Daily readings

Sunday, March 29, 2026

Palm Sunday. Holy Week. Read the day's readings in one place for prayer, preparation, or quiet reflection.

CelebrationPalm Sunday

TypeSunday

SeasonHoly Week

Year2026 archive

The Roman Catholic readings for this date are shown below on-site. Use plain reading mode if you want clearer modern wording, or switch back to the original Douay-Rheims wording at any time.

Reading mode

Plain mode helps modern readers follow the text more easily.

The on-site reading text is drawn from public-domain Douay-Rheims sources. Plain mode is a built-in reading aid that modernizes older wording for easier understanding while keeping the same Roman Catholic reading references for the day.

What are the Mass readings for Sunday March 29, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Sunday March 29, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading Isaiah 50:4-7, psalm Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24, second reading Philippians 2:6-11,and Gospel Matthew 26:14—27:66.

What is the Gospel for Sunday March 29, 2026?

The Gospel for Sunday March 29, 2026 is Matthew 26:14—27:66. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Sunday March 29, 2026?

The psalm for Sunday March 29, 2026 is Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24. It is included below in the same reading order used at Mass, between the first reading and the Gospel.

Are these the USCCB daily readings for Sunday March 29, 2026?

The same day's Catholic readings are gathered here on-site, with the official readings link available below in the source note.

1

First Reading

Isaiah 50:4-7

How to approach it

Read this as the first big movement of the day. Notice what God is doing, who is speaking, and what part of the story or teaching should stay with you.

50:4The Lord has given me a learned tongue, that I should know how to uphold by word him that is weary: he wakeneth in the morning, in the morning he wakeneth my ear, that I may hear him as a master.

5The Lord God has opened my ear, and I do not resist: I have not gone back.

6I have given my body to the strikers, and my cheeks to them that plucked them: I have not turned away my face from them that rebuked me, and spit upon me.

7The Lord God is my helper, therefore am I not put to shame: therefore have I set my face as a most hard rock, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.

2

Psalm

Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24

How to pray it

The psalm is meant to be prayed, not rushed. If the wording feels older, focus on the main movement of the prayer: trust, praise, sorrow, gratitude, or hope.

22:8All those who saw me have laughed me to scorn: they have said with the lips, and wagged the head.

9He hoped in the Lord, let him deliver him: let him save him, seeing he delights in him.

17For many dogs have encompassed me: the council of the malignant has besieged me. They have dug my hands and feet.

18They have numbered all my bones. And they have looked and stared upon me.

19They parted my garments amongst them; and upon my vesture they cast lots.

20But you, O Lord, remove not your help to a distance from me; look towards my defence.

23I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters: in the midst of the church will I praise you.

24You that fear the Lord, praise him: all you the offspring of Jacob, glorify him.

3

Second Reading

Philippians 2:6-11

How to read it

This reading often teaches Christians how to live with steadiness, charity, and faith. Look for one clear encouragement or warning you can carry into the day.

2:6Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7But emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as a man.

8He humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even to the death of the cross.

9For which cause God also has exalted him, and has given him a name which is above all names:

10That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth:

11And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.

4

Gospel

Matthew 26:14—27:66

What to watch for

The Gospel is the center of the reading set. Pay close attention to what Jesus says, what Jesus does, and what response he is asking for.

26:14Then went one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, to the chief priests,

15And said to them: What will you give me, and I will deliver him to you? But they appointed him thirty pieces of silver.

16And from thenceforth he sought opportunity to betray him.

17And on the first day of the Azymes, the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Where will you that we prepare for you to eat the pasch?

18But Jesus said: Go you into the city to a certain man, and say to him: the master says, My time is near at hand, with you I make the pasch with my disciples.

19And the disciples did as Jesus appointed to them, and they prepared the pasch.

20But when it was evening, he sat down with his twelve disciples.

21And whilst they were eating, he said: Amen I say to you, that one of you is about to betray me.

