University of Immaculate Conception

ASH WEDNESDAY MASS

February 22, 2023 @ 9:15 AM OLP Hall

Introduction:

Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Good Morning! Praised be Jesus and Mary!

Today is the first day of Lent. Ash Wednesday, the Wednesday six weeks before Easter
Sunday- is a Christian holy day of fasting, sacrifice, and prayer.

Guided by the Spirit of the Lord, today we undertake the journey of a sincere
conversion and of rediscovering the implications of our baptismal commitments in our
daily life as Ignacian Marians.

As we begin the Lenten Season, the call to conversion, symbolized by the imposition of
the ashes, resounds even louder and clearer. It is a call to penance, to prayer rooted in
faith, to authenticity, to the rejection of any form of ostentation. This Ash Wednesday
should mark for us a “back to the basics”, which will enable us to prepare ourselves for
a lasting sharing in Christ’s resurrection.

With confidence that God is with us, we join in praise and prayers together with our
Mass presider, REV. FR. Randy Diamante, SDV. Let us all stand and sing our
entrance hymn.
First Reading

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Joel

“Even now,” says the Lord,“ return to me with your whole

heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning. Rend your hearts, not your garments,
and return to the Lord, your God. For gracious and merciful is he, slow to anger, rich in
kindness, and relenting in punishment. Perhaps he will again relent and leave behind
him a blessing. Offerings and libations for the Lord, your God!” Blow the trumpet in
Zion! Proclaim a fast, call an assembly. Gather the people, notify the congregation;
assemble the elders, gather the children and the infants at the breast. Let the
bridegroom quit his room, and the bride her chamber. Between the porch and the altar
let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep, and say, “Spare, O Lord, your people,
and make not your heritage a reproach, with the nations ruling over them. Why should
they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’ ” Then the Lord was stirred to
concern for his land and took pity on his people.

The Word of the Lord!

All –Thanks be to God!

Responsorial Psalm

Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned!

1. Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your

compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and on my
sin cleanse me. R.
2. For I acknowledge my offense, and my sin is before me always: “Against you
only have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight.” R.
3. A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. Cast
me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me. R.
4. Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me. O Lord,
open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise. R.
2nd Reading 2 Cor 5:20– 6:2

A reading from the Second Letter of Paul to the Corinthians

Brothers and sisters: We are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appeal- ing
through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he
made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness
of God in him. Working together, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of
God in vain. For he says, “In an acceptable time I heard you, and on the day of
salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day
of salvation!

The Word of the Lord!

All –Thanks be to God!

 Prayer of the Faithful

Celebrant: As we begin the Lenten Season, let us be aware of our many moral
defects, the violence of temptation, and our need to be helped by God. Let
us then plead:

All – GRANT US A NEW HEART, O LORD!

1. That the Church may fearlessly preach conversion to all and lead them by her
example. Let us pray to the Lord.

2. That all our spiritual and civil leaders may inspire us with their life of humility,
honesty, and dedication. Let us pray to the Lord.

3. That all educators- parents and teachers- may include in the young the desire to do
their duty with the right intention, and not in order to be praised. Let us pray to the
Lord.

4. That those who are oppressing others with their aggressiveness, greed, and
heartlessness may resist their wrongdoing and learn to respect and love their
neighbor. Let us pray to the Lord.

5. That all of us may begin this Lent with the proper dispositions of humility, sorrow for
our past sins, and the determination to amend our lives. Let us pray to the Lord.

6. That we may show special care for the sick, abandoned, and our environment. Let us
pray to the Lord.

7. That our beloved dead may be one with God and their loved ones in heaven for all
eternity. Let us pray to the Lord.

8. Let us pray in silence for our personal intentions (pause). Let us pray to the Lord.

Celebrant: Lord God, we come to You aware of our sinfulness and with the sincere
desire to be renewed in heart and mind. May our lives be a constant hymn
of praise to You. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
 Words of thanks

Good morning, praised be Jesus and Mary!

On behalf of the UIC Basic Education Community, particularly the
Senior High School Unit, I would like to express my heartfelt
gratitude to, Rev. Fr. Randy Diamante, SDV, for presiding
over this Ash Wednesday Mass. Thank you for giving us a deeper
reflection as we begin this Lenten season. May God bless you
always in your ministry. 

My deepest thanks to our Readers, Organist, Choir, especially to

the oferrers, thank you so much. To everyone, thank you for
joining this Holy Mass.

May God bless us, and may the Spirit of love and peace be with
us all.