| DIES | 29 Sun | 30 Mon | 31 Tue | 01 Wed | 02 Thu | 03 Fri | 04 Sat | 05 Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Officium | Dominica in Palmis | Feria Secunda Majoris Hebdomadæ | Feria Tertia Majoris Hebdomadæ | Feria Quarta Majoris Hebdomadæ | Feria Quinta in Coena Domini | Feria Sexta in Parasceve | Sabbato Sancto | Dominica Resurrectionis |
| Classis | Dominica I. classis | Feria privilegiata | Feria privilegiata | Feria privilegiata | Duplex I. classis | Feria privilegiata | Duplex I classis | Dominica I. classis |
| Color | Purpura | Purpura | Purpura | Purpura | Albus | Niger | iuxta rubricas | Albus |
| Missa | Dómine, ne longe | Júdica, Dómine | Nos autem gloriári | In nómine Jesu | Nos autem gloriári | Missa Praesanctificatorum | Ordo Cæremoniarum in Vigilia | Resurréxi |
| Orationes | NA | 2a. A cunctis | 2a. A cunctis | 2a. A cunctis | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Notae | Tract. Cr. Pássio Dómini Pref. de Sancta Cruce | Tract. Pref. de Sancta Cruce | Tract. Pássio Dómini Pref. de Sancta Cruce | Tract. Pássio Dómini Pref. de Sancta Cruce | Tract. Gl. Cr. Pref. de Sancta Cruce | iuxta rubricas | iuxta rubricas | Gl. Sq. Cr. Pref. de Paschalis |
| Votiva | omit. Preparatio | omit. Preparatio | omit. Preparatio | omit. Preparatio | omit. Preparatio | Translatio S. Isidori Hispalensis | ||
| Nota Bene | Post Septuagesimam Alleluia omittitur in omnibus horis; Missae votivae privatae permittuntur sine Gloria et Credo. | |||||||
* Color: Albus = White; Rubeum = Red; Viridis = Green; Purpura = Purple; Niger = Black
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, 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.
Monday, 30 March — Feria Secunda Majoris Hebdomadæ
Station: Santa Prassede
Classis: Feria privilegiata
Color: Purpura
Missa: Júdica, Dómine
Orationes: 2a A cunctis
Notae: Tract.; Preface of the Holy Cross
Within the ancient house-church of martyrdom, the cry for justice deepens. The liturgy is restrained, almost hushed. Christ is opposed, yet resolute. The Church follows Him not in outward drama, but in steady endurance under gathering hostility.
Tuesday, 31 March — Feria Tertia Majoris Hebdomadæ
Station: Santa Prisca
Classis: Feria privilegiata
Color: Purpura
Missa: Nos autem gloriári
Orationes: 2a A cunctis
Notae: Tract.; Passion (St Mark); Preface of the Holy Cross
The paradox sharpens: glory is found in the Cross. The Passion is proclaimed, not as defeat, but as victory concealed. The Church begins to speak openly of what the world cannot understand—that suffering borne in Christ becomes triumph.
Wednesday, 1 April — Feria Quarta Majoris Hebdomadæ (Spy Wednesday)
Station: Santa Maria Maggiore
Classis: Feria privilegiata
Color: Purpura
Missa: In nómine Jesu
Orationes: 2a A cunctis
Notae: Tract.; Passion (St Luke); Preface of the Holy Cross
Beneath the shadow of the great basilica of the Mother of God, betrayal comes into focus. Judas moves in secrecy, while Christ advances in obedience. The liturgy reveals the interior fracture of sin: not merely opposition, but treachery from within.
Thursday, 2 April — Feria Quinta in Coena Domini
Station: St John Lateran
Classis: Duplex I classis
Color: Albus
Missa: Nos autem gloriári
Orationes: —
Notae: Gloria; bells silenced after; Mandatum; Preface of the Holy Cross
The Church enters the Upper Room. The Gloria returns briefly, only to fall into silence. The Eucharist is given, the priesthood instituted, charity commanded. Yet even here, the Cross stands near. Love reveals itself as sacrifice.
Friday, 3 April — Feria Sexta in Parasceve
Station: Santa Croce in Gerusalemme
Classis: Feria privilegiata
Color: Niger
Missa: Missa Præsanctificatorum
Orationes: —
Notae: Passion (St John); Solemn Prayers; Adoration of the Cross; iuxta rubricas
At the basilica of the Holy Cross, the Church stands before the instrument of salvation. There is no Mass, no consecration—only the stark remembrance of sacrifice. The Cross is unveiled, venerated, and adored. Silence becomes the Church’s most eloquent proclamation.
Saturday, 4 April — Sabbato Sancto
Station: St John Lateran
Classis: Duplex I classis
Color: iuxta rubricas
Missa: Ordo Cæremoniarum in Vigilia
Orationes: —
Notae: Blessing of fire; Exsultet; Prophecies; Baptismal rites; Preface of Easter
In darkness, the new fire is kindled. The Paschal Candle breaks the night, and the long silence gives way to praise. The Vigil unfolds as the history of salvation culminates. Death yields, not by denial, but by transformation.
Sunday, 5 April — Dominica Resurrectionis
Station: St Mary Major
Classis: Dominica I classis
Color: Albus
Missa: Resurréxi
Orationes: —
Notae: Gloria; Sequence; Credo; Preface of Easter
The Church proclaims what she has awaited: Christ is risen. The silence is broken, the Alleluia restored, the light made manifest. The Resurrection is not merely remembered—it is entered into. The victory of Christ becomes the life of the faithful.
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