Monday, April 06, 2009

Palm Sunday Rites According to the Missal of Braga

It was mentioned a bit ago that Palm Sunday at Holy Name in Providence, Rhode Island was being offered according to the Missal of Braga. Some photos were sent the NLM's way this morning, but I wanted to accompany them with some descriptions of the Palm Sunday rites in the Bragan rite from Archdale King's, The Liturgies of the Primatial Sees. I have chosen to limit myself primarily to what is being shown within the photos that were available.

"...the high altar is vested in purple, with the statues uncovered until after the procession, when the altar and statues are covered again as before. A cope is worn by the celebrant, and dalmatics by the assistant ministers; while the two thurifers, crucifer and taperers have girdled albs and dalmatics."

"...a table was set in the middle of the nave, with a white cloth and two candles.... the palms are sprinkled and censed..."









"Outside... is sung: Ave, Rex Noster, Fili David, Redemptor Mundi... The first words are repeated three times and three genuflections are made while the celebrant scatters leaves of blessed olive... The ceremony of Ave, Rex Noster was found in most churches which followed Franco-Roman customs, and it exists today in the Cistercian, Premonstratensian, Carmelite and Dominican rites. We find it at Cluny, from whence it may have come to Braga..."





"At the conclusion of the antiphon, Gloria, laus, et honor is sung... the celebrant strikes the doors with the end of the processional cross, as he says, Attolite portas, principes vestras: et elevamini portae aeternales, et introibit Rex gloriae. From within the church the choir respond: Quis est iste Rex gloriae? To which the celebrants answers, Dominus fortis et potens. This is repeated three times, but on the second occasion the celebrant says: Dominus potens in proelio, and on the third: Dominus virtutum ipse est Rex gloriae. The ceremony was common in France in the 11th century, and many examples of its use are given..."



"The procession enters the church singing the responsory Ingrediente, followed by the verse Cumque audissent: the organ peals out, and the Lenten veil is drawn back. The sacred ministers then go to the sacristy to vest for Mass: the deacon and subdeacon exchanging dalmatics for folded chasubles, with a second subdeacon similarly vested to carry the processional cross. The thurifer and taperers have girded albs, without dalmatics. Mass follows."

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