Alm Sunday: Blessing of Palms

This Sunday, besides its liturgical and popular appellation of Palm Sunday, has had several other names. Thus it was called JSosanna Sunday, in allusion to the acclamation wherewith the Jews forefathers used also to call it Pascha Floridum, because the feast of the Pasch (or Easter), which is but eight days off, is to-day in bud, so to speak, and the faithful could begin from this Sunday to fulfil the precept of Easter Communion. It was in allusion to this name, that the Spaniards, having on the Palm Sunday of 1613, discovered the peninsula on the Ghilf of Mexioo, called it Florida. We also find the name of Capitilavium given to this Sunday, because, during those times when it was the custom to defer till Holy Saturday the baptism of infants born during the preceding months (where such a delay entailed no danger), the parents used, on this day, to wash the heads of these children, out of respeot to the holy chrism wherewith they were to be anointed. Later on, this Sunday was, at least in some ohurches, oalled the Pasch of the competent^ that is, of the catechumens, who were admitted to Baptism ; they assembled to-day in the church, and received a special instruction on the symbol, whioh had been given to them in the previous scrutiny. In the Gothio Churoh of Spain, the symbol was not given till to-day. The Greeks call this Sunday Baiphoros, that is, Palmbearing.

It begins with the ohanting of the following antiphon, whioh serves as an Introit.

Hosanna Alio ©avid! Be- Bosanna to the Son of

Jerusalem. Our

THE BLESSING OF THE PALMS nedictus qui venit in nomi- David! Blessed is he that ne Domini. 0 Rex Israel! cometh in the name of the Hosanna in excelsis! Lord. 0 King of Israel!

Hosanna in the highest!

The priest then sums up, in the following prayer, the petitions of the faithful. This is what he asks for his people: that after this short life is over, they may come io that eternal kingdom, which has been prepared for them by the Death and Resurrection of Jesus.

¥. Dominus vobiscum. It. The Lord be with you.

Jty. Et cum spiritu tuo. Ij?. And with thy spirit.

OREMUS LET US PRAY

Deus quem diligere et 0 God, whom to love is amare, justitia est, ineffa- true righteousness, multiply' in bilis gratiae tuae in nobis our hearts the gifts of thy dona multiplica; et qui fe- holy grace; and since, by the cisti nos in morte Filii tui death of thy only Son, thou sperare quae credimus, f ac hast made us to hope for those nos eodem resurgente per- things which we believe, grant venire quo tendimus. Qui that, by his resurrection, we tecum vivit et regnat in may arrive at the happy end unitate Spiritus sancti Deus of our journey. Who liveth per omnia saBcula saacu- and reigneth with thee, in the lorum. unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end. ty. Amen. Ij?. Amen.

After this prayer, the subdeacon chants a passage from the Book of Exodus, which relates how the people of God, after they had gone forth from Egypt, pitched their tents at Elim, beneath the shade of seventy palm-trees, where also were twelve fountains. While here, they were told by Moses that God was about to send them manna from heaven, and that, on the very next morning, their hunger would be appeased. These were figures of what is now given to the Christian people. The faithful, by a sincere conversion, have separated themselves from the Egypt of a sinful world. They are offering the palms of their loyalty and love to Jesus, their King. The fountains typify the Baptism, which, a few days hence, is to he administered to our catechumens. These fountains are twelve in number; the twelve articles of the symbol of our faith were preached to the world by the twelve apostles. And finally, on the morning of Easter day, Jesus, the Bread of life, the heavenly Manna, will arise from the tomb, and manifest His glory to us.

Lectio libri Exodi. Lesson

Cap, xv In diebus illis: Venerunt filii Israel in Elim, ubi erant duodecim fontes aquarum, et septuaginta palmae : et castrametati sunt juxta aquas. Prof ectique sunt de Elim: et venit omnis multitudo filiorum Israel in desertum Sin, quod est inter Elim et Sinai: quintodecimo die mensis secundi, postquam egressi sunt de terra Mgjpti. Et murmuravit omnis congregatio filiorum Israel contra Moysen et Aaron in solitudine. Dixeruntque filii Israel ad eos: Utinam mortui essemus per manum Domini in terra Mgypti, quando sedebamus super ollas carnium: et comedebamus panem in saturitate. Cur induxistis nos in desertum istud, ut occideretis omn.em multitudinem from the book of Exodus.

