St Joseph the Worker

Friday 1 May 2009
S. IOSEPH OPIFICIS
sponsi Beatae Mariae Virginis, Confessoris
St Joseph the Worker,
Spouse of the B.V.M., Confessor
1st Class, White
Gloria; Credo; Preface of St Joseph


Oremus:

Rerum cónditor Deus, qui legem labóris, humáno géneri statuísti: concéde propítius; ut Sancti Ioseph ex´mplo et patrocínio, ópera perficiámus quæ præcipis, et præmia consequámur quæ promítis. Per Dóminum...

Let us Pray:

O God, Create of all things, who didst lay on the human race the law of labour: gracious grant; that by following the example of Saint Joseph and under his patronage, we may carry out the work Thou dost command, and obtain the reward Thou dost promise. Through...

Link:

~~*~~

Please note:

On Thursday 30th April there will be Latin Vespers (1st Vespers) and Benediction at 6.4pm in St Mary's RC Cathedral, Edinurgh (Scotland) to celebrate this feast.

All are welcome to join the Schola for this opportunity to pray with the ancient music of the Church.

This is the second of monthly sung Vespers sung on Thursdays around 7pm by the new Edinburgh Schola. Please see edinburghschola.blogspot.com for updates and further information.

Update: for photographs of Vespers, please click here

(image source unknown)

Second Sunday after Easter

Sunday 26 April 2009

DOMINICA II POST PASCHA
Second Sunday after Easter,
Good Shepherd Sunday
2nd Class, White
Gloria; Credo; Preface of Easter


Oremus.

Deus, qui in Fílii tui humilitáte jacéntem mundum erexísti : fidélibus tuis perpétuam concéde lætítiam ; ut, quos perpétuæ mortis eripuísti cásibus, gáudiis fácias pérfrui sempitérnis. Per eúmdem Dóminum.


Let us pray.


O God, who by the humility of thy Son hast lifted up a fallen world, grant that to those whom thou hast delivered from the misfortunes of eternal death, thou mayest insure everlasting happiness. Through the same.

Link:
(image: Institute of the Good Shepherd)

St Mark the Evangelist

Saturday 25 April 2009
S. MARCI EVANGELISTAE
St Mark the Evangelist
2nd Class, Red
Gloria; Credo; Preface of the Apostles
commem. of the Greater Litanies at all Masses


Oremus.

Deus, qui beátum Marcum Evangelístam tuum evangélicæ prædicatiónis grátia sublimásti : tríbue, quæsumus ; ejus nos semper et eruditióne profícere, et oratióne deféndi. Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.

O God, who didst endow blessed Mark, thine evangelist, with the grace of preaching : grant us, we beseech thee ; ever to profit by his teaching and be defended by his prayers. Through.

(image: breviary.net)

Low Sunday

Sunday 19 April 2009

DOMINICA IN ALBIS in Octava Paschae
First Sunday after Easter, Octave Day of Easter
1st Class, White
Gloria; Credo; Preface of Easter
(Alleluia not added to Ite)


Oremus.

Præsta, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus : ut, qui paschália festa perégimus, hæc, te largiénte, móribus et vita teneámus. Per Dóminum.


Let us pray.


Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God : that we who have devoutly kept this Paschal Festival, may keep it, by thy bounty, in our life and behaviour. Through.

Links:
(image: John 20:27-28; Gospel of Low Sunday)

Saturday in Easter Week

Saturday 18 April 2009

SABBATO IN ALBIS
Saturday within the Easter Octave
1st Class, White


Oremus.

Concéde, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus : ut, qui festa paschália venerándo égimus, per hæc contíngere ad gáudia ætérna mereámur. Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God : that we who have devoutly kept this Paschal Festival, may thereby be found worthy to attain to everlasting felicity. Through.

Link:
(image: St Mary Magdalene, Lesson at Matins)

Friday in Easter Week

Friday 17 April 2009

FERIA VI INFRA OCTAVAM PASCHAE
Friday within the Easter Octave
1st Class, White


Oremus.

Omnípotens sempiterne Deus, qui paschále sacraméntum in reconciliatiónis humánæ fœdere contulísti : da méntibus nostris ; ut, quod professióne celebrámus, imitémur efféctu. Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast bestowed on us this Paschal Sacrament, for a pledge of our redemption : grant, we beseech thee ; that those things which we observe in our outward profession we may effectually imitate within our souls. Through.

