Palm Sunday and Easter Triduum Liturgy Guidelines and Checklist

Based from the Cebu Archdiocesan Commission on Worship Updated Liturgical Guidelines for
Lent and Easter Triduum 2021 and Handbook for the Ministry of Sacristans and Ministry of
Altar Servers and the General Instruction of the Roman Missal.
N.B – Images are covered with violet cloth on Saturday afternoon before Palm Sunday.
1. Palm Sunday
 Solemn Entrance – Modified 2nd Form
 Usual Entrance at the main door or at the sacristy (with or without ceriales and
incense?)
 Hosanna or any appropriate hymn may be sung.
 The presider proceeds the sanctuary.
 Lectern and Microphone should be prepared and be placed below the
sanctuary.
 The priest will roam around the chapel and the faithful must remain in their
respective places.

 The priest greets the people in the usual way.

 Sign of the cross
 Greetings
 Addresses the congregation (Dear brethren…)

 The priest says one of the following prayers (Blessing of Palms)

 As The Lord Entered or another appropriate chant is sung
 Then sprinkles the branches with Holy Water without saying anything.
 N.B. – Those who are staying at home following the online streaming. Palms
or leaf branches may be used. No holy water is needed.

 Reading taken from Mt. 21:1-11 – Year A ( If appropriate, Incense may be used)

 The priest, after reading the Gospel proceeds to the sanctuary and venerates the
altar.
 The Introductory Rites is omitted.
 If appropriate, Kyrie Eleison is omitted.
 The Presider says the Collect.
 Mass continues as usual.

 The Narrative of the Lord’s Passion

 Two lectors are enough to read the Passion Narrative with the priest-presider,
each given the proper roles of the characters in the Gospel narration.
 No candles or incense

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  No Greetings or kissing of the book
 A period of silence may be observed.
 Homily must be delivered.

 Check list for the Sacristan Mayor

 Ensure that all sacred images (except the cross) are covered or veiled with
violet cloth (images are covered on Saturday afternoon before Palm Sunday)
 If applicable, Thurible, charcoals, incense boat with incense powder,
processional cross and processional candles.
 Palms or palm branches for the priest
 Wireless Microphone and Movable Lectern.

2. Maundy Thursday – Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper

 The Mass of the Lord’s Supper is celebrated in the evening at a convenient time.
 The Altar may be decorated with flowers with a moderation that accords with the
character of this day.
 The tabernacle should be entirely empty; but a sufficient amount of bread should
be consecrated in this Mass for the Communion of the clergy and the people on
this day and on Good Friday.
 After the celebration the Blessed Sacrament will be reposed in the sacristy in
silence. The church will be closed from then on till the next celebration.
 Another option, if decided to have the Altar of Repose, is to open the Church for
the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for a short period of time, e.g. 1 hour, then
the church is closed and public adoration is ended.
 Visita Iglesia is discouraged.
 Motorcade of the Blessed Sacrament around the vicinity of the church can be
done, if there’s no Altar of Repose.

 During the Mass

 Mass will be celebrated as usual with Processional Candles, Processional
Cross, Thurible, and Incense Boat.
 The presentation/reception of the Holy Oils can be done.
(Roman Missal, Chrism Mass No. 15)
 Introduction
a. It is appropriate that the oil of the Sick, the Oil of Catechumens,
and the Holy Chrism which are blessed by the Bishop during the
Chrism Mass be presented to and received the local community.
b. The presentation of the holy Oils may take place at the Mass of the
Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday or, if the Oils are not blessed on
Holy Thursday (Chrism Mass), on another day.

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 c. The oils should be reserved in a suitable repository in the
presbyterium or near the baptismal font.

