Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion

Palm Sunday, which falls on March 24, 2013, marks the end of the Catholic Lent Season and the beginning of Holy Week. The liturgy for this Sunday is one of the most beautiful prayers for Lent.

The vestment used by the priest, and the liturgical color is red.

The official liturgical title of this day is "Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion". Because it brings together the triumphal procession of Christ as King and the proclamation of his Passion.  There are two important thoughts we can glean from the Church rite:

1.  Jesus' entry into Jerusalem is commemorated by means of a solemn procession of palm branches.

The people gather together in a lesser church or in another suitable place outside the church.  The rite of the blessing of palm branches by the priest takes place.

In Christianity, palm branches signify victory over the prince of death. It is a sign of victory over the flesh and the world, according to Psalm 92:13 (Justus ut palma florebit,  which means "The just shall flourish like the palm tree.") Palms are especially associated with the memory of the martyrs of the Church. For example, our second Filipino Saint Pedro Calungsod carries a palm branch to signify his martyrdom.

Also, palm branches have been used by all nations as an emblem of joy and victory over enemies.

In places where palm trees cannot be found, branches of olive or other trees are used. In such cases at least little flowers or crosses made of palm be attached to the olive boughs.

After the ceremony of the blessing of the palms, the first Gospel reading of the Lord's entrance into Jerusalem (according to Luke 19:28-40) is proclaimed. A short homily may be given by the priest, but it is optional.

Then, the procession of the blessed palms to the church follows. The people take part in the procession singing and waving branches of the palm tree or other trees in their hands.

2.    Jesus' suffering and death, according to Luke 23:1-49:

Part Two of this Sunday's liturgy is the celebration of Holy Mass when the procession is inside the church and the priest-celebrant reaches the altar proper.

In the Gospel part, the narration of the Lord's Passion is read without candles, incense, initial greeting or marking of the book with the sign of the cross.

The main Gospel may be read by a deacon, or even by lay readers, the part of Christ being reserved if possible to the priest-celebrant. At the end of the reading is said, "The Gospel of the Lord",  but the book is not kissed.

The main homily is given after the Gospel reading.

Then the celebration of the Holy Mass continuous, as the usual liturgy.

After the Palm Sunday ceremony, the blessed palms are taken home by the faithful and devoutly kept at home to call to mind the victory of Christ as celebrated by today's procession.

A blessed Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion to all.

Deo Optimo Maximo

Sources: Ordo 2013 and Catholic Encyclopedia