(image: St Thomas)

Thursday in Easter Week

Thursday 16 April 2009

FERIA V INFRA OCTAVAM PASCHAE
Thursday within the Easter Octave
1st Class, White


Oremus.

Deus, qui diversitátem Géntium in confessióne tui nóminis adunásti : da, ut renátis fonte baptísmatis una sit fides méntium, et píetas actiónum. Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.

O God, who hast united the diversity of nations in the confession of thy Name : grant that they who are born again in the waters of baptism, may agree in stedfastness of faith and godliness of life. Through.

(image: breviary.net)

Wednesday in Easter Week

Wednesday 15 April 2009

FERIA IV INFRA OCTAVAM PASCHAE
Wednesday within the Easter Octave
1st Class, White


Oremus.

Deus, qui nos resurrectiónis Domínicæ ánnua solemnitáte lætíficas : concéde propítius ; ut per temporália festa quæ ágimus, perveníre ad gáudia ætérna mereámur. Per eúmdem Dóminum.

Let us pray.

O God, who gladdenest us with the yearly Festival of the Resurrection of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord : mercifully grant that we may so observe this temporal feast, that we may be found worthy to attain to everlasting felicity. Through the same.

Link:
(image: breviary.net)

Tuesday in Easter Week

Tuesday 14 April 2009

FERIA III INFRA OCTAVAM PASCHAE
Tuesday within the Easter Octave
1st Class, White


Oremus.

Deus, qui Ecclésiam tuam novo semper fœtu multíplicas : concéde fámulis tuis ; ut sacraméntum vivéndo téneant, quod fide percepérunt. Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.

O God, who dost continually increase thy Church with new offspring : grant unto all thy servants ; that as by faith they have received the mystery of salvation, so by stedfastness thereto they may ever practice the same in their daily life. Through.

Link:
(image: breviary.net)

Monday in Easter Week

Monday 13 April 2009

FERIA II INFRA OCTAVAM PASCHAE
Monday within the Easter Octave
1st Class, White


Oremus.

Deus, qui solemnitáte pascháli, mundo remédia contulísti : pópulum tuum, quæsumus, cælésti dono proséquere ; ut et perféctam libertátem cónsequi mereátur, et ad vitam profíciat sempitérnam. Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.

O God, who at the Feast of the Passover didst give unto the world the medicine of salvation : increase, we beseech thee, the use of all these thy saving remedies among thy people ; that thereby they may be healed of spiritual ills, and endued with the quickening power of life eternal. Through.

Link:
(image: breviary.net)

Easter Sunday

Sunday 12 April 2009

DOMINICA RESURRECTIONIS
Easter Sunday
1st Class, Violet and White


Oremus:

Deus, qui hanc sacratissimum noctem gloria dominicae Resurrectionis illustras: conserva in nova familiae tuae progenie adoptionis spiritum, quem dedisti; ut, corpore et mente renovati, puram tibi exhibeant servitutem. Per eumdem Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum, Filium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum.

Let us Pray:

O God, who dost illuminate this most holy night by the glory of the Lord's Resurrection, preserve in the new children of Thy family the spirit of adoption which Thou hast given; that renewed in body and mind, they may render to Thee a pure service. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
[vigil Mass of Easter]


Oremus.

Deus, qui hodiérna die per Unigénitum tuum, æternitátis nobis áditum devícta morte reserásti : vota nostra, quæ prævéniéndo aspíras, étiam adjuvándo proséquere. Per eúmdem Dóminum.

Let us pray:

O God, who this day by thine only-begotten Son, vanquishing death, hast unlocked for us the gate of eternity, help us to attain the desires to which thou hast led us by thine inspirations. Through the same.
[Mass of Easter-Day]

~~*~~

Holy Saturday is liturgically a day of deepest mourning, a day which the Church spends at our Lord's sepulcher, meditating on His Sacred Passion and Death. There is no Mass; the sacred altar is bare

The Solemn Easter Vigil service [instituted by permission of Pius XII in 1951 and made obligatory in 1956], is intended to show liturgically how life and grace flow to us from the death of our Lord; the Light of the World is exhibited under the symbol of the Paschal Candle, dispelling the night of sin by the light of grace; the Exultet - the Easter Proclamation – is the song that heralds Easter, singing of the brightness of the holy night of Resurrection; the Lessons taken from the ancient prophecies tell of God's wonderful dealings with His people under the Old Covenant faint types of the glorious happenings that were to come to pass under the New; the water for Baptism is blessed – those waters in which those who have been buried along with Christ, die to sin and with Him rise to walk in newness of life; this grace He has won for us, and in Baptism bestowed on us; by renewal of our baptismal promises we publicly announce our purpose to show forth this newness in our daily lives; and finally the Church Triumphant is called on to intercede for us, and the Mass of the Resurrection begins.