 Rite of Reception of the Holy Oils

d. The Oils, in suitable vessels, are carried in the Entrance Procession
by ministers. The vessels of oil are placed on a table which has
been prepared for them in the sanctuary. The priest may insence
the Oils after the priest incensed the altar.
e. After the Greetings of the Mass the Priest may briefly explain the
significance of the blessing of the Oils and their use. The Oils are
then placed in the repository where they are to be reserved and the
Mass continues in the usual manner.
f. The following, or other words, may be used to explain the
significance of the Oils:

Oil of the Sick

Blessed be God who heals the sick and comforts the afflicted. May
the sick who anointed with this oil experience the compassion of
Christ and his saving love, in body, mind, and soul.
Response: Blessed be God for ever.

Oil of Catechumens
Blessed be God who anoints those preparing for Baptism. Through
this anointing they are strengthened by Christ to resist the power of
Satan and reject evil in all its forms, as they prepare for the saving
waters of baptism.
Response: Blessed be God for ever.

Holy Chrism
Blessed be God who anoints his chosen ones. By the anointing
with this perfumed Chrism, the Holy Spirit anoints and fills with
grace those who are baptized, confirmed and ordained, and makes
them Christs, the anointed ones.
Response: Blessed be God for ever.

Mass continues as usual.

 During the Singing of the Gloria in excelsis (Glory to God in the highest) bells
are rung, and when the singing of the Gloria is finished, the bells are to be
remained silent until the Gloria in excelsis of the Easter Vigil.

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  The kissing of the Book of Gospel is discouraged.

 Washing of the Feet

 The Washing of the Feet follows after the homily.

 A simplified Washing of the Feet may be done during this celebration.
The number of the person whose feet are to be washed need not to be
12 as accustomed. There can be less than 12 but not more than twelve.
 It is recommended to have (1) or (2) ministers only whose feet are to
be washed by the priest.
 The priest removing his chasuble goes to each of the ministers, and
with the help of other ministers assisting the priest must bring the
following: alcohol, soup, basin, towel, gremial for the priest and a
pitcher of water.
 The priest is discouraged to kiss the foot of the minister/s after dying it
with towel.
 During the Washing of the Feet an appropriate chant may be sung.
 After the Washing of the Feet, the priest washes and dries his hands,
puts the chasuble back on, and returns to the chair, and from there he
directs the Universal Prayer.
 The Creed is not said.

 The Liturgy of the Eucharist

 At the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, there may be a
procession of the faithful in which gifts for the poor may presented
with the bread and wine.
 An appropriate chant is sung.

 The Communion Rite

 During Communion the Act of Spiritual Communion is prayed.
 After the distribution of Communion to the faithful, a ciborium with
hosts for Communion on the next day is left at the altar. Following the
Post-Communion Prayer or Prayer after Communion, the Transfer of
the Most Blessed Sacrament to the Sacristy or to Altar of Repose takes
place.
 When the celebration has ended, the altar is stripped privately. It is
fitting that any crosses be covered with red or purple veil. Lamps
should not be lit before the images of saints.

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  Check list for the Sacristan Mayor
 Seats for those ministers whose feet will be washed.
 Credence Table: pitcher of water, hand towels, chalice paten with big host,
pall, corporal, purificator, extra corporals and purificators, book rest, wine and
water cruets, enough hosts for communion until Friday of the Lord’s passion,
ciboria, oil repository or ambry, and bells during Gloria.
 Red Vestments for the priest
 White humeral veil and ciborium for the Blessed Sacrament
 Chapel of Eucharistic reservation: Empty tabernacle, unveiled, with doors
open, and a key at hand, simple decorations, lamp removed, candles are unlit
 Robe stand or place for resting the chasuble during the Washing of the Feet.
 White Gremial for the priest, Alcohol, Large Pitchers with water, large basins,
towels for drying the feet, basin of soap, pitcher of water and towel for hand
washing of the priest.