Ch. xv

In those days, the children of Israel came into Elim, where there were twelve fountains of water, and seventy palm-trees ; and they encamped by the waters. And they set forward from Elim ; and all the multitude of the children of Israel came into the desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, the fifteenth day of the second month after they came out of the land of Egypt. And all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. And the children of Israel said to them: Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat over the flesh pots, and ate bread to the full. Why have you brought us into this desert, that you might destroy all the. multitude with famine? And the Lord said to Moses: Behold I will rain bread from heaven for you; let the people go forth, and gather what is sufficient for every day, that I may prove them whether they will walk in my law, or no. But the sixth day let them provide for to bring in, and let it be double to that they were wont to gather every day. And Moses and Aaron said to the children of Israel: In the evening you shall know that the Lord hath brought you forth out of the land of Egypt: and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord.

After this lesson, the ohoir sings one of the two following responsories, whioh oommemorate the Passion of our Lord.

RE8PONSORT fame? Dixit autem Dominus ad Moysen: Ecce ego pluam vobis panes de coelo. Egrediatur populus, et colligat quae sufficiunt per singulos dies: ut tentem eum, utrum ambulet in lege mea, an non. Die autem sexto parent quod inf erant : et sit duplum, quam colligere solebant per singulos dies. Dixeruntque Moyses et Aaron ad omnes filios Israel: Vespere scietis, quod Dominus eduxerit vos de terra iEgypti: et mane videbitis gloriam Domini.

I$r. Collegerunt pontifices et pharisaei concilium, et dixerunt: Quid facimus, quia hie homo multa signa facit? Si dimittimus eum sic, omnes credent in eum: ° Et venient Romani, et tollent nostrum locum et gentem.

V. Unus autem ex illis, Caiphas nomine, cum esset pontifex anni illius, prophetavit dicens : Expedit vobis, ut unus moriatur homo pro populo, et non tota gens pereat. Ab illo ergo die cogitaverunt interficere eum dicentes;

Ipr. The chief priests therefore and the pharisees gathered a council, and said: What are we doing, for this man perf ormeth many wonders ? If we let him go on thus, all will believe in him. ° And the Romans will come and destroy both our country and people.

It. But one of them, named Caiphas, being the high priest of that year, said to them: It is for your interest that one man should die for the people, and not the whole nation perish. Therefore from that day they devised to kill him, saying:

PALM SUNDAY : BLESSING OF PALMS

• Et venient Bomani, et tollent nostrum locum et gentem.

Ijf . In monte Oliveti oravit ad Patrem: Pater, si fieri potest, transeat a me calix iste. ° Spiritus quidem promptus est: caro autem infirma: fiat voluntas tua. f. Vigilate et orate, ut non intretis in tentationem.

° Spiritus quidem promptus est : caro autem infirma : fiat voluntas tua.

0 And the Romans will come and destroy both our country and people.

Bp. Jesus prayed unto his Father on Mount Olivet: 0 Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me. ° The spirit indeed is ready, but the flesh is weak. Thy will be done. t. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.

° The spirit indeed is ready, but the flesh is weak. Thy will be done.

The deacon then ohants, from the Gospel of Saint Matthew, the history of Jesus' triumphant entry into J erusalem. The palms of the new Testament entwine with those of the old, in honour of the Man-God, who is the oonneoting link of both.

GOSPEL

Sequentia sancti Evangelii secundum Matthaaum.

Cap. xxi. In illo tempore : Cum appropinquasset Jesus Jerosolymis et venisset Bethphage, ad montem Oliveti; tunc misit duos discipulos, dicens eis: Ite in castellum, quod contra vos est: et statim invenietis asinam alligatam, et pullum cum ea: solvite, et adducite mihi. Et si quis vobis aliquid dixerit, dicite quia Dominus his opus habet: etconfestim dimittet eos. Hoc autem totum factum est, ut adimpleretur quod dictum est per prophetam dicentem: Dicite fili»

Sequel of the holy Gospel according to Matthew. Ch. xxi. At that time: When Jesus drew nigh to Jerusalem, and was come to Bethphage, unto mount Olivet, he sent two disciples, saying to them: Go ye into the village that is over against you, and immediately you shall find an ass tied and a colt with her; loose them and bring them to me. And if any man shall say anything to you, say ye, that the Lord hath need of them; and forthwith he will let them go. Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying : Tell ye the daugh-

