| DIES | 22 Sun | 23 Mon | 24 Tue | 25 Wed | 26 Thu | 27 Fri | 28 Sat | 29 Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Officium | Dominica de Passione | Feria II infra Hebdomada Passionis | Feria III infra Hebdomada Passionis | In Annuntiatione Beate Mariæ Virgine | Feria V infra Hebdomada Passionis | Septem Dolorum Beatæ Mariæ Virginis | Sabbato infra Hebdomada Passionis | Dominica in Palmis |
| Classis | Dominica I. classis | Feria major | Feria major | Duplexx I | Feria Major | Duplex major | Feria major | Dominica I. classis |
| Color | Purpura | Purpura | Purpura | Albus | Purpura | Albus | Purpura | Purpura |
| Missa | Júdica me | Miserére mihi | Exspécta Dóminum | Vultum tuum | Omnia, quae fecisti | Stabant juxta crucem | Miserere mei | Dómine, ne longe |
| Orationes | 2a. A cunctis | 2a. A cunctis | 2a. A cunctis | 2a. Feria IV | 2a. A cunctis | 2a. Feria VI | 2a. S. Joannis a Capistrano | NA |
| Notae | Tract. Cr. Pref. de Sancta Cruce | Tract. Pref. de Sancta Cruce | Tract. Gl. Pref. de Sancta Cruce | Tract.. Gl. Cr. Pref. de BMV Ev. ult. propr. | Tract. Pref. de Sancta Cruce | Tract.. Seq. Cr. Pref. de BMV Ev. ult. propr. | Tract. Gl. Pref. de Sancta Cruce | Tract. Cr.. Pássio Dómini Pref. de Sancta Cruce |
| Votiva | omit. Preparatio | non omit. Preparatio | omit. Preparatio | omit. Preparatio | omit. Preparatio | omit. Preparatio | omit. Preparatio | omit. Preparatio |
| Nota Bene | Post Septuagesimam Alleluia omittitur in omnibus horis; Missae votivae privatae permittuntur sine Gloria et Credo. | |||||||
After Septuagesima, the Alleluia is entirely omitted, even on saints’ feasts. Votive Masses are permitted privately, but always without Gloria or Credo. The Church’s pedagogy is unmistakable: joy is not abolished, but disciplined, ordered toward the Paschal victory that lies beyond Lent.
General Rubrical Norms of Passiontide
Passiontide begins with Dominica de Passione (Passion Sunday) and extends through Holy Saturday. Liturgically, it is a distinct sub-season within Lent, marked by intensified austerity and Christological focus.
From First Vespers of Passion Sunday:
The Preparation: the psalm Judica me is omitted entirely during Passiontide (as at Requiem Masses).
Gloria Patri is omitted at the Preparation, at the Introit, in Lavabo, in Asperges (if used), praying the Breviary it is omitted entirely ie after the Incipit in Responsories (after the versicle) and after psalms.
Veiling of Images (Velatio Crucium et Imaginum) All crosses and images are veiled in violet. Crosses remain veiled until Good Friday (during the Adoration). Other images remain veiled until Easter Vigil.
Orations: Ferias → only include A cunctis as the second collect, no other Collect is permitted; Feasts → include commemoration of the Passiontide feria only.
Gloria in excelsis: omitted except on feasts (e.g., Annunciation). Alleluia: already suppressed since Septuagesima, the Tract replaces Alleluia in all Masses.
Preface of the Holy Cross (de Sancta Cruce) in all Ferial Masses throughout Passiontide except on feasts.
Dismissal: as throughout Lent and whenever the Gloria is not recited, Ite missa est is replaced with Benedicamus Domino.
Sunday, 22 March — Dominica de Passione
Station: San Pietro in Vaticano
Classis: I classis
Color: Purpura
Missa: Judica me
Orationes: 2a A cunctis
Notae: Tractus; Credo; Preface of the Holy Cross
At the tomb of the Prince of the Apostles, Passiontide begins with a liturgical rupture. The Psalm is removed from Judica me, the Gloria Patri disappears, and the tone becomes juridical and confrontational. The Church stands at the centre of apostolic authority only to contemplate rejection and sacrifice. The Cross now governs interpretation: not yet seen, but already operative.
