The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday

The Liturgy of the Palms

When circumstances permit, the congregation may gather at a place apart from the church, so that all may go into the church in procession. The branches of palm or of other trees or shrubs to be carried in the procession may be distributed to the People before the service, or after the prayer of blessing.

The following or some other suitable anthem is sung or said, the People standing.

Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.

Celebrant
Let us pray.

Assist us mercifully with your help, O Lord God of our salvation; that we may enter with joy upon the meditation of those mighty acts, whereby you have given us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Here a Deacon, or a Priest, reads one of the following:
Year A Matt. 21:1-11
Year B Mark 11:1-11a
Year C Luke 19:29-40

Blessing over the Branches

The Celebrant then says the following blessing:
The Lord be with you.

People
And also with you.

Celebrant
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People
It is right to give him thanks and praise.

It is right to praise you, Almighty God, for the acts of love by which you have redeemed us through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. On this day he entered the holy city of Jerusalem in triumph, and was proclaimed as King of kings by those who spread their garments and branches along his way. Let these branches be for us signs of his victory, and grant that we who bear them in his name may ever hail him as our King, and follow him in the way that leads to eternal life; who lives and reigns in glory with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

The following or some other suitable anthem may then be sung or said:
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

The preceding anthem may be sung in full to a suitable setting by the congregation or by the choir, or as a versicle and response.

The Procession

Deacon
Let us go forth in peace.

People
In the name of Christ. Amen.

During the procession, all hold branches in their hands, and appropriate hymns, psalms, or anthems are sung, such as the hymn "All glory, laud, and honor" and Ps. 118:19-29.

Antiphon:
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

The italicized portion of the preceding Antiphon may be repeated after each verse of the Psalm.

At services on this day other than the principal celebration, suitable portions of the preceding may be used.

At the Eucharist

When the Liturgy of the Palms immediately precedes the Eucharist, the celebration begins with the Salutation and Collect of the Day.

Celebrant
The Lord be with you.

People
And with thy spirit.

Celebrant
Let us pray.

Collect

I. Almighty and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

II. Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Old Testament	Isa. 45:21-25, or 52:13-15; 53:1-12
Psalm	Ps. 22:1-21, or 22:1-11
Epistle	Phil. 2:5-11

The Passion Gospel is announced in the following manner:

The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to  .

The customary responses before and after the Gospel are omitted.
Year A Matt. 26:36-75; 271-54(55-66), or 27:1-54(55-66)
Year B Mark 14:32-72; 151-39(40-47), or 15:1-39(40-47)
Year C Luke 22:39-71; 231-49(50-56), or 23:1-49(50-56)

The Passion Gospel may be read or chanted by lay persons. Specific roles may be assigned to different persons, the congregation taking the part of the crowd.

The congregation may be seated for the first part of the Passion.

At the verse which mentions the arrival at Golgotha (Matt. 27:33, Mark 15:22, Luke 23:33) all stand.

When the Liturgy of the Palms has preceded, the Nicene Creed and the Penitential Rite may be omitted at this service.

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord, may the suffering and death of Jesus, your only Son, make us pleasing to you. Alone we can do nothing, but may this perfect sacrifice win us your mercy and love. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.

Preface 9 - Holy Week