In the Liturgy of Eastertide, we commemorate the various appearances of Our Lord, during which He instructed His Apostles and prepared them for the Descent of the Holy Ghost and His own Ascension. The triumph and joy of Eastertide is reflected in the decoration of the sanctuary and the priest’s use of white vestments, symbolizing joy and purity.

The "Asperges me" is supplanted by the "Vidi Aquam." Which refers to the waters of Baptism. Every year at Easter the Church rejoices for a double reason: Until Ascension Day, the paschal candle shines in the sanctuary as a symbol of the visible presence of Our Lord upon earth, and white vestments are used. The joyful repetition of "Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia" which was omitted since Septuagesima, follows every Introit, Antiphon Verse, and Response as a sign of joy and peace.

Note: Compline, Matins and Lauds are not said by those attending the Solemn Easter Vigil.

Links:

notes: Eastertide

Notes for the Liturgy during Eastertide

1. During Paschaltide the Gloria is said at Mass on ferias but not at fourth class votive Masses, except those of the Blessed Virgin on Saturdays and of the Angels. The Paschal candle is lit for Mass and Vespers until the Ascension except when black or violet vestments are worn. Vidi aquam replaces Asperges me until Pentecost Sunday inclusive. Throughout Eastertide, there are two Alleluia Antiphons between the Epistle and the Gospel.

2. The Octave of Easter is first class and only privileged commemorations are allowed on the days of the Octave. Two Alleluias are added to the Ite Missa est and the Deo gratias during the Octave of Easter, except on Low Sunday (Dominica in Albis/Divine Mercy Sunday). Easter Friday is not a day of abstinence of penitential observance.

3. April 19th is Divine Mercy Sunday. A plenary indulgence is granted to those who take part in the prayers and devotions held in honour of Divine Mercy, or who, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or in the tabernacle, recite one Our Father, and the Creed, asking a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus. Those who for a just cause cannot get to Church can gain indulgence by reciting one Our Father, the Creed and a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus before an image of the Divine Mercy.

4. April 24th is the Anniversary of the Installation of His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI as Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church. The orations "pro papa" are added under a single conclusion to the orations of the day, even at sung Mass. Cathedral and Collegial Churches must celebrate the votive Mass of Coronation of 2nd Class. Other Churches may do so.

5. On Saturday April 25th the Greater Litanies are said. The Mass of St Mark is celebrated today with a commemoration of the Major Litanies, even at sung Masses. If there is a procession during which the Greater Litanies are sung before Mass, the Rogation Mass then begins with incensation of the Altar and the Introit. Saint Mark is not commemorated if the Mass is sung. Those obliged to say the Divine Office must say the Litanies in private even if they don't attend the procession.

(excerpted/adapted from the 2009 Liturgical Ordo, Priestly Fraternity of St Peter)

Good Friday

Friday 10 April 2009

FERIA SEXTA IN PASSIONE ET MORTE DOMINI
Good Friday
1st Class, Black and Violet


Réspice, quæsumus, Dómine, super hanc famíliam tuam, pro qua Dóminus noster Jesus Christus non dubitávit mánibus tradi nocéntium, et crucis subíre torméntum : sed dicitur sub silentio : Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sæcula sæculórum : Amen.

Almighty God, we beseech thee graciously behold this thy family, for which our Lord Jesus Christ was contented to be betrayed, and given up into the hands of wicked men, and to suffer death upon the Cross. Here is added silently : Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end : Amen.

~~*~~

The Solemn Liturgical Action is celebrated in the afternoon, about 3.00pm. This comprises the Adoration of the Cross, and Holy Communion.

Extract from the General Decree restoring the Liturgy of Holy Week:

'Let the faithful be led to understand properly today’s special liturgical act, in which the Passion of our Lord is solemnly chanted: prayers offered for the needs of the whole Church and the human race: the Holy Cross, monument of our Redemption, is adored most devoutly by clergy and faithful, the whole family of Christ: finally, as for hundreds of years was the practice, all who wish and are duly prepared go forward to receive Communion, with this as their chief intention, that by devoutly receiving the Body of the lord (which He delivered this day for all men) they may enjoy richer fruits of that Redemption. Let the priests urge the faithful to make this sacred day one of loving recollection, neither should they forget the law of abstinence and fasting.'