Sion: Ecce Bex tuns venit tibi mansuetus, sedens super asinam, et pullum filium subjugalis. Euntes autem discipuli, fecerunt sicuj praecepit illis Jesus. Et adduxerunt asinam, et pullum: et imposuerunt super eos vestimenta sua, et eum desuper sedere fecerunt. Plurima autem turba straverunt vestimenta sua in via. Alii autem csedebant ramos de arboribus, et sternebant in via. Turbae autem quae praecedebant, et quae sequebantur, clamabant, dicentes: Hosanna filio David! benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini!

ter of Sion: Behold, thy King cometh to thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt, the foal of her that is used to the yoke. And the disciples going, did as Jesus commanded them: and they brought the ass and the colt, and laid their garments upon them, and made him sit thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way, and others cut boughs from the trees, and strewed them in the way; and the multitudes that went before and that followed, cried, saying: Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord!

And now the mystery-speaking palms are to receive the Church's blessing. The priest begins by two scriptural allusions: the first is to Noah, who received an olive-branch, when the waters of the deluge had subsided ; the second is to Moses, whose people, after quitting Egypt, encamped under the seventy palm-trees. Then in the solemn tone of the Preface, he calls upon all oreatures to give praise to the adorable name of Jesus, for whom we are preparing the homage of our devoted love. Let us respond to the invitation, and sing with all our hearts: Holy! Holy! Holy! — Hosanna in excehis!

f. The Lord be with you. And with thy spirit.

Dominus vobiscum. Et cum spiritu tuo.

Auge fidem in te sperantium, Deus, et supplicum preces clementer exaudi: veniat super nos multiplex misericordia tua; benedi-

Increase, 0 God, the faith of them that hope in thee, and mercifully hear the prayers of thy suppliants; let thy manifold mercy come upon us, and

PALM SUNDAY : BLESSING OP PALMS cantur et hi palmites palmarum, sen oli varum: et sicut in figura Ecclesiaa multiplicasti Noe egredientem de area, et Moysen exeuntem de iEgypto cum filiis Israel: ita nos portantes palmos, et ramos olivarum bonis actibus occurramus obviam Christo, et per ipsum in gaudium introeamus aeternum. Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus sancti Deus,

1t. Per omnia saecula saeculorum. B7. Amen.

J . Dominus vobiscum. Rr. Et cum spiritu tuo. J . Sursum corda. I£. Habemus ad Dominum.

Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.

]$r. Dignum et justum est.

Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutare, nos tibi semper et ubique gratias agere, Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus. Qui gloriaris in consilio sanctorum tuorum. Tibi enim serviunt creatures tuae: quia te solum auctorem et Deum cognoscunt: et omnis factura tua te collaudat, et benedicunt te sancti tui. Quia illud magnum Unigeniti tui nomen, coram regibus et potestatibus hujus saeculi, libera voce confitentur. Cui assi- let these branches of palm-trees, or olive-trees be blessed; and as in a figure of the Church thou didst multiply Noah going out of the ark, and Moses going out of Egypt with the children of Israel, so let us, carrying palms and branches of olive-trees, go and meet Christ with good works, and enter through him into eternal joys. Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, f. For ever and ever. Rr. Amen.

J . The Lord be with you. R?. And with thy spirit, f . Lift up your hearts. If. We have fixed them on God. f. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. ty. It is meet and just.i It is truly meet and just, right and available to salvation, always and in all places to give thee thanks, 0 holy Lord, almighty Father, eternal God, who art glorious in the assembly of thy saints. For thy creatures serve thee, because they acknowledge thee for their only Creator and God. And the whole creation praiseth thee, and thy saints bless thee, because they confess with freedom, before the kings and powers of this world, the great name of thy only-begotten Son. Before whom the Angels and stunt Angeli et Archangeli, Throni et Dominationes: cumque omni militia coelestis exercitus, hymnum gloriaB tuae concinunt, sine fine dicentes:

Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth.

Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua.

Hosanna in excelsis.

Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.

Hosanna in excelsis.

Archangels, the Thrones and Dominations, stand, and with all the troops of the heavenly host, sing a hymn to thy glory, saying without ceasing:

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts!

Heaven and earth are full of thy glory.

Hosanna in the highest 1

Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest! The prayers which now follow, explain the mystery of the palms, and draw down the blessing of God both upon them and upon the faithful who receive and keep them with proper dispositions.

Dominus vobiscum. ty. Et cum spiritu tuo.

