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Showing posts from March, 2012

The Sunday of the Passion - Palm Sunday, 1 April 2012

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The Sunday of the Passion - Palm Sunday, 1 April 2012 Liturgy of the Palms: St. Mark 11:1-11 Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 Liturgy of the Passion Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 31:9-16 Philippians 2:5-11 St. Mark 14:1-15:47                                                                                     Background: Palm Sunday – Passion Sunday This is the last Sunday in Lent, and has been changed both in its character and focus in the years following Vatican II.   There are witnesses to a Palm celebration in Jerusalem in the fourth century.   Here, before the Great Week (Holy Week) pilgrims processed to the Mt. of Olives to procure olive or palm branches.   The Gospel was read and a procession was made back into the city.   The practice was slow to spread.   It was unknown in Rome even in the next century.   In time the heavy procession of Sundays from Pre-Lent, Lent, Passiontide, Holy Week, and the Triduum developed in the West.   In the late 60’s, the liturgical program of Lent and Ho