The instruction given by Pope Pius XII stipulates that Good Friday's solemn liturgy take place after noon; the best time would be three o'clock, and on no account may it begin later than six o'clock. The same Pope revives the old practice of all receiving Communion this day as a necessary part of the liturgical function. This consists of four main divisions, each of which has its own historical interest, the whole forming a dramatic representation of the Sacred Passion.

I & II. The first two parts consists of reading from Scripture, and a prayer followed by St. John's story of the Passion, and concluded by a long series of prayers for various intentions. In this part we have preserved the form of the earliest Christian prayer meeting--a service with was derived from the Jewish Synagogue. To this service of Scriptural readings the celebration of the Eucharist was afterwards joined to form the one solemn act of worship now called the Mass. This Mass still preserves these distinct divisions: the first from the beginning to the Offertory, in which the Introit and Gloria are included; the second from the Offertory to the Communion. The first division is called the Mass of the Catechumens, (for they were not permitted to remain for the celebration of the Eucharist); the second, the Mass of the Faithful.

III. The third part consists of the unveiling and adoration of the Cross. This ceremony was originally connected with the relic of the true Cross, and had its origin in Jerusalem. A veiled crucifix is gradually exposed to view, and three times at the words Venite adoremus the faithful kneel in adoration to the Redeemer.

IV. The fourth part, the Communion of Priest and people, completes what used to be known as the Mass of the Presanctified. Today's liturgy clearly does not constitute a Mass, for there is no Consecration; all who communicate receive sacred particles consecrated at the Mass of the previous day. This form of "Mass" is familiar in the Greek rite.

The service opens with a Mass of the Catechumens in what is perhaps its oldest and simplest form. It has neither Introit, Gloria, nor Credo, but consists merely of two lessons, followed each by a Tract, also taken from the prophets. The Gospel is the story of the Passion according to St. John. This is followed by the most ancient form of intercession. The priest (formerly the deacon) makes a solemn appeal to the faithful, telling them for whom each Prayer is to be offered: for the Church, the Pope, the Bishops, priests, etc. the Jews, pagans, heretics, prisoners, etc. The Flectamus genua is said and all kneel down to pray until the subdeacon bids them to rise. Then the celebrant turns to God, Almighty and Eternal, and formulates the prayer in the name of all. This was the oldest form of the Collect or public prayer.

The adoration of the Cross is followed by a short Communion service. The ciborium containing the sacred hosts consecrated yesterday is brought in silence with the simplest of ceremonial from the Altar of Repose. Preparation for Communion is fittingly made by all standing to recite the Pater Noster in unison, and the Communion itself is followed at once by three prayers of thanksgiving. These end the day's solemn function.

Note: Friday Vespers are omitted, since the liturgical functions of the two days replace them, Compline is chanted in choir after the function.

~~*~~

Link:
(image: Christ on the Cross adored by St Dominic;
Tenebrae, Priestly Fraternity of St Peter)

Maundy Thursday

Thursday 9 April 2009

FERIA QUINTA IN CENA DOMINI
Holy Thursday
1st Class, White


Réspice, quæsumus, Dómine, super hanc famíliam tuam, pro qua Dóminus noster Jesus Christus non dubitávit mánibus tradi nocéntium, et crucis subíre torméntum : sed dicitur sub silentio : Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sæcula sæculórum : Amen.

Almighty God, we beseech thee graciously behold this thy family, for which our Lord Jesus Christ was contented to be betrayed, and given up into the hands of wicked men, and to suffer death upon the Cross. Here is added silently : Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end : Amen.

~~*~~

The Mass of Holy Thursday is celebrated in the evening. The Mandatum may take place after the Gospel. There is a procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the Altar of Repose; thereafter the Altar is stripped.

From the General Decree of November 16, 1955 restoring the Liturgy of Holy Week (Maxima Redemptionis):

'Let the faithful be taught about the love with which Christ our Lord 'on the day before He suffered' instituted the sacred and holy Eucharist, sacrifice and Sacrament, the perpetual memorial of His Passion, to be offered day by day through the ministry of His priests. Let the faithful be invited to render due adoration after the end of the Mass to the most holy Sacrament. Finally, wherever to illustrate the Lord's commandment of brotherly love the Washing of the Feet is carried out according to the restored rubrics, let the faithful be taught the deep significance of this holy rite, and let them spend this day in works of Christian charity.'