Petimus, Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, asterne Deus: ut hanc creaturam olivae, quam ex ligni materia prodire jussisti, quamque columba rediens ad arcam, proprio pertulit ore: benedicere et sanctificare digneris: ut quicumque ex ea receperint, accipiant sibi protectionem animaB et corporis, fiatque, Domine, nostrae salutis remedium, tuae gratiae sacramentum. Per Dominum nostrum.

Ip. Amen.

Deus, qui dispersa congregas, et congregata con- t . The Lord be with you. I£. And with thy spirit.

We beseech thee, 0 holy Lord, almighty Father, eternal God, that thou wouldst be pleased to bless and sanctify this creature of the olive tree, which thou madest to shoot out of the substance of the wood, and which the dove, returning to the ark, brought in its bill; that whoever receiveth it, may find protection of soul and body, and that it may prove, 0 Lord, a saving remedy, and a sacred sign of thy grace. Through, &c. ty. Amen.

0 God, who gatherest what is dispersed, and preserve*!

servas: qui populis obviam Jesu ramos portantibus benedbdsti: benedic etiam hos ramos palmae et oliv», quos tui famuli ad honorem nominis tui fideliter suscipiunt: ut in quemcumque locum introducti fuerint, tuam benedictionem habitatores loci illius consequantur: et omni adversitate effugata, dextera tua protegat quos redemit Jesus Christus Films tuus Dominus noster. Qui tecum.

1(7. Amen.

Deus, qui miro dispositionis ordine, ex rebus etiam insensibilibus, dispensationem nostras salutis ostendere voluisti: da quaesumus, ut devota tuorum corda fidelium salubriter intelligant, quid mystice designet in facto, quod hodie coelesti lumine afflata, Redemptori obviam procedens, palmarum atque olivarum ramos vestigiis ejus turba substra- F vit. Palmarum igitur rami de mortis principe triumphos exspectant: surculi vero olivarum spiritualem unctionem advenisse quodammodo clamant. Intellexit enim jam tunc ilia hominum beata multitudo preafigurari: quia Redemptor noafar humanis condolens mi- what is gathered; who didst bless the people that carried boughs to meet Jesus; bless also these branches of the palm-tree and olive-tree which thy servants take with faith in honour of thy name; that into whatever place they may be carried, the inhabitants of that place may obtain thy blessing, and thy right hand may preserve from all adversity, and protect those that have been redeemed by our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son. Who liveth, &c. TBp. Amen.

O God, who by the wonderful order of thy providence wouldst, even in insensible things, show us the manner of our salvation ; grant, we beseech thee, that the devout hearts of thy faithful may understand to their benefit the mystical meaning of that ceremony, when the multitude, by direction from heaven, going this day to meet our Redeemer, strewed under his feet palms and olive-branches. The palms * represent his triumph over the prince of death; and the olive- ' branches proclaim, in some * manner, the coming of a spiritual unction. For that pious multitude then knew, what was by them signified, that our Redeemer, compassionating the misery of mankind, was to seriis, pro totius mundi vita cum mortis principe esset pugnaturus, ac moriendo triumphaturus. Et ideo talia obsequens administravit, quae in illo et triumphos victorias, et misericordiae pinguedinem declararent. Quod nos quoque plena fide, et factum et signification retinentes, te Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus, per eumdem Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum suppliciter exoramus: ut in ipso atque per ipsuin, cujus nos membra fieri voluisti, de mortis imperio victoriam reportantes, ipsius glorio883 resurrectionis participes esse mereamur. Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus 'sancti Deus, per omnia saeculaisaeculorum. Jty. Amen.

Deus, qui per olivae ramum, pacem terris columbam nuntiare jussisti: praasta quaasumus: ut hos olivae caeterarumque arborum ramos, coelesti benedictione sanctifices: ut cuncto populo tuo proficiant ad salutem. Per Christum Dominum nostrum.

Amen.

Benedic, quaasumus, Domine, hos palmarum, seu glivarum ramos; et praesta fight for the life of the whole world with the prince of death; and to triumph over him by his own death. And therefore in that action they made use of such things as might declare both the triumph of his victory, and the riches of his mercy. We also with a firm faith, retaining both the ceremony and its signification, humbly beseech thee, 0 holy Lord, almighty Father, eternal God, through the same Lord Jesus Christ, that we, whom thou hast made his members, gaining by him, and in him, a victory over the empire of death, may deserve to be partakers of his glorious resurrection. Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end. IjZ. Amen.