22And they being very much troubled, began every one to say: Is it I, Lord?

23But he answering, said: He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, he shall betray me.

24The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him: but sorrow to that man by whom the Son of Man shall be betrayed: it were better for him, if that man had not been born.

25And Judas that betrayed him, answering, said: Is it I, Teacher? He says to him: You have said it.

26And whilst they were at supper, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke: and gave to his disciples, and said: Take you, and eat. This is my body.

27And taking the chalice, he gave thanks, and gave to them, saying: Drink you all of this.

28For this is my blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many to remission of sins.

29And I say to you, I will not drink from now on of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I shall drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father.

30And a hymn being said, they went out to mount Olivet.

31Then Jesus said to them: All you shall be scandalized in me this night. For it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be dispersed.

32But after I shall be risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

33And Peter answering, said to him: Although all shall be scandalized in you, I will never be scandalized.

34Jesus said to him: Amen I say to you, that in this night before the cock crow, you will deny me thrice.

35Peter says to him: Yea, though I should die with you, I will not deny you. And in like manner said all the disciples.

36Then Jesus came with them into a country place which is called Gethsemani; and he said to his disciples: Sit you here, till I go yonder and pray.

37And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to grow sorrowful and to be sad.

38Then he says to them: My soul is sorrowful even to death: stay you here, and watch with me.

39And going a little further, he fell upon his face, praying, and saying: My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me. Nevertheless not as I will, but as you will.

40And he comes to his disciples, and findeth them asleep, and he says to Peter: What? Could you not watch one hour with me?

41Watch you, and pray that you enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh weak.

42Again the second time, he went and prayed, saying: My Father, if this chalice may not pass away, but I must drink it, your will be done.

43And he comes again and findeth them sleeping: for their eyes were heavy.

44And leaving them, he went again: and he prayed the third time, saying the selfsame word.

45Then he comes to his disciples, and says to them: Sleep you now and take your rest; look the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man shall be betrayed into the hands of sinners.

46Rise, let us go: look he is at hand that will betray me.

47As he yet spoke, look Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the leaders of the people.

48And he that betrayed him, gave them a sign, saying: Whomever I shall kiss, that is he, hold him fast.

49And forthwith coming to Jesus, he said: Hail, Teacher. And he kissed him.

50And Jesus said to him: Friend, whereto art you come? Then they came up, and laid hands on Jesus, and held him.

51And look one of them that were with Jesus, stretching forth his hand, drew out his sword: and striking the servant of the high priest, cut off his ear.

52Then Jesus says to him: Put up again your sword into its place: for all that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

53Thinkest you that I cannot ask my Father, and he will give me presently more than twelve legions of angels?

54How then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that so it must be done?

55In that same hour Jesus said to the crowds: You are come out as it were to a robber with swords and clubs to apprehend me. I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you laid not hands on me.

56Now all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then the disciples all leaving him, fled.

57But they holding Jesus led him to Caiphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the leaders were assembled.

58And Peter followed him afar off, even to the court of the high priest. And going in, he sat with the servants, that he might see the end.

59And the chief priests and the whole council sought false witness against Jesus, that they might put him to death:

60And they found not, whereas many false witnesses had come in. And last of all there came two false witnesses:

61And they said: This man said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and after three days to rebuild it.

62And the high priest rising up, said to him: Answerest you nothing to the things which these witness against you?

63But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest said to him: I adjure you by the living God, that you tell us if you be the Christ the Son of God.

64Jesus says to him: You have said it. Nevertheless I say to you, hereafter you shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of the power of God, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

65Then the high priests rent his garments, saying: He has blasphemed; what further need have we of witnesses? Look, now you have heard the words against God:

66What think you? But they answering, said: He is guilty of death.

67Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him: and others struck his face with the palms of their hands,

68Saying: Prophesy to us, O Christ, who is he that struck you?

69But Peter sat without in the court: and there came to him a servant maid, saying: You also were with Jesus the Galilean.