The Mass today, which by order of Pope Pius XII should not begin before 5 p.m. or after 8 p.m., specially commemorates the Institution of the Blessed Eucharist at the Last Supper, and the Ordination of the Apostles, and is, therefore, a Mass of joy and thanksgiving. Hence the Church lays aside for the moment the penitential purple, and assumes festive white vestments; the Altar is decorated; the Gloria is said. During the Gloria the bells are rung, and from that time until the Easter Vigil they remain silent.

At pontifical Mass the oils are blessed for Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders, Extreme Unction and the consecration of altars and churches.

On this day an extra Ciborium is consecrated for the 'Mass' of the Presanctified (hence the name) on Good Friday. After the Mass this Ciborium is borne in solemn Procession, during which the Pange Lingua is sung, to the Altar of Repose.

The derivation of the word Maundy reminds us of the ceremony of washing the feet, called Mandatum, from the first words of the Antiphon: Mandatum novum do vobis (John 13:34). The Mandatum takes place on this day because our Lord washed the feet of His Apostles before the Institution of the Holy Eucharist from which this feast (in Latin Feria Quinta in Coena Domini) derives its most characteristic features. The Epistle, Gospel, Secret, Communicantes (special form), the Postcommunion, the Procession of the Blessed Sacrament after Mass, and the placing of the Ciborum of Hosts consecrated during the Mass in a tabernacle at the 'Altar of Repose' where It is to remain until the following day, are all intended to commemorate the institution of this Divine Sacrament. This day was the only Feast of the Blessed Sacrament up to the time when a special and very solemn Feast was instituted on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday. Private Masses are forbidden on this day. There is a general Communion at the Solemn Mass in which the priest takes part, to commemorate the custom of ancient times, when in cathedral churches the holy Sacrifice was offered by the Bishop, surrounded by his priests. Another ancient rite of this day is the Blessing of the Holy Oils and the reconciliation of public penitents. The only trace of the reconciliation of the penitents in our present Roman Missal is the Collect of the Mass 'Deus a quo' which is very ancient. In the early Middle Ages, when these ceremonies were observed, three Masses were celebrated on this day: (1) in memory of the Institution of the Holy Eucharist, (2) for the Blessing of the Holy Oils, and (3) for the reconciliation of public penitents. The second of these Masses is celebrated by the Bishop before noon in his Cathedral Church surrounded by his clergy.

After the evening Mass the Altar is stripped in order to show that the holy Sacrifice is interrupted and will not be offered again until Holy Saturday is ending.

Note: On Thursday and Friday Vespers are omitted, since the liturgical functions of the two days replace them, Compline is chanted in choir after the function.

~~*~~

Holy Thursday in Rome (Santissima Trinità dei Pelegrini):-




~~*~~

Links:
(image: Holy Thursday at the FSSP's Wigratzbad Seminary)

Wednesday in Holy Week

Wednesday 8 April 2009

FERIA IV HEBDOMADAE SANCTAE
Wednesday in Holy Week
1st Class, Violet


Oremus.

Præsta, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus : ut, qui nostris excéssibus incessánter afflígimur, per unigéniti Fílii tui passiónem liberémur : Qui tecum vivit et regnat.

Let us pray.

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God : that we, who are continually afflicted by reason of our transgressions, may be delivered by the Passion of thine only-begotten Son. Who liveth and reigneth with thee.

Links:

Tuesday in Holy Week

Tuesday 7 April 2009

FERIA III HEBDOMADAE SANCTAE
Tuesday in Holy Week
1st Class, Violet


Oremus.

Omnípotens sempitérne Deus : da nobis ita Domínicæ passiónis sacraménta perágere ; ut indulgéntiam percípere mereámur. Per eúmdem Dóminum.

Let us pray.

Almighty and everlasting God : grant that we may so celebrate the mysteries of the Passion of our Saviour ; that we may be worthy to obtain thy pardon. Through the same.

Links:
(image: Church of St. Praxedes, stational church for Tuesday in Holy Week)

Dom Gueranger: Monday in Holy Week: Against the Persecution of the Church

The Opening prayer for today in the post-Vatican II Missal is merely a bald, truncated version of the 1962 Collect. Between 1877 and 1962 the Church removed the option for an additional one, which had formerly been chosen from the two given below.

Dom Gueranger: "Then is added one of the following Collects.