0 God, who by an olive branch didst command the dove to proclaim peace to the world; sanctify, we beseech, thee, by thy heavenly benediction, these branches of olives and other trees; that they may be serviceable to all thy people unto salvation. Through, &c.

Ijz. Amen.

Bless, 0 Lord, we beseech thee, these branches of the palm-tree! or olive-tree; and

PALM SUNDAY: BLESSING OF PALMS an ut quod populus tuns in tui venerationem hodierna die corporaliter agit, hoc spiritualiter summa devotione perficiat, de hoste victoriam reportando, et opus misericordi® summopere diligendo. Per Dominum. grant that what thy people this day act corporally for thy honour, they may perform the same spiritually with the greatest devotion, by gaining a victory over their enemy, and ardently loving the work of thy mercy. Through, &c. I$r. Amen.

IJjr. Amen.

The priest oompletes the blessing of the palms by sprinkling them with holy water and thurifying them with inoense. After whioh, he adds the following prayer. f . Dominus vobiscum. Ip. Et cum spiritu tuo.

Deus, qui Filium tuum Jesum Christum Dominum nostrum, pro salute nostra in hunc mundum misisti, ut se humiliaret ad nos, et nos revocaret ad te: cui etiam dum Jerusalem veniret, ut adimpleret Scripturas, credentium populorum turba, fidelissima devotione, vestimenta sua cum ramis palmarum in via sternebant: praesta, quaesumus, ut illi fidei viam praparemus: de qua remoto lapide offensionis, et petra scandali, frondeant apud te opera nostra justitiae ramis: ut ejus vestigia sequi mereamur. Qui tecum vivit et regnat 'in unitate Spiritus sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculornm.

3?. Amen.

J . The Lord be with you. Ij?. And with thy spirit.

0 God, who, for our salvation, didst send into this world thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord that he might humble himself to our condition, and call us back to thee: for whom also, as he was coming to Jerusalem, to fulfil the Scriptures, a multitude of faithful people, with a zealous devotion, spread their garments together with palm branches in the way: grant, we beseech thee, that we may prepare him the way of faith, out of which the stone of offence and the rock of scandal being removed, our actions may flourish with branches of righteousness, so that we may be worthy to follow his steps. Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end.

After this prayer, the priest distributes the palms to the faithful. During the distribution, the choir reminds us, by the two following antiphons, of the enthusiasm of the little ohildren of Jerusalem, who, with their palms in their hands, sang their loud: Hosanna to the Son of David /

Pueri Hebrreorum portantes ramos olivarum obviaverunt Domino, clamantes, et dicentes: Hosanna in excelsis!

The Hebrew children carrying olive-branches met the Lord, crying out, and saying: Hosanna in the highest I

Pueri Hebraeorum vestimenta prosternebant in via, et clamabant dicentes: Hosanna filio David; benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini!

The Hebrew children spread their garments in the way, and cried out saying: Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord I

As soon as the distribution is over, the priest oonoludes this first part of the service by the following prayer. t. Dominus vobiscum. if. The Lord be with you.

Et cum spiritu tuo. Ip. And with thy spirit.

OREMTJS

Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, quiDominum nostrum Jesum Christum super pullum asinro sedere fecisti: et turbas populorum vestimenta, vel ramos arborum in via sternere, et Hosanna decantare in laudem ipsius docuisti: da qusesumus, ut illorum

0 almighty and eternal God, who wouldst have our Lord Jesus Christ ride on the colt of an ass, and didst inspire the crowds of people to spread their garments, and branches of trees in the way, and to sing Hosanna to his praise: grant, we beseech thee, that

1 In receiving the palm, the faithful should kiss first the palm itself, and then the priest's hand.

PALM SUNDAY: PROCESSION innocemtiam imitari posri- we may imitate their inno- mus, et eorum meritum con- cence, and deserve to -partake sequi mereamur. Per eum- in their merits. Through the dem Christum Dominnm same Christ our Lord, nostrum.

I£. Amen. Ip. Amen.

THE PKOCESSION

The priest having blessed the incense — which, according to the oustom of the Churoh, always heads a prooession and sheds its perfume along the path that is to be taken — the deacon turns towards the people, and gives the signal for departure, with these words:

Procedamua in pace. Let us proceed in peace.

The ohoir answers:

In nomine Christi. Amen. In the name of Christ. Amen.