70But he denied before them all, saying: I know not what you sayest.

71And as he went out of the gate, another maid saw him, and she says to them that were there: This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth.

72And again he denied with an oath, I know not the man.

73And after a little while they came that stood by, and said to Peter: Surely you also art one of them; for even your speech does discover you.

74Then he began to curse and to swear that he knew not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

75And Peter remembered the word of Jesus which he had said: Before the cock crow, you will deny me thrice. And going forth, he wept bitterly.

27:1And when morning was come, all the chief priests and leaders of the people took guidance against Jesus, that they might put him to death.

2And they brought him bound, and rescued him to Pontius Pilate the governor.

3Then Judas, who betrayed him, seeing that he was condemned, repenting himself, brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and leaders,

4Saying: I have sinned in betraying innocent blood. But they said: What is that to us? look you to it.

5And casting down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed: and went and hanged himself with an halter.

6But the chief priests having taken the pieces of silver, said: It is not lawful to put them into the corbona, because it is the price of blood.

7And after they had consulted together, they bought with them the potter's field, to be a burying place for strangers.

8For this cause the field was called Haceldama, that is, The field of blood, even to this day.

9Then was fulfilled that which was said by Jeremias the prophet, saying: And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was prized, whom they prized of the children of Israel.

10And they gave them to the potter's field, as the Lord appointed to me.

11And Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, saying: Art you the king of the Jews? Jesus says to him: You sayest it.

12And when he was accused by the chief priests and leaders, he answered nothing.

13Then Pilate says to him: Do not you hear how great teachings they allege against you?

14And he answered him to never a word; so that the governor wondered exceedingly.

15Now upon the solemn day the governor was accustomed to release to the people one prisoner, whom they would.

16And he had then a notorious prisoner, that was called Barabbas.

17They therefore being gathered together, Pilate said: Whom will you that I release to you, Barabbas, or Jesus that is called Christ?

18For he knew that for envy they had rescued him.

19And as he was sitting in the place of judgment, his wife sent to him, saying: Have you nothing to do with that righteous man; for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

20But the chief priests and leaders persuaded the people, that they should ask Barabbas, and make Jesus away.

21And the governor answering, said to them: Whether will you of the two to be released to you? But they said, Barabbas.

22Pilate says to them: What shall I do then with Jesus that is called Christ? They say all: Let him be crucified.

23The governor said to them: Why, what evil has he done? But they cried out the more, saying: Let him be crucified.

24And Pilate seeing that he prevailed nothing, but that rather a tumult was made; taking water washed his hands before the people, saying: I am innocent of the blood of this righteous man; look you to it.

25And the whole people answering, said: His blood be upon us and our children.

26Then he released to them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, rescued him to them to be crucified.

27Then the soldiers of the governor taking Jesus into the hall, gathered together to him the whole band;

28And stripping him, they put a scarlet cloak about him.

29And platting a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand. And bowing the knee before him, they mocked him, saying: Hail, king of the Jews.

30And spitting upon him, they took the reed, and struck his head.

31And after they had mocked him, they took off the cloak from him, and put on him his own garments, and led him away to crucify him.

32And going out, they found a man of Cyrene, named Simon: him they forced to take up his cross.

33And they came to the place that is called Golgotha, which is the place of Calvary.

34And they gave him wine to drink mingled with gall. And when he had tasted, he would not drink.

35And after they had crucified him, they divided his garments, casting lots; that it might be fulfilled which was said by the prophet, saying: They divided my garments among them; and upon my vesture they cast lots.

36And they sat and watched him.

37And they put over his head his cause written: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

38Then were crucified with him two thieves: one on the right hand, and one on the left.

39And those who passed by, blasphemed him, wagging their heads,

40And saying: Vah, you that destroyest the temple of God, and in three days do rebuild it: save your own self: if you be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

41In like manner also the chief priests, with the teachers of the law and leaders, mocking, said:

42He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the king of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.

