Our journey of salvation through the season of Easter continues with faith that God will never abandon us.

Sisters and brothers, we ask for the Lord's mercy, which endures forever, and his love, which is everlasting.

We rejoice on this Easter day at the victory of love and life over sin and death.

We stand at the beginning of our celebration of the Passion of our Lord. We have followed him through Lent, and now we turn to him and ask him to show mercy on his people.

Our Lord Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Let us ask for pardon for the times we have turned from that life.

God's light makes everything visible. Let us ask for God's presence shine into both the light and darkness of our lives.

In our journey through Lent we seek the living water and true food Jesus offers us to do the will of God.

Gathered as a people on a pilgrimage of salvation, we ask for God's blessings and pardon.

Sisters and brothers, we have begun our Lenten journey of repentance and return to God. Let us accept God's gracious gift of salvation and life.

In the week ahead we will enter into our observance of Lent. In a spirit of repentance we open ourselves to God's will.