The procession then advances, the clergy and people holding the palms in their hands. The choir chants the following antiphons, in honour of Jesus, the King of Israel.

Cum appropinquaret minus Jerosolymam, misit duos ex dicipulis suis, dicens: Ite in castellum, quod contra vos est: et invenietis pullum asinae alligatum, super quern nullus hominam sedit: solvite, et addumihi. Si quia vos interrogaverit, dicite: Opus untied,

Do- When the Lord drew nigh to Jerusalem, he sent two of his disciples, saying: Go ye into the village that is over against you: and you will find the colt of an ass tied, loose it, and bring it to me. If any one ask you any questions, say: cite The Lord wanteth it. They and brought it to Jesus, Pomino eat* Solvents ad- and laid their garments upon duxerunt ad Jesum: et imposuerunt illi vestimenta sua, et sedit super eum: alii expandebant vestimenta sua in via: alii ramos de arboribus sternebant, et qui sequebantur, clamabant: Hosanna! benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini, et benedictum regnum patris nostri David ! Hosanna in excelsis ! Miserere nobis, fili David!

it; and he seated himself on it. Others spread their garments in the way; others cut branches from the trees; and those who followed, cried out, Hosanna! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; and blessed be the reign of our father David! Hosanna in the highest! 0 Son of David, have mercy on us!

Cum audisset populus, quia Jesus venit Jerosolymam, acceperunt ramos palmarum, et exierunt ei obviam, et clamabant pueri dicentes: Hie est, qui venturus est in salutem populi: Hie est salus nostra, et redemptio Israel. Quantus est iste, cui Throni et Dominationes occurrunt! Noli timere, filia Sion! ecce Rex tuus venit tibi sedens super pullum asinae sicut scriptum est. Salve Rex fabricator mundi, qui venisti redemire nos!

When the people heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they took palm-branches and went out to meet him ; and the children cried out,* saying: This is he, who is come for the salvation of the people. He is our salvation, and the redemption of Israel. How great is he, whom the Thrones and Dominations go out to meet! Fear not, 0 daughter of Sion: behold thy King cometh to thee sitting on an ass's colt, as it is written. Hail, 0 King, the Creator of the world, who art come to redeem us!

Ante sex dies solemnis Paschas, quando venit Dominus in civitatem Jerusalem, occurrerunt ei pueri: et in manibus portabant ramos palmarum: et clamabant voce magna dicentes: Hosanna in excelsis! Benedictus qui venisti in multi-

Six days before the solemnity of the Passover, when the Lord was coming into the city of Jerusalem, the children met him, and carried palm-branches in their hands; and they cried out with a loud voice, saying: Hosanna in the highest: blessed art thou who art come in

PALM SUMDAT: PROCE88ION tndine misericordira tu»; the multitude of thy mercy; Hosanna in excelsis! Hosanna in the highest!

Occurrunt turbse cum floribus et palmis Redemptori obviam: et victori triumphanti digna dant obsequia. Filium Dei ore gentes pr»dicant: et in laudem Christi voces tonant per nubila: Hosanna in excelsis!

The multitude goeth out to meet their Redeemer with flowers and palms, and payeth the homage due to a triumphant conqueror: the Gentiles proclaim the Son of God: and their voices rend the skies in the praise of Christ: Hosanna in the highest!

Cum angelis et pueris fideles inveniamur, triumphatori mortis clamantes: Hosanna in excelsis! Hosanna in

Let us faithfully join with the angels and children, singing to the Conqueror of death : the highest!

Turba multa qu® conve- A nerat ad diem festum, clamabat Domino: Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini! Hosanna in excelsis!

great multitude that was met together at the festival cried out to the Lord: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!

The procession 'is now on its return to the church: but it cannot enter, for the doors are shut. We have already explained the meaning of this part of the oeremony. Immediately there are heard voices within the holy plaoe ; they are singing the praises of Christ, our King and Saviour. These cantors represent the holy angels in heaven, who are greeting the entry of Jesus into the eternal Jerusalem. Outside the ohuroh, there stands the ohoir, re-eohoing the hymn of triumph ; but it is man oelebrating the entry of the Son of JDavid into the earthly Jerusalem. The two choirs are thus kept separated from each pther, until at length the victorious cross throws open the door, which represents the gate of heaven, and unites the Church militant with the Church triumphant. The hymn which is sung during this ceremony, was composed by Theodulf bishop of Orleans, when prisoner at Angers, by order of Louis the Good. The Churoh of Rome, by using the first six stanzas of this short poem, has immortalized it throughout the world.

