Praenotanda March 2026

FROM THE DIRECTOR

Jeremy Helmes
ODWS Director

Dear friends and colleagues,

As we begin this season of Lent, let me thank you – on behalf of Archbishop Casey and on behalf of all the faithful to whom you minister – for your tireless efforts in liturgical and sacramental ministry to God’s people, especially during this most sacred time of the year, the Paschal Cycle.

In this month’s Praenotanda, you’ll find many resources to continue preparing for the Paschal Triduum and Eastertide in your Family of Parishes, resources to prepare to sing the Exsultet, rubrics for multiple paschal candles at one Easter Vigil and other considerations for celebrating the Triduum as a Family of Parishes, and more. Let us know if you need any more support to prepare these important liturgical seasons.

You’ll also find details about new liturgical books, a survey on the Order of Christian Funerals, and other helpful information for your work.

As always, if there’s anything that Matthew, Gloria Ann, or I can do to assist you in your worship and sacramental ministries, please let us know.

FROM THE MUSIC DIRECTOR

Matthew J. Geerlings

Music Director

"Let us amend the sins that in our ignorance we have committed: lest the day of death come upon us suddenly, and we find no place for repentance, though we seek it.

Hear, O Lord, and have mercy, for we have sinned against you. Help us, O God, of our salvation: for the glory of your Name deliver us."

-Matins responsory, First Sunday in Lent

May this season of Lent be a holy and blessed time for you in your music ministry.

Soli Deo Gloria

Your Input Needed:

Order of Christian Funerals

The USCCB Secretariat of Divine Worship, in collaboration with the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions (FDLC), has prepared a national survey on the Order of Christian Funerals. This survey will assist the bishops of the Committee on Divine Worship as they review the ICEL Green Book translation for a new edition.

The feedback received by the end of April will play a critical role as the Committee reviews the rites and texts which have no equivalent in the Latin editio typica.

SURVEY

Preparing the Liturgies of the Paschal Cycle

You’ll find a multitude of resources online to assist in preparing the liturgies of Lent, Triduum, and Easter, including the annual preparation resource from the FDLC in both English and Spanish, a sample Lenten communal penance service, music suggestions, preparation checklists for Holy Week liturgies, updated rubrics for the Mandatum and text for the presentation of the sacred oils, resources for encouraging the faithful to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance, and more.

RESOURCES

Chrism Mass

Tues, March 31, 4pm

Cathedral Basilica

Join Archbishop Casey and the priests and faithful of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati for the annual Chrism Mass. In this once-a-year Holy Week liturgy, the archbishop will bless the Oils of the Sick and Catechumens and consecrate the Sacred Chrism to be used in sacramental celebrations throughout the archdiocese in the coming year. The priests will also renew the promises made at their ordination. All are welcome (especially those recently anointed or initiated, or those preparing for Christian Initiation in the coming year) to share in this unique liturgy, and it’s a great opportunity for families to experience our local Church gathered in prayer!

New Anointing Book Required Use Easter Sunday

Use of the new ritual book The Order of the Anointing of the Sick and of their Pastoral Care began optionally on February 11 (memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes and World Day of the Sick) and is required as of April 5 (Easter Sunday). Learn more here.

Encouraging the Sacrament of Penance during Lent

Resources for parish leaders to encourage the faithful to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance, especially during Lent

RESOURCES

Q. Must the Prayer over the People be used at Lenten Masses? Only on Sundays or on weekdays too?

A. The third edition of the Roman Missal includes a Prayer over the People at the end of each Mass formulary of Lent. This is different from other seasons, in which if a Prayer over the People is used, it comes from the common set in the missal, and the inclusion of said prayer (or Solemn Blessing) is optional. However, during Lent, there is one provided in place for each weekday Mass labeled “for optional use”. And on each Sunday, one is provided in place with no indication that it be optional. Therefore, one is left with the assumption that the Prayer over the People is obligatory for the Sundays of Lent.

THE WORD OF GOD IN THE LITURGY

“Our God is one who seeks to involve us. Even today he shares with us what is in his heart. Because of this, listening to the word in the liturgy teaches us to listen to the truth of reality. In the midst of the many voices present in our personal lives and in society, Sacred Scripture helps us to recognize and respond to the cry of those who are anguished and suffering. In order to foster this inner openness to listening, we must allow God to teach us how to listen as he does. We must recognize that ‘the condition of the poor is a cry that, throughout human history, constantly challenges our lives, societies, political and economic systems, and, not least, the Church.’”

— POPE LEO XIV

Lenten Message to the Faithful, Feb 13, 2026