3. Good Friday
 The Good Friday Liturgy is done in the usual way as suggested in the Roman
Missal.
 Holy Communion is distributed to the faithful only within the celebration of the
Lord’s Passion; but it may be brought at any hour of the day to the sick who
cannot participate in this celebration.
 The altar should be completely bare: without a cross, without candles and without
cloths.
 The Celebration of the Passion of the Lord
 On the afternoon of this day, about 3 o’clock (unless a later hour is chosen for
a pastoral reason), there takes place the celebration of the Lord’s Passion
consisting of three parts, namely the Liturgy of the Word, the Adoration of the
Cross, and Holy Communion.
 The Priest and the Deacon, if a Deacon is present, wearing red vestments as
for Mass, go to the altar in silence and, after making a reverence to the altar,
prostrate themselves or, if appropriate, kneel and pray in silence for a while.
All others kneel.
 Then the Priest, with the ministers, goes to the chair where, facing the people,
who are standing with hands extended, he says one of the following prayers,
omitting the invitation.


 First Part: Liturgy of the Word

 Two lectors are enough to read the Passion Narrative with the priest-presider,
each given the proper roles of the characters in the Gospel narration.

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  After the reading of the Lord’s Passion, the Priest gives a brief homily and, at
its end, the faithful may be invited to spend a short time in prayer.

 The Solemn Intercession

 The Liturgy of the Word concludes with the Solemn Intercession, which take
place in this way: the Deacon is present, or if he is not, a lay minister, stands
at the ambo, and sings or says the invitation in which the intention is
expressed. Then all pray in silence for a while, and afterwards the Priest
standing at the chair or, if appropriate, at the altar, with hands extended, sings
or says the prayer. The faithful may remain either kneeling or standing
throughout the entire period of the prayers.
 Before the Priest’s prayer, in accord with tradition, it is permissible to use the
Deacon’s invitations Let us kneel – Let us stand, with all kneeling for silent
prayer.
 A special intention for the Covid-19 victims, doctors and nurses, health
workers, the front-liners and those who have died may be added to the Prayers
of the Faithful. Here is the suggested intention and prayer:
IX b. For the afflicted in time of pandemic
 Minister: Let us pray also for all those who suffer the consequences of the
current pandemic, that God the Father may grant health to the sick, strength
to those who care for them, comfort to families and salvation to all the victims
who have died.
Prayer in silence. Then the Priest says:
 Almighty ever-living God, only support of our human weakness, look with
compassion upon the sorrowful condition of your children who suffer because
of this pandemic; relieve the pain of the sick, give strength to those who care
for them, welcome into your peace those who have died and, throughout this
time of tribulation, grant that we may all find comfort in your merciful love.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 The Adoration of the Holy Cross

 After the Solemn Intercessions, the solemn Adoration of the Holy Cross takes
place. Of the two forms of the showing of the Cross presented here, the more
appropriate one, according to pastoral needs, should be chosen
 The Showing of the Holy Cross – First Form is used
 The Priest accompanied by minsters, or another suitable minister, goes
to the sacristy from which, in procession, accompanied by two
ministers with lighted candles, he carries the Cross, covered with a
violet veil, through the church to the middle of the sanctuary. The
Priest standing before the altar facing the people receives the Cross,
uncovers a little of its upper part and elevates it while beginning the
Ecce lignum Crucis (Behold the wood of the Cross). He is assisted in
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 singing by the Deacon or, if needed be, by the choir. All respond,
Come, let us adore. At the end of the singing, all kneel and for a brief
moment adore in silence, while the Priest stands and holds the Cross
raised.
 Then the Priest uncovers the right arm of the Cross and again, raising
up the Cross, begins, Behold the wood of the Cross and everything
takes place as above.
 Finally, he uncovers the Cross entirely and raising it up, he begins the
invitation Behold the wood of the Cross a third time and everything
takes place like the first time.

