Course 4, Chapter 35: Christianity visible. — Palm Sunday. — Holy Thursday

1. What circumstance in the life of our Lord does the church honor on Palm Sunday?

She honors the triumphal entry of our Lord into Jerusalem five days before his death. For the fulfil ment of the prophecies our Lord was pleased to make a solemn entry into Jerusalem. As he approached, the whole people went out to meet him, carrying branches of olive in their hands and making the air resound with their acclamations, Glory to the Son of David, blessed is he that corneth in the name of the Lord.

2. What does the procession with palms represent?

.1. It represents the entry of our Lord into Jerusalem, and his entry into heaven with his elect after the last judgment.

3. What "should we do with our palms?

We should preserve them with great respect and keep them in our chambers.

4. What mystery do we celebrate on Holy Thursday?

On Holy Thursday we celebrate the institution of the holy eucharist. On this day we should in a particular manner evince our gratitude to our Lord for having given himself to us, and ask his pardon for the insults to which he is subjected in the holy sacrament.

5. What ceremony takes place before mass?

The absolution of penitents, because formerly it was on Holy-Thursday that those penitents were reconciled who had been subjected to public penance at the commencement of Lent.

6. What was done on Holy-Thursday?

On Holy-Thursday all the faithful receive communion; and we cannot choose a more suitable day to approach the holy communion and testify our gratitude to our Saviour.

7. What is done during the mass?

During the mass the holy oils are blessed for administering the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, holy orders and extreme unction. After mass the blessed sacrament is carried to the repository, which represents the tomb of the Saviour. The altars are stripped and the bells cease to ring in sign of sorrow.

8. What is done after mass?

After mass takes place the washing of feet, in memory of the example and precept of our Lord, who washed the feet of his apostles.