD

First Reading: 1 Sm 16:1,6-7,10-13

The reader goes to the lectern for the first reading. All sit and listen. To indicate the end, the reader adds: This is the Word of the Lord. All respond: Thanks be to God.

A reading from the book of Samuel

The LORD said to Samuel:“Fill your horn with oil, and be on your way.I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have chosen my king from among his sons.”As Jesse and his sons came to the sacrifice, Samuel looked at Eliab and thought,

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“Surely the LORD’s anointed is here before him.”But the LORD said to Samuel: “Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him.Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the LORD looks into the heart.”In the same way Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen any one of these.”Then Samuel asked Jesse,“Are these all the sons you have?”Jesse replied,“There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep.”Samuel said to Jesse,“Send for him; we will not begin the sacrificial banquet until he arrives here.”Jesse sent and had the young man brought to them.He was ruddy, a youth handsome to behold and making a splendid appearance.The LORD said,“There—anoint him, for this is the one!”Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand, anointed David in the presence of his brothers; and from that day on, the spirit of the LORD rushed upon David.

The word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 23:1-3,3-4,5-6

The cantor sings the psalm, and the people respond.

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.In verdant pastures he gives me repose;beside restful waters he leads me;he refreshes my soul.R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

He guides me in right pathsfor his name’s sake.Even though I walk in the dark valleyI fear no evil; for you are at my sideWith your rod and your staff

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that give me courage.R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

You spread the table before mein the sight of my foes;you anoint my head with oil;my cup overflows.R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Only goodness and kindness follow meall the days of my life;and I shall dwell in the house of the LORDfor years to come.R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Second Reading: Eph 5:8-14

The reader goes to the lectern for the first reading. All sit and listen. To indicate the end, the reader adds: This is the Word of the Lord. All respond: Thanks be to God.

A reading from the letter of Paul to the Ephesians

Brothers and sisters:You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth.Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention the things done by them in secret; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light.Therefore, it says:“Awake, O sleeper,and arise from the dead,and Christ will give you light.”

The Word of the Lord. Gospel: Jn 9: 1-41

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Meanwhile, if incense is used, the priest puts some in the censer. Then the priest, who is to proclaim the gospel bows to the priest and in a low voice asks his blessing: Father, give me your blessing.

A reading from the holy gospel according to John

As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth.His disciples asked him,“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”Jesus answered,“Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day.Night is coming when no one can work.While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”When he had said this, he spat on the groundand made clay with the saliva,and smeared the clay on his eyes,and said to him, “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” —which means Sent—.So he went and washed, and came back able to see.

His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, “Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?”Some said, “It is, “but others said, “No, he just looks like him.”He said, “I am.”So they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?”He replied,“The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyesand told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’So I went there and washed and was able to see.”And they said to him, “Where is he?”He said, “I don’t know.”

They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees.Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath.So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see.He said to them,“He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.”So some of the Pharisees said,“This man is not from God,because he does not keep the sabbath.”But others said,“How can a sinful man do such signs?”

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And there was a division among them.So they said to the blind man again, “What do you have to say about him,since he opened your eyes?”He said, “He is a prophet.”

Now the Jews did not believe that he had been blind and gained his sight until they summoned the parents of the one who had gained his sight.They asked them,“Is this your son, who you say was born blind?How does he now see?”His parents answered and said, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind.We do not know how he sees now,nor do we know who opened his eyes.Ask him, he is of age;he can speak for himself.”His parents said this because they were afraidof the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone acknowledged him as the Christ,he would be expelled from the synagogue.For this reason his parents said,“He is of age; question him.”

So a second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give God the praise!We know that this man is a sinner.”He replied,“If he is a sinner, I do not know.One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see.”So they said to him,“What did he do to you?How did he open your eyes?”He answered them,“I told you already and you did not listen.Why do you want to hear it again?Do you want to become his disciples, too?”They ridiculed him and said, “You are that man’s disciple;we are disciples of Moses!We know that God spoke to Moses, but we do not know where this one is from.”The man answered and said to them,“This is what is so amazing, that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes.

