The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-04-13

received the title of Holy Week. The first day
of this notable season. which begins tomorrow,
il known as Palm Sunday, because it is the
day on which is commemorated the entrance
of our Saviour into Jerusalem just previous to
His crueiaxion, when, as will be remembered,
the people went forth to meet Him, bearing
palm leaves in their hands, and crying Ho-
sanna. The ceremonies peculiar to the day
had their origin at an early period in the his
tory of the Church, and although they have
fallen into disuse in Protestant countries since
the Reformation, they are still maintained in
those which acknowledge the supremacy of
the Pope of Rome in all things spiritual.
It's Usual Observance.
As the palm tree is unknown in the greater
part of Europe, it was necessary to find sub
stitute for this peculiar emblem, use to
which branches of willow, yew, or box were
put, according to the circumstances. These
branches were blessed by the priests immedi-
ately after mass, and were then distri-
buted among the people, by whom they
were carried about with great reioicings,
in imitation of the triumphant entrance of
Christ into Jerusalem. They were then
gathered together and burned the ashes
being carefully put aside by the priests, to be
sprinkled on the heads of the people on Ash
Wednesday of the following year.
It's Observance In England Before the
Reformation.
Previous to the Reformation, the ceremonies
observed in England were somewhat as fol-
lows:-The branches and flowers which had
been collected for the use of the priests were
placed on the high altar, while those intended
for the common people were deposited on the
south step. They were then consecrated by
priest, attired in ared cope. For fear that the
Evil One, orsome of his baleful influences, might
purpOsely be lurking among the branches, the
officiating priest commenced the ceremony by
exclaiming, in the name of the Trinity, 81
cOniure thee, thou creature of flowers and
branches" Making the sign of the cross, he
them commenced the prayer -" We humbly
beseech Thee that Thy truth may sanctify this
creature of flowers and branches, and slips of
of palm, which we offer" The objects of
these impressive ceremonials were then placed
in the fumes of frankincense, and, after fur
ther prayers, were sprinkled with holy water.
They were then distributed among the people,
who started in procession, led by two priests,
each of whom bore crucifx. After passing
through the town. the procession returned
to the Church. and attended the performance
of mass, the priest partaking of the Holy
Sacrament. The ceremonies were closed with
the offering by the. people, at the altar of the
consecrated branches and flowers.
At times their celebration was accompanied
by a ceremony which partoOk very much of a
sacrilegious character. wooden image
representing the Saviour mounted on an ass
was dragged through the Streets after one o
the priests had proclaimed the meaning of tn,
symbol, and recited the circumstances of tn
great event which it was intended to CONNIE
morate. Two priests preceded the image
chanting psalms, the multitude following witt
great shouts, and casting on the ground thei
tWigs frequently in such numbers that tn
image could with difficulty be drawn along
After it had passed, the branches wer
eagerly gathered up by the people, b
whom they were believed to be a sure proteC
tion against storms and lightning during tn
following year.
So universal was the observ ance of this da
in England, that saying came into commo
repute, to the effect that he who did not hav
in his hand a palm on Palm Sunday woul
have his hand cut off. Unfortunately how
ever, for the truth of this saying, the chron
clers have recorded no instance in which tn
dread alternative came to pass. There wer
many peculiar customs connected with tn
observance of the day, in addition to thOs
already described. Thus, cakes were some
times thrown from the church steeple, tn
youngpeople of the parish creating considerabl
merriment on the part of the speota
tors by joining in a rough-and-tu
contention for them. AT later period
seems that an angel was considered a neces
sary portion of the procession, as we find i
the accounts of some of the parishes, durin
the early part Of the sixteenth century, a
item which goes to show that the hire of sue
an acquisition to an earthly procession wa
only eight pence. At subsequent period
was even reduced to half that sum. On th
day, likewise, the priests constructed cross
of palm branches, and having blessed then
disposed of them to the people, by whom the
were considered as preventative OF sickness.
It's Observance at the Present Time
England.
Although many of the ceremonlals pecul
to the ROmish Church were especially torbl
den after the Reformation, Henry III Qua
regard that of bearing palms on Palm sund'
as Objectionable. So, in 1886 he declared IN
the ceremony was one that was not TO be co
temned or dropped, and it was faithfully o
served by the clergy until the reign OF /
successor, Edward vi 1t was then left
the inclination of the people, and soon ceas
to be observed; although until within a Fece
period it was still the custom in sol
sections OF England for the young people to
E'palming'' on the day preceding Palm Su