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 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, O 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. R. Amen. Let us pray. Deus, qui per oliva. O 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. Thro'. R. Amen. Let us pray. Benedic. Bless, O Lord, we beseech thee, these branches of the palm-tree, or olive-tree; and 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 and ardently loving mercy. Thro'. R enemy, Here the Priest sprinkles the Palms with Holy Water, saying Sprinkle, &c. as in p. xiii. and having fumed them thrice with incense, he says: The Lord be with you. R. And with thy spirit. Let us pray. Deus, qui Filium. O 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. R. Amen. The Palms, being blessed, are distributed to the people kneeling and kissing them as well as the Priest's hand. During the distribution the following Anthems are repeated till the whole are distributed: ANTHEM. The Hebrew children carrying olivebranches met the Lord, crying out, and saying: Hosanna in the highest. ANTHEM. 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. The Lord be with you. R. And with thy spirit. Let us pray. Omnipotens. O 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 we may imitate their innocence, and deserve to partake of their merits. Thro'. R. Amen. Here the PROCESSION begins in the usual form, during which, some of the following Anthems are sung. The Priest or Deacon giving notice thereof by saying: Let us set out in peace. R. In the name of Christ. Amen. ANTHEMS during the PROCESSION. ANTHEM. Matt. xxi. 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, upon which no man hath sat; loose it, and bring it to me. If any one ask you any questions, say: The Lord wanteth it. They untied and brought it to Jesus, and laid their garments upon 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: Hosannu in the highest. O Son of David have mercy on us. ANTHEM. 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, O daughter of Sion: behold thy king cometh to thee sitting on an ass's colt, as it is written. Hail, O King, the Creator of the world, who art come to redeem us. ANTHEM. Six days before the solemnity of the Passover, when the Lord was coming into the city of Jerusalem, the children met him, and carried palmbranches in their hands; and they cried out with a loud voice, saying. Hosanna in the highest: blessed art thou who art come in the multitude of thy mercy: Hosanna in the highest. ANTHEM. 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. ANTHEM. Let us faithfully join with the angels and children, singing to the Conqueror of death: Hosanna in the highest. ANTHEM. A 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. At the return of the Procession, two or four chanters go into the church, and shutting the door, with their faces towards the Procession, sing the two first verses of the following Hymn,* To thee, O Christ, &c. which are repeated by the Priest and the others without the church. Then they who are within, sing the following verses; to which those that are without, after every two verses, answer, * To thee, O Christ, be glory, praises loud: To thee, Hosanna, cried the Jewish crowd. We Israel's monarch, David's Son proclaim: Thou com'st, blest King, in God's most holy name. R. To thee. Angels and men, in one harmonious choir, To sing thy everlasting praise conspire. R. To thee. Thee Israel's children met with conqu'ring palms; To thee our vows we pay in loudest psalms. R. To thee. For thee on earth with boughs they strew'd the ways: To thee in heaven we sing melodious praise, R. To thee. |