Second Sunday of the Passion
Before the Mass is the Blessing of the Palms, which includes an Antiphon, Psalms, and Gospel reading. Then comes the Procession with hymns, when we carry the palms either around the church or outside, weather permitting, and then the Mass, during which there is a very long reading sung in 3 parts by 3 deacons (or priest and deacons such as the case may be) — a long recitation of the Passion, including Matthew 26:36-75 and Matthew 27:1-60. Prepare for a very long Mass!
Carrying palms… in procession goes way back into the Old Testament, where it was not only approved but commanded by God at the very foundation of the Old Testament religion. In the fall of the year, after the harvest, when the people gathered for the Feast of Tabernacles God said in Leviticus 23:40:
And you shall take to you on the first day the fruits of the fairest tree, and branches of palm trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook: And you shall rejoice before the Lord your God.
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We made it, praise God! Dad and Papi were sick but they had a brief reprieve.
I’m so very thankful for the rich liturgical customs that we are able to take part in. The children are becoming more in awe of our faith, with every celebration. I pray that their love for Our Lord and Holy Mother Church continues to blossom.
When I say brief, I mean brief. We had to stay at church longer than desired since my tire went flat when I arrived at Mass. We all gave thanks to God for getting us to Mass safely. We were also blessed with two very wonderful young men who volunteered to fix the tire. Dad slept on the hour drive home (since he worked a night shift) and two more children became ill on the ride home. We are still recovering but embracing our Holy Week.
ALL FOR JESUS!
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