Greeting

In today's celebration, the Lord Jesus speaks to us:
"Repent, and believe in the good news." (pause)

May the Spirit who reconciles us with the Father be with you all.

Introduction and Litany of Praise

Option A

As we enter the season of Lent we begin a period of preparation to celebrate the central mystery of our faith, the Death and Resurrection of Jesus - THE PASCHAL MYSTERY. Let us ask the Lord to help us to use this time of grace to grow nearer to him.

Lord Jesus, you strengthen us when we are weak.
Lord, have mercy.

You lift us up when we fall.
Christ, have mercy.

You seek us out when we are lost.
Lord, have mercy.

Option B

LENT recalls the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert, during which time he was tempted by the devil. But through prayers, fasting, and fidelity to the word of God he overcame the tempter. We too have to face temptations. We need God's power to resist them. Lent provides us with a great opportunity to follow with confidence the footsteps of Jesus.

Lord, you call us to repentance.
Lord, have mercy.

Lord, you call us to self-denial.
Christ, have mercy.

Lord, you call us to prayer and works of charity.
Lord, have mercy.

Opening Prayer

Option A

God of the covenant,
as the forty days flood swept away the world's corruption
so in the saving flood of baptism
your people are washed clean and born again.

Throughout these forty days, we beg you,
unseal for us the wellspring of your grace,
cleanse our hearts of all that is not holy,
and cause your gift of new life to flourish once again.

Grant this through Christ, our liberator from sin,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
holy and mighty God for ever and ever. AMEN.

Option B

Gracious God,
while the waters of the great flood
cleansed and renewed a fallen world,
may we, mae holy through the saving waters of baptism
be touched again by the call to conversion
and dedicate our lives anew to the challenge of the Gospel.

Grant this through Christ, our liberator from sin,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
holy and mighty God for ever and ever. AMEN.

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

Presider     As we begin the season of Lent we come in faith and trust before God, seeking help in our struggles with the forces of evil.

Let our response be: Create a new Spirit within us, O Lord.

Please repeat:

1. That all Christians may make this season of Lent a special time of grace and blessing by turning away from sin and celebrating the sacrament of Reconciliation, we pray:
   
   
2. May we all reject the temptations of power, prestige and wealth, and decide to act justly, love with compassion and walk humbly before our God. We pray:
   
   
3. That as a community, we may enter into the spirit of Lent and be generous in our efforts at prayer, fasting and reaching out to those who are most in need of our help, we pray:
   
   
4. As we celebrate National Migrants' Sunday we pray for the millions of Filipino overseas workers and Migrants. (pause)
   May they may be respected and protected whereever they live and work,we pray:

[The Presider may add a Petition that is local / relevant]

Presider       Loving Father, you stood by your Son in his temptations.
                     Sustain those who hope in you and keep them in your love,
                     now and forever. AMEN.

Prayer over the Gifts

God of mercy,
in these humble signs of bread and wine
your Son Jesus comes among us.
May he help us
to overcome the temptation to be powerful and influential.
May we learn from him to do your will
for you are our God for ever and ever. AMEN.

Invitation to the Lord's Prayer

Option A

Let us now pray in the words of Jesus
that God may deliver us from evil
and stand by our side in times of trial.

Option B

In order that our heavenly Father may deliver us from the Evil One
let us pray as Jesus taught us.

Deliver us Lord

Deliver us, Lord, from every evil,
and grant us peace in our day.

Do not allow us to yield to the seductive power of sin
but strengthen us with the hope
that you will complete your victory in us
at the final coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Prayer for Peace

Lord, Jesus Christ, you said to us:
"You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test."

Do not allow us to be misled
by the values of the kingdoms of the world,
but enable us to work for the peace and unity of your kingdom,
where you live for ever and ever.

Exchange of Peace

Our fasting and self-denial helps us to purify ourselves from sin
and to live as members of God's Kingdom.
Let us now show each other the peace of that Kingdom.

[Optional Prayer to accompany the Breaking of Bread]

This bread which we break is the bread of life.
It is the sign of Christ's body
prepared by the Father
and offered in sacrifice by the Son
in a spirit of obedience to the Father's will.

Invitation to Communion

Option A

This is Christ Jesus
who enables us to triumph over the evil that is within us.
Blessed are we who are gathered around this table to receive him.

Option B

Blessed are we who "live on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God."
Blessed are we who are called to the banquet of the Lamb.

Prayer after Communion

God of love and mercy,
we have received Jesus
who suffered for sins once for all.
Tempted in every way as we are, he did not sin.
He was put to death
but made alive in the spirit.

May the bread of life
strengthen us on our journey of forty days
and lead us to the joyful celebration of Easter.

Grant this through Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Blessing

May God the Father, who does not despise the broken spirit,
give to each of you a contrite heart. AMEN

May Christ, who bore our sins in his body on the tree,
heal you by his wounds. AMEN.

May the Holy Spirit, who leads us into all truth,
speak to you words of pardon and peace. AMEN.

And may our merciful God bless you,
+the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

Dismissal

Option A

The Mass is ended.
Go and make this Lenten season an acceptable time of salvation.

Option B

Made strong by your word and the bread of heaven,
let us go forth and face temptation with courage and hope.