Against the Persecution of the Church

Mercifully hear, we beseech thee, O Lord, the prayers of thy Church: that all oppositions and errors being removed, she may serve thee with a secure liberty. Through, &c

For the Pope

O God, the Pastor and Ruler of all the faithful, look down, in thy mercy, on thy servant N.(Benedict), whom thou hast appointed Pator over thy Church; and grant, we beseech thee, that both by word and example, he may edify all those that are under his charge; and with the flock intrusted to him, arrive at length at eternal happiness. Through &c"

What a loss, particularly in our present need. But we can still pray both these Collects privately this morning. 'Secure liberty'! What a phrase. And our Holy Father Benedict, now pleads for it in the face of a crazy world.

May God strengthen and protect him.

Monday in Holy Week

Monday 6 April 2009

FERIA II HEBDOMADAE SANCTAE
Monday in Holy Week
1st Class, Violet


Oremus.

Da, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus : ut, qui in tot advérsis ex nostra infirmitáte defícimus ; intercedénte unigéniti Fílii tui passióne respirémus : Qui tecum vivit et regnat.

Let us pray.

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God : that, whereas by reason of the frailty of our nature we are oppressed by the assaults of our enemies ; the meritorious passion of thy only-begotten Son may speedily help and deliver us. Who liveth and reigneth with thee.

Links:
(image: Mary, sister of Martha, anoints Christ's feet)

Palm Sunday

Sunday 5 April 2009

DOMINICA II PASSIONIS SEU IN PALMIS
Palm Sunday (Second Sunday of Passiontide)
1st Class, Red and Violet
No Gloria; Credo; Pref. of the Holy Cross
Procession & Mass; no Asperges*


Oremus.

Omnípotens sempitérne Deus, qui humáno géneri, ad imitándum humilitátis exémplum, Salvatórem nostrum carnem súmere, et crucem subíre fecísti : concéde propítius ; ut et patiéntiæ ipsíus habére documénta, et resurrectiónis consórtia mereámur. Per eúmdem Dóminum.

Let us pray.

Almighty and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the Cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility : mercifully grant that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection. Through the same.

~~*~~

Extract from the General Decree restoring Holy Week:

'Let the faithful be invited to take part in the Procession of the Palms in greater numbers, thus rendering Christ the King public witness of their love and gratitude.'

The Second Sunday in Passiontide would be in any case a great and holy day as it commemorates the last triumph of Our Lord Jesus Christ on earth and opens Holy Week. On this day, the Church celebrates the triumphant entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem; when the multitude, going before and following after Him, cut off the branches from the trees and strewed them in His way, shouting: 'Hosanna (glory and praise) to the Son of David. Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.' It is in commemoration of this triumph that palms are blessed and borne in solemn procession.

In fact, this Palm Sunday triumph of Our Lord only led to His death. But we know that this death was not a failure. It was through His Passion and Death that he conquered the world and entered into His Kingdom. 'I, if I be lifted up ... will draw all thing to myself' (John 12:32). So the Church asks the faithful to join in the triumphal Procession today as an act of homage and gratitude to Christ our King. This triumphal beginning to Holy Week is full of meaning. Although the purple Mass vestments and the Gospel of the Passion remind us that the Cross lies ahead, we already know that this is the means of victory. So the church asks us to begin Holy Week by joyfully and publicly acknowledging Christ the King.

The principal ceremonies of the day are the Blessing of the Palms, the Procession, and the Mass with the reading of the Passion. The Blessing of the Palms used to follow a ritual similar to that of the Mass, - having an Epistle, a Gospel, a Preface, and a Sanctus. The Epistle referred to the murmuring of the Israelites in the desert, and their sighing for the flesh-pots of Egypt. The Gospel was the same as now, describing the triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The prayers which followed the Sanctus, asked God to 'bless the branches of palm ... so that whoever receives them may find protection of soul and body ... that into whatever place they shall be brought, those there may obtain His blessing; that the devout faithful may understand the mystical meaning of the ceremony, that is, that the palms represent triumph over the prince of death ... and therefore the use of them declares both the greatness of the victory and the richness of God's mercy.'

Here we clearly have the remains of the early usage of having two Masses on this day: one for the Blessing of the Palms, the other after the Procession. The prayers of the Blessing, the Antiphons sung during the Procession, and the hymn Gloria laus, make this one of the most impressive ceremonies of the liturgical year.

~~*~~

Links:
* - for full rubrics refer to an Ordo
(image: Priests of the FSSP, Palm Sunday, Wombrecht)