American Ordo

For more than 65 years, the Priests of the Sacred Heart have maintained and produced the American Ordo as a resource for pastors in Catholic parishes in the United States. This liturgical calendar lists feasts, colors, Masses and readings for every day of the year. Access the Ordo here, or request to have it sent directly to you by mail.

We are able to continue this service to the American Church through your kind support. Click here to make a sacrificial offering.

Prayer of the Day

Ordo April 5

PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD (red)
Mass: proper, Creed, proper Preface
Readings: No. 37 & 38 (Year A)
Matthew 21:1-11 (Procession with Palms)
Isaiah 50:4-7
Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24
Philippians 2:6-11
Matthew 26:14 — 27:66 or 27:11-54
Hours: Week II of psalter and proper for Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

This Month's Ordos

Next Month's Ordos

This Week's Ordos

April 06 2020

MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK (violet)
Mass: proper, Preface II of the Passion
Readings: No. 257
Isaiah 42:1-7
Psalm 27:1, 2, 3, 13-14
John 12:1-11
Hours: Week II of psalter and proper

April 07 2020

TUESDAY OF HOLY WEEK (violet)
Mass: proper, Preface II of the Passion
Readings: No. 258
Isaiah 49:1-6
Psalm 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5ab-6ab, 15, 17
John 13:21-33, 36-38
Hours: Week II of psalter and proper

April 08 2020

WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK (violet)
Mass: proper, Preface II of the Passion
Readings: No. 259
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 69:8-10, 21-22, 31, 33-34
Matthew 26:14-25
Hours: Week II of psalter and proper

April 09 2020

HOLY THURSDAY (white)
The Chrism Mass: proper, Gloria, proper Preface
Readings: No. 260
Isaiah 61:1-3a, 6a, 8b-9
Psalm 89:21-22, 25, 27
Revelation 1:5-8
Luke 4:16-21
Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper: proper, Gloria, proper Preface, proper formulas for the Communicates, Hanc igutur and Qui pridie in the Roman Canon
Readings: No. 39
Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14
Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
John 13:1-15
Hours: Week II of psalter. Option to use psalms from Friday Week III for Office of Readings
Evening Prayer: proper (said only by those who do not participate in the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper)
Night Prayer II of Sunday, proper Antiphon in place of responsory

April 10 2020

GOOD FRIDAY (red)
Celebration of the Lord’s Passion
Readings: No. 40
Isaiah 52:13 — 53:12
Psalm 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17, 25
Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
John 18:1 — 19:42
Liturgical Service: c.f. Roman Missal
Hours: proper for Good Friday
Evening Prayer is said only by those who do not participate in the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion

April 11 2020

HOLY SATURDAY
Hours: proper for Holy Saturday
Night Prayer is said only by those who do not participate in the Easter Vigil.

April 12 2020

SUNDAY OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD (EASTER SUNDAY) (white) solemnity
Easter Vigil: proper, Gloria, Creed replaced by Baptismal Promises, Preface I of Easter, special commemoration of newly baptized and their godparents in the Eucharistic Prayers
Readings: No. 41
At least three of the seven Old Testament (always using the Exodus reading) and their responsorial psalms are to be used in addition to the reading from Romans and the Gospel.
Genesis 1:1-2, 2 or 1:1, 26-31
Genesis 22:1-18, or 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18
Exodus 14:15 — 15:1
Isaiah 54:5-14
Isaiah 55:1-11
Baruch 3:9-15, 32 — 4:4
Ezekiel 36:16-28
Romans 6:3-11
Matthew 28:1-10 (Year A)
Mass during the day: proper, Gloria, Sequence, Renewal  of Baptismal vows or Creed, Preface I of Easter, double Alleluia at dismissal.
Readings: No. 42 (Year A)
Acts 10:34, 37-43
Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23
Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6-8
Sequence
John 20:1-9 or Matthew 28:1-10 (#41) or, at an afternoon Mass, Luke 24:13-35 (#46)
Hours: proper for Easter Sunday
Office of Readings is said only by those who do not participate in the Easter Vigil

Father Charles Yost, SCJ   (1932 - 2017)

For 53 years, the American Ordo was compiled and edited by Fr. Charles Yost, SCJ.

He assumed the exacting, detail-oriented responsibilities in 1964 when he was a professor and librarian at Sacred Heart Monastery. It became a labor of love, to which he was devoted until his death at age 85 in July, 2017.

Ordained to the priesthood in 1958, Fr. Yost continued his education earning master’s degrees in theology and library science from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. Fr. Yost’s ministries included service as a missionary in Indonesia, an academic, a fundraiser, a parish priest and superior of the Priests of the Sacred Heart retirement community.

Even in retirement Fr. Yost continued to serve our religious congregation in various capacities, including overseeing the preparation of the American Ordo. Fr. Yost actually compiled information for the liturgical calendar about six years in advance and then updated the material periodically to reflect changes from Rome in order to keep the Ordo completely current.

We are deeply grateful for Fr. Yost’s diligence and watchful eye. His generous spirit and his love the Church inspire our dedication to continue to produce the American Ordo to his high standards.