Liturgical Information
The Second Sunday of Easter [Divine Mercy Sunday] (A)

Themes & Motives: baptism, faith, community, praise, rejoicing

Introit:
Rejoice to the full in the glory that is yours, and give thanks to God who called you to his kingdom, alleluia. (IV Ezra 2:36-37)

Opening Prayer:
God of mercy,
you wash away our sins in water,
you give us new birth in the Spirit,
and redeem us in the blood of Christ.
As we celebrate Christ's resurrection
increase our awareness of these blessings,
and renew your gift of life within us.
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. Amen.

• Acts of the Apostles 2:42-47 [And all those who had believed were together, and had all things in common. /v.44]
• Psalm 118:2-4 / 13-15 / 22-23 [R. Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting. /v.1]
• I Peter 1:3-9 [God has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. /v.3]
• Gospel Verse: Jn 20:29 [You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord; blessed are they who have not seen me, but still believe!]
• John 20:19-31 [After eight days Jesus came and stood in their midst. /v.26]

Offertory Antiphon: **
The angel of the Lord descended from heaven; he addressed to the women: I know you are looking for Jesus the crucified, but he has been raised, exactly as he promised, alleluia. [Matthew 28:2b,5a,6a]
     Verses of  Psalm 63  can also be sung between repetitions of the antiphon.

Prayer over the Gifts:
Lord,
through faith and baptism
we have become a new creation.
Accept the offerings of your people
(and of those born again in baptism)
and bring us to eternal happiness.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Preface of Easter I: [The Paschal Mystery]
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,
we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We praise you with greater joy than ever
on this Easter day,
when Christ became our paschal sacrifice.

He is the true Lamb that took away the sins of the world.
By dying he destroyed our death;
by rising he restored our life.

And so, with all the choirs of angels in heaven
we proclaim your glory
and join in their unending hymn of praise:

  Holy, holy, holy Lord...

Communion Antiphon:
Jesus spoke to Thomas: Put your hand here, and see the place of the nails. Doubt no longer, but believe, alleluia. (See John 20:27)

Prayer after Communion:
Almighty God,
may the Easter sacraments we have received
live forever in our minds and hearts.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Solemn Blessing:
Through the resurrection of his Son
God has redeemed you and made you his children.
May he bless you with joy. Amen.

The Redeemer has given you lasting freedom.
May you inherit his everlasting life. Amen.

By faith you rose with him in baptism.
May your lives be holy,
so that you will be united with him for ever. Amen.

** An official, approved English translation of the Offertory Antiphon has never been published. The offertory antiphon used here is cited in Latin (Angelus Domini) in the Graduale Romanum.
The English is from the New American Bible, a Scripture translation approved for liturgical use in the United States.

The English translation of the Introit, Opening Prayer, Psalm Refrain, Gospel Verse, Prayer over the Gifts, Preface, Communion Antiphon, Prayer after Communion, and Solemn Blessing from The Roman Missal, Copyright 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.

Excerpts from the First Reading, Second Reading and Gospel are taken from the New American Standard Bible ® © Copyright 1973 The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.