 Second Part: The Adoration of the Holy Cross

 Accompanied by two ministers with two lighted candles, the Priest or
the Deacon carries the Cross to the entrance of the sanctuary or to
another suitable place and there puts it down or hands it over to the
ministers to hold. Candles are placed on the right and left sides of the
Cross.
 The Presider alone will do the kissing in veneration of the Cross. The
faithful will be asked to make a common gesture of adoration of the
cross together.
 While the adoration of the Holy Cross is taking place, the antiphon
Crucem tuam adoramus or other suitable chants are sung, during
which all who have already adored the Cross remain seated.

 Third Part: Holy Communion

 A cloth is spread on the altar, and a corporal and the Missal put in
place. Meanwhile the Deacon or, if there is no Deacon, the Priest
himself, putting on a humeral veil, brings the Blessed Sacrament back
from the place of repose to the altar by a shorter route, while all stand
in silence. Two ministers with lighted candles accompany the Blessed
Sacrament and place their candlesticks around or upon the altar.
 When the Deacon, if a Deacon is present, has placed the Blessed
Sacrament upon the altar and uncovered the ciborium, the Priest goes
to the altar and genuflects.
 The Priest invites the people in praying the Lord’s Prayer.
 Communion follows (Act of Spiritual Communion should be said)
 When the distribution of Communion has been completed, the
ciborium is taken by the Deacon or another suitable minister to a place
prepared outside the church or, if circumstances so require, it is placed
in the tabernacle.
 The priest says the Prayer after Communion.
 Final Blessing over the People
 Genuflect to the cross, depart in silence.

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  After the celebration, the altar is stripped, but the Cross remains on the
altar with two or four candlesticks.

 Checklist for the Sacristan Mayor

 No decorations of any type
 Altar should be completely bare.
 Space for prostration of the priest celebrant. In front of the sanctuary.
 Large crucifix (veiled with violet cloth) with base for veneration of the
faithful, two or four candles and collection baskets for later placement near
the crucifix, matches, white cloth for later placement on the altar before
Communion Rite, corporal, ciboria for communion.
 Credence Table: lavabo, hand towels, extra purificators, book rest, Alcohol,
wooden clappers.
 Red Vestments for priest
 Humeral Veil
 Chapel of Eucharistic Adoration: Tabernacle with the Blessed Sacrament,
with doors closed (and a key at hand) simple decorations, one candle lit beside
the tabernacle.
 Gospel Book, Roman Missal, Lectionary
 Copy of Solemn Intercessions (which includes the updated intercession in the
time of pandemic).

4. The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night (Easter Vigil)

 The Blessing of the Fire and Preparaionof the Candle or Lucenarium may be done
outside the church. If this is not possible it can be celebrated within the building
of the Chruch.
 The kissing of the Book of the Gospels is discouraged
 The Blessing of water and the “Renewal of Baptismal Promises” is retained. The
Renewal of Baptismal Promises is observed in the usual manner with greater
emphasis.
 Liturgical Instructions:
 By most ancient tradition, this is the night of keeping vigil for the Lord (Ex 12: 42), in
which, following the Gospel admonition (Lk 12: 35-37), the faithful, carrying lighted
lamps in their hands, should be like those looking for the Lord when he returns, so that at
his coming he may find them awake and have them sit at his table.

 Of this night’s Vigil, which is the greatest and most noble of all solemnities, there is to be
only one celebration in each church. It is arranged, moreover, in such a way that after the
Lucernarium and Easter Proclamation (which constitutes the first part of this Vigil), Holy
Church meditates on the wonders the Lord God has done for his people from the
beginning, trusting in his word and promise (the second part, that is, the Liturgy of the
Word) until, as day approaches, with new members reborn in Baptism (the third part), the

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 Church is called to the table the Lord has prepared for his people, the memorial of his
Death and Resurrection until he comes again (the fourth part).
 The entire celebration of the Easter Vigil must take place during the night, so that it
begins after nightfall and ends before daybreak on the Sunday.

 The Mass of the Vigil, even if it is celebrated before midnight, is a paschal Mass of the
Sunday of the Resurrection.

