ENTRANCE SONG
         He was known to be of human estate, and it was thus that He humbled Himself obediently accepting even death, death on a cross! Because, of this, God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the Name above every other name. (Phil. 2:8-9)

PRAYER
         O God, You left us an image of Your suffering on the Holy Shroud in which Joseph wrapped Your most Sacred Body when taken down from the Cross. Through Your death and burial bring us to the glory of Your resurrection: You who live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

READING ONE
         A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.   (Is. 62:11,  63:1-7)
        See, the Lord proclaims to the ends of the earth: Say to daughter Zion, your savior comes! Here is his reward with him, his recompense before him. Who is it that comes from Edom, in crimsoned garments, from Bozrah -- This one arrayed in majesty, marching in the greatness of his Strength? "It is I, I who announce vindication, I who am might to save." Why is your apparel red, and your garments like those of the wine presser?" "The wine press I have trodden alone, and of my people there was no one with me. I trod them in my anger, and trampled them down in my wrath; their blood spurted on my garments; all my apparel I stained. For the day of vengeance was in my heart, my year for redeeming was at hand. I looked about, but there was no one to help, I was appalled that there was no one to lend support; so my own arm brought about the victory and my own wrath lent me its support. I trampled down the peoples in my anger, I crushed them in my wrath, and I let their blood run out upon the ground."
         The favors of the Lord I will recall, the glorious deeds of the Lord, because of all he has done for us; for he is good to the house of Israel, he has favored us according to his great kindness".  
         The Word Of The Lord!
          R. Thanks be to God.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
         R. Lord, in Your Great Love, Answer Me.
         For Your sake, I bear insult, and shame covers my face. I have become an outcast to my brothers, a stranger to my brother's sons. Because zeal for Your house consumes me, and the insults of those who blaspheme You fall upon me.
         R. Lord, in Your Great Love, Answer Me.
         Insult has broken my heart, and I am weak, I looked for sympathy, but there was none; for comforters, and I found none. Rather they put gall in my food, and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
         R. Lord, in Your Great Love, Answer Me.
         I will praise the name of God in song, and I will glorify him with thanksgiving: "See, you lowly ones, and be glad: you who seek God, may your hearts be merry! For the Lord hears the poor, and his own who are in bonds he spurns not."
         R. Lord, in Your Great Love, Answer Me.

GOSPEL     (Mark 15:42-46)
Verse before the Gospel
         Let us greet our king; He alone showed mercy for our sins.
     + A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark:
      R. Glory to You, Lord.
         As it grew dark (it was preparation day), that is, the eve of the sabbath), Joseph of Arimathea arrived -- a distinguished member of the Sanhedrin. He was another who looked forward to the reign of God. He was bold enough to seek an audience with Pilate and urgently requested the body of Jesus. Pilate was surprised that Jesus should have died so soon. He summoned the centurion and inquired whether Jesus was already dead. Learning from him that he was dead, Pilate released the corpse to Joseph. Then, having bought a linen shroud, Joseph took him down, wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a tomb which had been cut out of rock. Finally, he rolled a stone across the entrance of the tomb.
         The Gospel of The Lord,
         R. Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
         Accept these gifts, O God, as You accepted the glorious Passion of Your Son for the salvation of the world: Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

PREFACE OF THE CROSS
         Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give You thanks. The suffering and death of Your Son brought life to the whole world. The power of the Cross reveals Your judgment on this world and the kingship of Christ crucified.
         We praise You, Lord,
          with all the angels and saints in their song of joy:
         Holy, Holy, Holy Lord...,

COMMUNION ANTIPHON
         Having bought a Linen Shroud, Joseph took Him down, wrapped Him in the linen.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
         O Lord, You have feasted Your family with the food from Heaven. Through the death of Your Son which these mysteries commemorate we confidently hope to receive eternal life; Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.