GOSPEL (Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (21:1-11)

When Jesus and the disciples drew near Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find an ass tethered, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them here to me. And if anyone should say anything to you, reply, ‘The Master has need of them.’ Then he will send them at once.” This happened so that what had been spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled: “Say to daughter Zion, ‘Behold, your king comes to you, meek and riding on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’” The disciples went and did as Jesus had ordered them. They brought the ass and the colt and laid their cloaks over them, and he sat upon them. The very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds preceding him and those following kept crying out and saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest.” And when he entered Jerusalem the whole city was shaken and asked, “Who is this?” And the crowds replied, “This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee.” —The Gospel of the Lord.

R. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Dear brethren (brothers and sisters),

like the crowds who acclaimed Jesus in Jerusalem,

let us go forth in peace.

Or

Let us go forth in peace.

All: In the name of Christ. Amen.

9. 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.

Antiphon 1

The children of the Hebrews, carrying olive branches,

went to meet the Lord, crying out and saying:

Hosanna in the highest.

If appropriate, this antiphon is repeated between the strophes of the following Psalm.

Psalm 24 (23)

The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness, *

the world, and those who dwell in it.

It is he who set it on the seas; *

on the rivers he made it firm.

(The antiphon is repeated)

Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord? *

The clean of hands and pure of heart,

whose soul is not set on vain things, †

who has not sworn deceitful words. *

(The antiphon is repeated)

Blessings from the Lord shall he receive, *

and right reward from the God who saves him.

Such are the people who seek him, *

who seek the face of the God of Jacob.

(The antiphon is repeated)

O gates, lift high your heads; †

grow higher, ancient doors. *

Let him enter, the king of glory!

Who is this king of glory? *

The Lord, the mighty, the valiant;

the Lord, the valiant in war.

(The antiphon is repeated)

O gates, lift high your heads; †

grow higher, ancient doors. *

Let him enter, the king of glory!

Who is this king of glory? *

He, the Lord of hosts,

he is the king of glory.

(The antiphon is repeated)

Antiphon 2

The children of the Hebrews spread their garments on the road,

crying out and saying: Hosanna to the Son of David;

blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

If appropriate, this antiphon is repeated between the strophes of the following Psalm.

Psalm 47 (46)

All peoples, clap your hands. *

Cry to God with shouts of joy!

For the Lord, the Most high, is awesome, *

the great king over all the earth.

(The antiphon is repeated)

He humbles peoples under us *

and nations under our feet.

Our heritage he chose for us, *

the pride of Jacob whom he loves.

God goes up with shouts of joy. *

The Lord goes up with trumpet blast.

(The antiphon is repeated)

Sing praise for God; sing praise! *

Sing praise to our king; sing praise!

God is king of all earth. *

Sing praise with all your skill.

(The antiphon is repeated)

God reigns over the nations. *

God sits upon his holy throne.

The princes of the peoples are assembled

with the people of the God of Abraham. †

The rulers of the earth belong to God, *

who is greatly exalted.

(The antiphon is repeated)

Hymn to Christ the King

Chorus:

Glory and honor and praise be to you, Christ, King and Redeemer,

to whom young children cried out loving Hosannas with joy.

All repeat: Glory and honor…

Chorus:

Israel’s King are you, King David’s magnificent off spring;

you are the ruler who come blest in the name of the Lord.

All repeat: Glory and honor…

Chorus:

Heavenly hosts on high unite in singing your praises;

men and women on earth and all creation join in.

All repeat: Glory and honor…

Chorus:

Bearing branches of palm, Hebrews came crowding to greet you;

see how with prayers and hymns we come to pay you our vows.

All repeat: Glory and honor…

Chorus:

They offered gifts of praise to you, so near to your Passion;

see how we sing this song now to you reigning on high.

All repeat: Glory and honor…

Chorus:

Those you were pleased to accept; now accept our gifts of devotion,

good and merciful King, lover of all that is good.

All repeat: Glory and honor…

10. As the procession enters the church, there is sung the following responsory or another chant, which should speak of the Lord’s entrance.

R. As the Lord entered the holy city, the children of the Hebrews proclaimed the resurrection of life. * Waving their branches of palm, they cried: Hosanna in the Highest.

V. When the people heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they went out to meet him. * Waving their branches.

11. When the Priest arrives at the altar, he venerates it and, if appropriate, incenses it. Then he goes to the chair, where he puts aside the cope, if he has worn one, and puts on the chasuble. Omitting the other Introductory Rites of the Mass and, if appropriate, the Kyrie (Lord, have mercy), he says the Collect of the Mass, and then continues the Mass in the usual way.

READINGS

FIRST READING (My face I did not shield from buffets and spitting, knowing that I shall not be put to shame.)

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah  (50:4-7)

The Lord God has given me a well-trained tongue, that I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear; and I have not rebelled, have not turned back. I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting.

The Lord God is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame. —The Word of the Lord.

R. Thanks be to God.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM (22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24)

R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? (Ps 22:2a)

All who see me scoff at me; they mock me with parted lips, they wag their heads: “He relied on the Lord; let him deliver him, let him rescue him, if he loves him.” (R)

Indeed, many dogs surround me, a pack of evildoers closes in upon me; they have pierced my hands and my feet; I can count all my bones. (R)

They divide my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots. But you, O Lord, be not far from me; O my help, hasten to aid me. (R)

I will proclaim your name to my brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise you: “You who fear the Lord, praise him; all you descendants of Jacob, give glory to him; revere him, all you descendants of Israel!” (R)

SECOND READING (Christ humbled himself. Because of this, God greatly exalted him.)

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians (2:6-11)

Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. —The Word of the Lord.

R. Thanks be to God.

21. The narrative of the Lord’s Passion is read without candles and without incense, with no greeting or signing of the book. It is read by a Deacon or, if there is no Deacon, by a Priest. It may also be read by readers, with the part of Christ, if possible, reserved to a Priest.

Deacons, but not others, ask for the blessing of the Priest before singing the Passion, as at other times before the Gospel.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Phil 2:8-9)

R. Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Christ became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name. (R)