 Anyone who participates in the Mass of the night may receive Communion again at
Mass during the day. A Priest who celebrates or concelebrates the Mass of the night may
again celebrate or concelebrate Mass during the day. The Easter Vigil takes the place of
the Office of Readings.

 The Priest is usually assisted by a Deacon. If, however, there is no Deacon, the duties of
his Order, except those indicated below, are assumed by the Priest Celebrant or by a
concelebrant. The Priest and Deacon vest as at Mass, in white vestments.

 Candles should be prepared for all who participate in the Vigil. The lights of the church
are extinguished.

 First Part:
The Solemn Beginning of the Vigil or Lucernarium
The Blessing of the Fire and Preparation of the Candle

 A blazing fire is prepared in a suitable place outside the church. When the people are
gathered there, the Priest approaches with the ministers, one of whom carries the paschal
candle. The processional cross and candles are not carried. Where, however, a fire cannot
be lit outside the church, the rite is carried out as in no. 13, below.

 The Priest and faithful sign themselves while the Priest says: In the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and then he greets the assembled people in the
usual way and briefly instructs them about the night vigil.

 Then the Priest blesses the fire, with hands extended.

 After the blessing of the new fire, one of the ministers brings the paschal candle to the
Priest, who cuts a cross into the candle with a stylus. Then he makes the Greek letter
Alpha above the cross, the letter Omega below, and the four numerals of the current year
between the arms of the cross.

 When the cutting of the cross and of the other signs has been completed, the Priest may
insert five grains of incense into the candle in the form of a cross.
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  Where, because of difficulties that may occur, a fire is not lit, the blessing of fire is
adapted
to the circumstances. When the people are gathered in the church as on other occasions,
the Priest comes to the door of the church, along with the ministers carrying the paschal
candle. The people, insofar as is possible, turn to face the Priest. The greeting and address
take place as in no. 9 above; then the fire is blessed and the candle is prepared, as above
in nos. 10-12.

 The Priest lights the paschal candle from the new fire, saying: May the light of Christ
rising in glory dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.

 When the candle has been lit, one of the ministers takes burning coals from the fire and
places them in the thurible, and the Priest puts incense into it in the usual way. The
Deacon or, if there is no Deacon, another suitable minister, takes the paschal candle and a
procession forms. The thurifer with the smoking thurible precedes the Deacon or other
minister who carries the paschal candle. After them follows the Priest with the ministers
and the people, all holding in their hands unlit candles.

At the door of the church the Deacon, standing and raising up the candle, sings:
The Light of Christ.
And all reply:
Thanks be to God.

 Then the Deacon moves forward to the middle of the church and, standing and raising up
the candle, sings a second time:
The Light of Christ.
And all reply:
Thanks be to God.
All light their candles from the flame of the paschal candle and continue in procession.

 When the Deacon arrives before the altar, he stands facing the people, raises up the
candle and sings a third time:
The Light of Christ.
And all reply:
Thanks be to God.
Then the Deacon places the paschal candle on a large candle stand prepared next to the
ambo or in the middle of the sanctuary.
And lights are lit throughout the church including church lights, except for the altar
candles.

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  Arriving at the altar, the Priest goes to his chair, gives his candle to a minister, puts
incense into the thurible and blesses the incense as at the Gospel at Mass. The Deacon
goes to the Priest, asks for and receives a blessing from the Priest.
This blessing is omitted if the Proclamation is made by someone who is not a Deacon.

 The Deacon, after incensing the book and the candle, proclaims the Easter Proclamation
(Exsultet) at the ambo or at a lectern, with all standing and holding lighted candles in
their hands. The Easter Proclamation may be made, in the absence of a Deacon, by the
Priest himself or by another concelebrating Priest. If, however, because of necessity, a lay
cantor sings the Proclamation, the words Therefore, “dearest friends…” up to the end of
the invitation are omitted along with the greeting “The Lord be with you.”
Continue to the Liturgy of the Word.