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We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him.It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind.If this man were not from God,he would not be able to do anything.”They answered and said to him,“You were born totally in sin,and are you trying to teach us?”Then they threw him out.

When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out,he found him and said, Do you believe in the Son of Man?”He answered and said, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?”Jesus said to him,“You have seen him,the one speaking with you is he.”He said,“I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him.Then Jesus said,“I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind.”

Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not also blind, are we?”Jesus said to them,“If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you are saying, ‘We see,’ so your sin remains.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Homily

Profession of Faith

Reading of the Document of the Blessing of the Foundation Stone and of the Beginning of the Church

After the profession of faith, the document of the blessing of the foundation stone and of the beginning of the building of the church may be read; it is signed by the bishop and by the representatives of those who are going to work on the building of the church, and together with the stones, is enclosed in the foundation.

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Blessing of the Sit e of the New Church

The archbishop takes off the miter, rises and blesses the site of the new church saying:

Archbishop: Lord,you fill the entire world with your

presencethat your name may be hallowed through all the earth.

Bless all thosewho have worked or contributedto provide this siteon which a church will be built.

Today may they rejoice in a work just begun,

soon may they celebrate the sacraments in your temple,and in time to come may they praise you for ever in heaven

We ask this through Christ our Lord.All: Amen

Then the archbishop put on the miter and sprinkles the site of the new church with holy water. To do this he may stand in the middle of the site or go in procession around the foundations.

Blessing and Laying of the foundation StoneThe archbishop goes to the place where the foundation stone is to laid and, taking off the miter, blesses the stone saying:

Archbishop: Father,the prophet Daniel spoke of your Son,as a stone wondrously hewn from a

mountain.

The apostle Paul spoke of him,as a stone firmly founded.

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Bless + this foundation stone to be laid in Christ’s name.

You appointed him the beginning and the end of all things.

May this work begin, continue,and be brought to fulfillment in him,for he is Lord for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

Then the archbishop may sprinkle the stone with holy water and incense it. Afterward he receives the miter again.

When he has finished, the archbishop lays the stone on the foundations in silence or, if he wishes, saying these or similar words:

Archbishop: With faith in Jesus Christwe lay this stone on which a church will rise.

May it be a place of sacramentand a source of grace to the glory of the Fatherwho with the Son and Holy Spiritlives and reigns for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

A stone mason then fixes the stone in with mortar.

Prayers of the Faithful

Archbishop: Let us pray to God our Father for the light of a personal and committed faith, and let us say:

Lord, let the light of Christ shine on us.

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For the Church, the people of God, that we may be the light of Christ to the world and proclaim his message of truth and love in the language of our time, let us pray to the Lord:

For all those blinded by doubt or despair, that they may see again the light of faith thorough the personal faith dedicated Christians and the witnessing of the Christian community, let us pray to the Lord:

For all who follow Christ, that their eyes may be wide open to the injustices in which they share, and that they may help to restore the hopes of people in God’s values of truth, dignity and justice, let us pray to the Lord:

For the victims of oppression and discrimination, for refugees and those struck by disasters, that we may not be blind to their needs but help them carry their burdens, let us pray to the Lord:

For our beloved dead, that the Lord may take them into his everlasting light and joy, let us pray to the Lord:

That all here present may be cleansed by his divine power and come to share in the celebration of his holy mysteries, let us pray to the Lord:

Archbishop: Lord our God, you brighten our lives with your goodness, justice and truth. May we see the light of Christ and live his life now and for ever. Amen.

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

Prayer over the Gifts:

Archbishop: Lord,we offer you these gifts which bring us peace and joy.

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increase our reverence by this Eucharist,

and bring salvation to the world.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Preface

Archbishop: The Lord be with you.People: And with your spirit.

Archbishop: Lift up your hearts.People: We lift them up to the Lord.

Archbishop: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.People: It is right and just

Archbishop: Father, powerful and ever-living God,

we do well always and everywhere

to give you thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord.

