THE SOLEMN PROCESSION OF PALMS - The Distribution of Palms

Submitted by Rick.Wheeler on Thu, 2011/04/14 - 12:17pm
PDF version
ID: 
1866
This is part of: 
THE SOLEMN PROCESSION OF PALMS
Original Source
Official Liturgical Book: 
Missale Romanum
Can be Found in
Book: 
Liber Usualis 1961 ed.
Page: 
581

THE DISTRIBUTION OF PALMS

Composition Date: 
Unknown
Composer: 
Unknown
Arrangers / Editors: 
Monks of St. Peter's Abbey, Solesmes
Proper Liturgical Usage: 
Processions
Proper Liturgical Time: 
Dominica in Palmis (Palm Sunday)
Proper Liturgical Day: 
Sunday
Votive: 
F
Performance Time: 
10 -25 min
Texture: 
Monophonic
Voices: 
Unison
Chant solo
Language: 
Latin
Difficulty: 
Easy
Musical Style: 
Gregorian

Parts

10. When the blessing is over, the distribution of palms takes place in accordance with local custom.

11. An acolyte [or server] takes the celebrant's palm from the table and puts it on the credence-table; it will be given to him when the procession begins.

The celebrant goes to the altar with the sacred ministers (or servers) and after making reverence, goes up and kisses it in the middle; then, not taking his own palm-branch, or giving theirs to the ministers [or to the two servers with him], he turns to the people, and, helped by the ministers [or servers], distributes the blessed palms to all the clergy in order of dignity, or to the servers, all kneeling on the altar-step.

He then leaves the altar with his assistants and after making reverence goes to the rails or choir-screen, where he distributes the palms, first to the men, and then to the women.

12. When he begins to distribute the palms, these antiphons and psalms are sung as follows :

Pueri Hebraeórum portántes
Psalm XXIII - Mode I f "Dómini est térra"
Pueri Hebraeórum vestiménta
Psalm XLVI - Mode I f "Omnes géntes"

If these chants are not long enough, they are repeated until the distribution of palms is finished; if, on the other hand, the distribution ends first, the Gloria Patri is sung at once, followed by the antiphon.

When the distribution is ended, the celebrant goes to his place. There, helped by the ministers [or servers], he washes his hands, saying nothing. The table is then taken away.