Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday Procession “At an appropriate hour, a gathering takes place at a smaller church or other suitable place other than inside the church to which the procession will go. The faithful hold branches in their hands.”
The point of this gathering for the proclamation of the Gospel is so that we can get a sense of procession within the Liturgy. Therefore, Palm Sunday Mass begins in the Gym/Cafeteria of the School. There will be a few chairs in the room for those who need to sit, but the brief rite expects that we are standing during this time. We will then all process into the church to continue with the Mass. The rubrics explain it this way: “The Procession to the church where Mass will be celebrated then sets off in the usual way. If incense is used, the thurifer goes first, carrying a thurible with burning incense, then an acolyte or another minister, carrying a cross decorated with palm branches according to local custom, between two ministers with lighted candles. Then follow the Deacon carrying the Book of the Gospels, the Priest with the ministers, and, after them, all the faithful carrying branches. As the procession moves forward, the following or other suitable chants in honor of Christ the King are sung by the choir and people.” This is the first of the three processions of Holy Week.