He came among us as a man, to lead mankind from darknessinto the light of faith.

Though Adam’s fall we were born as slaves of sin,

but now through baptism in Christwe are reborn as your adopted children.

Earth unites with heaven to sing the new song of creation,as we adore and praise you for ever:

SANCTUS: SUNG

The archbishop and the concelebrating priest with hands extended, says:

Lord, you are holy indeed,

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the fountain of all holiness.

He joins his hands and holding them outstretched over the offerings, says:

Let your Spirit come upon these gifts to make them holy, so that they may become for us

He joins his hands and, making the sign of the cross once over both bread and chalice, says:

the body + and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

He joins his hands.The words of the Lord in the following formulas should be spoken clearly and distinctly, as their meaning demands.

Before he was given up to death, a death he freely accepted,

He takes the bread and, raising it a little above the altar, continues:

he took bread and gave you thanks. He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said:

He bows slightly.Take this, all of you, and eat it:this is my body which will be given up for you.

He shows the consecrated host to the people, places it on the paten, and genuflects in adoration. Then he continues:

When supper was ended, he took the cup.

He takes the chalice and, raising it a little above the altar, continues:Again he gave you thanks and praise, gave the cup to his disciples, and said:

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He bows slightly.Take this, all of you, and drink from it: this is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant. It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in memory of me.

He shows the chalice to the people, places it on the corporal and genuflects in adoration.Then he sings or says:

Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:Memorial Acclamation: sung

Then, with hands extended, the archbishop says:In memory of his death and resurrection, we offer you, Father, this life-giving bread, this saving cup. We thank you for counting us worthy to stand in your presence and serve you. May all of us who share in the body and blood of Christ be brought together in unity by the Holy Spirit.

ConcelebrantLord, remember your Church throughout the world; make us grow in love, together with Benedict our Pope, Socrates and Renato our bishops, and all the clergy.

ConcelebrantRemember our brothers and sisters who have gone to their rest in the hope of rising again; bring them and all the departed into the light of your presence.Have mercy on us all;

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make us worthy to share eternal life with Mary, the virgin Mother of God, with the apostles, and with all the saints who have done your will throughout the ages. May we praise you in union with them, and give you glory

He joins his hands.through your Son, Jesus Christ.

Archbishop: Through Him, with Him, in Him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever.

People: Amen (sung)

Communion Rite

Lord’s PrayerThe archbishop sets down the chalice and paten and with hands joined sings or says:

Let us pray with confidence to the Father

in the words our Savior gave us.

He extends his hands and he continues, with the people:AMA MI: SUNG

With hands extended, the bishop continues alone:

Deliver us, Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

He joins his hands.

DoxologyThe people end the prayer with the acclamation:

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People: For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever.

Sign of Peace

Then the priest, with hands extended, says aloud:Lord, Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles: I leave you peace, my peace I give you. Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom

He joins his hands.where you live for ever and ever.

The people answer:Amen.

The archbishop, extending and joining his hands, adds:

The peace of the Lord be with you always.

The people answer:And with your spirit.

Then he may add:Let us offer each other the sign of

peace.All make an appropriate sign of peace, according to local custom. The priest gives the sign of peace to the deacon priest.

CommunionThe archbishop genuflects. Taking the host, he raises it slightly over the paten and, facing the people, says aloud:

This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper.

People: Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed.

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Prayer after Communion

Archbishop: Father,you enlighten all who come into the

world.Fill our hearts with the light of your

gospel,that our thoughts may please you,and our love be sincere.

Grant this through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE:

Bow your heads and pray for God’s blessing.

Archbishop: Blessed be the name of the LordAll: Now and forever.

Archbishop: Our help is in the name of the LordAll: Who made heaven and earth.

Archbishop: And may the blessing of almighty God: the Father +, and the Son +, and the Holy + Spirit, come upon you and remain with you for ever.

All: Amen.

DISMISSAL

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Deacon: The Mass is ended, go in peace.All: Thanks be to God.

The Final Hymn is sung.

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