43He trusted in God; let him now deliver him if he will have him; for he said: I am the Son of God.

44And the selfsame thing the thieves also, that were crucified with him, reproached him with.

45Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over the whole earth, until the ninth hour.

46And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying: Eli, Eli, lamma sabacthani? that is, My God, my God, why have you left me?

47And some that stood there and heard, said: This man calls Elias.

48And immediately one of them running took a sponge, and satisfied it with vinegar; and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.

49And the others said: Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to deliver him.

50And Jesus again crying with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

51And look the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top even to the bottom, and the earth quaked, and the rocks were rent.

52And the graves were opened: and many bodies of the saints that had slept arose,

53And coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, came into the holy city, and appeared to many.

54Now the centurion and those who were with him watching Jesus, having seen the earthquake, and the things that were done, were sore afraid, saying: Indeed this was the Son of God.

55And there were there many women afar off, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him:

56Among whom was Mary Magdalen, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

57And when it was evening, there came a certain rich man of Arimathea, named Joseph, who also himself was a disciple of Jesus.

58He went to Pilate, and asked the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded that the body should be rescued.

59And Joseph taking the body, wrapped it up in a clean linen cloth.

60And laid it in his own new monument, which he had hewed out in a rock. And he rolled a great stone to the door of the monument, and went his way.

61And there was there Mary Magdalen, and the other Mary sitting over against the tomb.

62And the next day, which followed the day of preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees came together to Pilate,

63Saying: Sir, we have remembered, that that seducer said, while he was yet alive: After three days I will rise again.

64Command therefore the tomb to be guarded until the third day: lest perhaps his disciples come and steal him away, and say to the people: He is risen from the dead; and the last error shall be worse than the first.

65Pilate says to them: You have a guard; go, guard it as you know.

66And they departing, made the tomb sure, sealing the stone, and setting guards.

How the readings move through Mass today

The Liturgy of the Word normally moves from the first reading to the psalm, then to the second reading when one is appointed, then to the Gospel, and then into the homily. On weekday Masses, the second reading is often omitted, so the Church moves from the psalm directly to the Gospel.

1

First Reading

Isaiah 50:4-7

The first reading is usually taken from the Old Testament. It prepares the heart to hear how God has been acting through his covenant and promises.

2

Psalm

Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24

The psalm is the Church’s prayerful response to the first reading. It helps the congregation answer God’s word with trust, praise, repentance, or hope.

3

Second Reading

Philippians 2:6-11

The second reading is usually taken from the New Testament letters or Revelation. It helps connect the day’s proclamation to Christian life in the Church.

4

Gospel

Matthew 26:14—27:66

The Gospel is the high point of the Liturgy of the Word. Catholics stand because Christ himself speaks to his people in a special way through the Gospel proclamation.

5

Homily

After the Gospel

The homily follows the Gospel. It should gather the day’s readings together, explain the mystery being celebrated, and help people carry the word of God into ordinary life.

What the homily usually draws together

A Catholic homily usually gathers the first reading, the psalm, and the Gospel into one spiritual movement. It may explain how the Old Testament prepares for Christ, how the apostles witness to the risen Lord, how the psalm teaches the Church to pray, and how the Gospel calls for faith and conversion now.

If you are preparing before Mass, try to carry one sentence, one image, or one invitation from the readings with you. That usually makes the homily easier to follow because you already know what part of God's word has stayed with you.

What about the Prayers of the Faithful for Sunday March 29, 2026?

The Prayers of the Faithful are usually written locally by a parish, diocese, or celebrant, so there is not always one universal text for this exact day. The scriptural readings above are the stable part the whole Church receives, and they usually shape the petitions that follow at Mass.

Source note

The day's references and liturgical celebration data come from the Catholic Readings API, while the on-site scripture text is rendered from public-domain Douay-Rheims sources so the day's readings can be read directly on the page.