The liturgy now becomes more austere and more focused on the mystery of the Cross. The faithful are invited to accompany Christ more closely on the road to Calvary, preparing their hearts for the sacred drama that will unfold in the coming days.
Monday, 23 March — Feria II infra Hebdomadam Passionis
Station: San Crisogono
Classis: Feria major
Color: Purpura
Missa: Miserére mihi
Orationes: 2a A cunctis
Notae: Tractus; Preface of the Holy Cross
In Trastevere, among the quieter witnesses of early Rome, the liturgy becomes intensely interior. The Tract prolongs penitence; the Church pleads rather than proclaims. St Chrysogonus frames the day with silent endurance. Passiontide advances not by spectacle, but by persistence.
Tuesday, 24 March — Feria III infra Hebdomadam Passionis
Station: San Ciriaco (S. Cyriacus)
Classis: Feria major
Color: Purpura
Missa: Exspécta Dóminum
Orationes: 2a A cunctis
Notae: Tractus; (Gloria omitted); Preface of the Holy Cross
At the shrine of a martyr associated with deliverance from evil, the liturgy highlights spiritual combat. Exspécta Dóminum is not passive waiting but endurance under pressure. The Passion is already active in the soul: conflict, delay, purification.
Wednesday, 25 March — In Annuntiatione Beatæ Mariæ Virginis
Station: San Marcello al Corso
Classis: Duplex I classis
Color: Albus
Missa: Vultum tuum
Orationes: 2a de Feria IV Passionis
Notae: Gloria; Tractus; Credo; Preface of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Proper Last Gospel
At St Marcellus, marked by trial and restoration, the Annunciation breaks into Passiontide with restrained splendour. The Gloria returns, yet the Tract remains—a striking juxtaposition. The Incarnation is proclaimed not apart from the Cross, but as its beginning. The fiat is already sacrificial.
Thursday, 26 March — Feria V infra Hebdomadam Passionis
Station: San Apollinare
Classis: Feria major
Color: Purpura
Missa: Omnia, quae fecisti
Orationes: 2a A cunctis
Notae: Tractus; Preface of the Holy Cross
At the church of the apostolic martyr Apollinaris, the liturgy confronts divine justice. “All that Thou hast done… Thou hast done in true judgment.” The Cross is not merely compassion—it is rectitude fulfilled. The faithful are prepared to see suffering as meaningful, not arbitrary.
Friday, 27 March — Septem Dolorum Beatæ Mariæ Virginis
Station: Santo Stefano Rotondo (Caelian Hill)
Classis: Duplex major
Color: Albus
Missa: Stabant juxta crucem
Orationes: 2a de Feria VI Passionis
Notae: Tractus; Sequence (Stabat Mater); Credo; Preface of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Proper Last Gospel
At the circular martyrial basilica of St Stephen, the Church contemplates Mary at the Cross. The white vestments do not diminish sorrow but dignify it. The Sequence gives full voice to affective participation. Here Passiontide becomes experiential: the faithful are drawn not only to observe, but to stand with her.
Saturday, 28 March — Sabbato infra Hebdomadam Passionis
Station: San Giovanni a Porta Latina
Classis: Feria major
Color: Purpura
Missa: Miserere mei
Orationes: 2a S. Joannis a Capistrano
Notae: Tractus; (Gloria omitted); Preface of the Holy Cross
Near the site of St John’s attempted martyrdom, the liturgy returns to silence and penitence. The repetition of Miserere is deliberate: Passiontide deepens by returning to the same cry. Fidelity, not novelty, prepares the soul for Holy Week.
Sunday, 29 March — Dominica in Palmis
Station: San Giovanni in Laterano
Classis: I classis
Color: Purpura
Missa: Domine, ne longe
Orationes: —
Notae: Blessing of palms; Procession; Tractus; Passion according to St Matthew; Preface of the Holy Cross
At the Lateran, Mother and Head of all churches, the liturgy unites triumph and Passion. The procession proclaims Christ as King; the Mass proclaims His suffering. The Church does not reconcile these—it holds them together. Kingship is revealed as sacrifice. The Cross is no longer veiled—it is proclaimed.
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