The cantors within the church begin the first stanza, whioh is repeated by the choir without, not only after this, but also after each of the following five stanzas.

HYMN

Gloria, laus et honor, tibi sit, Rex Christe, Re- demptor! Cui puerile decus prompsit

Hosanna pium. 1$. Gloria, laus. Israel es tu Rex, Davidis et inclyta proles: Nomine qui in Domini, rex benedicte, venis.

Gloria, laus. CoBtus in excelsis, te laudat coelicus omnis, Et mortalis homo, et cuncta creata simul. Gloria, laus. Plebs Hebraea tibi cum palmis obvia venit: Cum prece, voto, hymnis, adsumus ecce tibi.

1$. Gloria, laus. Hi tibi passuro solvebant munia laudis;

Glory, praise, and honour be to thee, 0 Christ, our King, our Saviour; to whom the innocent children sang their fervent Hosanna.

Ip. Glory, praise, &c.

Thou art the King of Israel, the glorious Son of David I Blessed art thou our King! that comest in the name of the Lord.

Glory, praise, &c.

The whole heavenly host, in the highest heavens above, and men on earth, and all created things praise thee. Glory, praise, &c.

The Hebrew people, with palms, went forth to meet thee : behold, we, too, present ourselves before thee, with our prayers, desires, and hymns. Glory, praise, &c.

They offered the tribute of their praise to thee, when thou

PALM SUNDAY; PBOCBS^ipN

Npatib? regnanti pangimus ecco melos.

Gloria, laus. Hi placuere tibi, placeat devotio nostra, Bex bone, rex clemens, cui bona cuncta placent.

~5ty. Gloria, laus. wast about to suffer; we sing our hymn to thee seated on thy throne.

Glory, praise, &c. They were pleasing to thee; grant that our devotion may also please thee, 0 dear and merciful King! to whom all is pleasing that is good. Glory, praise, &c.

As soon as the choir has sung its; response to the last stanza, the subdeacon knocks with the cross at the door, which is immediately opened. In some plaoes, it is the celebrant himself who performs this ceremony, and while doing it he recites the words of Psalm xxiii, in which David celebrates the entrance of our Redeemer into heaven on the day of His Ascension.

The procession then enters the ohurch, singing the following responsory:

RESPONSORY

37. Ingrediente Domino in sanctam civitatem, Hebrffiorum pueri resurrectionem vit® pronuntiantes; 0 Cum ramis palmarum, Hosanna clamabant in excelsis.

Cum audisset populus, quod Jesus veniret Jerosolymam, exierunt obviam ei.

0 Cum ramis palmarum, Hosanna clamabant in excelsis.

15?. As our Lord entered the holy city, the Hebrew children declaring the resurrection of life, 0 With palm-branches, cried out: Hosanna in the highest!

f. When the people heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they went out to meet him.

0 With palm-branches, cried out: Hosanna in the highest!

MASS

The Station at Rome is in the basilica of St. John Lateran, the mother and mistress of all Churches. The papal function, however, now takes place at St. Peter's; but the usual indulgences are still granted to those who visit the arohbasilica.

The Mass of this Sunday retains no vestige of the joy, which characterized the ceremony of the palms. The Introit is taken from Psalm xxi, in whioh the royal prophet expresses the anguish of soul suffered by Jesus on the cross.

INTROIT

Domine, ne longe facias auxilium tuum a me, ad defensionem meam adspice; libera me de ore leonis, et a cornibus unicornium humilitatem meam.

Ps. Deus, Deus meus, respice in me, quare me dereliquisti? longe a salute mea verba delictorum meorum.

Domine, ne longe.

0 Lord, keep not thy help far from me; look to my defence; save me from the lion's mouth, and rescue me in my distress, from the horns of unicorns.

Ps. 0 God, my God, look upon me: why hast thou forsaken me? It is the cry of my sins that keeps salvation far from me.

0 Lord, keep not, &c.

In the Collect the Church prays that we may have grace to imitate the patience and humility of our Saviour. Jesus suffers and humbles Himself for us ; it is but just that we should work out our salvation by following His example, that we should suffer, and be humble.

COLLECT

Omnipotens sempiterne 0 almighty and eternal Deus, qui humano generi ad God, who wouldst have our imitandum humilitatis ex- Saviour become man, and suf -