 Second Part:
The Liturgy of the Word
 In this Vigil, the mother of all Vigils, nine readings are provided, namely seven from the
Old Testament and two from the New (the Epistle and Gospel), all of which should be
read whenever this can be done, so that the character of the Vigil, which demands an
extended period of time, may be preserved.

 Nevertheless, where more serious pastoral circumstances demand it, the number of
readings from the Old Testament may be reduced, always bearing in mind that the
reading of the Word of God is a fundamental part of this Easter Vigil. At least three
readings should be read from the Old Testament, both from the Law and from the
Prophets, and their respective Responsorial should be sung. Never, moreover, should the
reading of chapter 14 of Exodus with its canticle be omitted.

 After setting aside their candles, all sit. Before the readings begin, the Priest instructs the
People to listen to the readings.

 Then the readings follow. A reader goes to the ambo and proclaims the reading.
Afterwards a psalmist or a cantor sings or says the Psalm with the people making the
response. Then all rise, the Priest says, Let us pray and, after all have prayed for a while
in silence, he says the prayer corresponding to the reading. In place of the Responsorial
Psalm a period of sacred silence may be observed, in which case the pause after Let us
pray is omitted.

 After the last reading from the Old Testament with its Responsorial Psalm and its prayer,
the altar candles are lit, and the Priest intones the hymn Gloria in excelsis Deo (Glory to
God in the highest), which is taken up by all, while bells are rung.

 Then the reader proclaims the Epistle. After the Epistle, the Priest intones the Alleluia
three times. If necessary the psalmist intones the alleluia.

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  The priest puts incense in the usual way without candles, only the incense is carried.

 After the Homily The Baptismal Liturgy follows.

 Third Part:
Baptismal Liturgy

 No Baptism will take place, we will proceed to the Blessing of Baptismal Font (if there’s
no one to be baptized) and Blessing Baptismal Water or we opt to the Blessing of Water.
If we proceed to the Blessing of Water after the blessing we will proceed directly the
Renewal of Baptismal Promise.

 For the Blessing of Baptismal Water, the priest blesses the baptismal water, saying the
prayer with hands extended.

 And if appropriate lowering the paschal candle into the water either once or three times
he continues the prayer.

 After the prayer the candle is lifted out of the water. The people will respond “Amen”
after the prayer. After the Amen the people will respond “Springs of water, bless he Lord;
praise and exalt him above all for ever.”

 Then the Renewal of Baptismal Promises follows. The people must hold their lighted
candles and renew the promise of their baptismal faith.

 Then the priest sprinkles the baptismal water to the faithful while holding their lighted
candles.

 Creed is omitted then directs the General Intercession or Universal Prayer.

 After the Universal Prayer the Liturgy of the Eucharist takes place and the mass
continues as usual. The Faithful must unlit their candles after Universal Prayer.

 Checklist for the Sacristan Mayor

 No decorations of any type
 Grand and festive decorations
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  Simple and large bonfire (charcoal or wood, matches, fuel, receptacle – create
a bonfire), Easter Candle, thurible, incense boat with incense powder (Easter
Scent), material for decoration of candle (stylus, incense granins), tongs,
portable light system or flashlight, fire extinguishers.
 Ceriales
 Stand or Base for the Easter Candle with flowers
 Altar should be covered with white cloth, candles for the altar
 Standby copy for the exultet, Litany of Saints when there is Baptism, and
General Intercession when there is no Baptism.
 Credence Table: lavabo, chalice, paten with big host, pall, corporal,
purificator, extra corporal and purificators, book rest, cruets, hosts for
communion, ciboria, and bells during Gloria
 White Vestments for the priest
 Gospel Book, Roman Missal, Lectionary
 Microphones
 Visual Display
 Tabernacle and lamp must be place beside the tabernacle.

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