The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-06
PALM SUNDAY.

The First Sunday of Holy Week-Its
Specification and Importance as a
Notwithstanding and Distributing the
Palms-OriSin of the Hymn Sung I'm
the Procession.
The Christian Church has wisely consecrated
various parts OF the year to the commemoratIon
of those mysteries which are believed to form the
objects OF religious faith and the basis Of religious
hope. From the days OF the Apostles the devout
OF every nation assemble to celebrate these solemni
ties without which Jesus Christ and the grand re-
suit of HIS life and abors would be easily forgotten.
All that is to be seen and heard during the en-
suing week in the churches OF this city will be both
mysterious and important on this account. The
ceremonies will be peculiar, distinct ana
different from those OF other festivals, and
will, therefore, require an increased ap-
plication from the religious, with redoubled
assiduity and love. At this time baptism
is solemny administered. sinners are reconciled,
p RESTS are ordained. the Paschal communion is
distributed and the Church blesses and reneys the
materials that suoserve to her great mysteries
renders her fruitful, the incense which IS to burn
before her affairs, the oils that are destined TO
sanctify her sacred temples, anoint her sick mem.
bers and consecrate her ministers into holy and
royal priesthood. Hence the most solemn and i'm
portant Of religious seasons is ushered In to-day
IN the advent OF
the first day OF Holy Week, judiciOusy set apart for
the solemnzation OF the passion and resurrection
OF the Saviour God. The Church commentaries
Palm Sunday In honor of Chrsts triumphant entry
into the city OF Jerusalem in q humble garb, rid
ing upon an ass, when dense multitude met
and welcomed the Lord, bearing in their hands
palm and olive branches as testimony OF their
applause, at the same time crying out, "Hosanna
to the Son OF David Blessed is lie that comes In
the name Of our Lord"
To this effect have the festival, the bcnediction
and the procession OF palms been instituted, and
this particular day appointed for Its annual com.
memoration in sucn manner that IL IS not only
represented but In a certain measure renewed by
the faithful. But in hor ceremonies to-day the
Church does not 30 much intend to commemorate
the past as to portcnd the future, which is the
glorious entry Of the Redeemer ana His elect into
The Church blesses the palms before distributing
them to the faithful, because she IS wont TO conse
crate by prayer and blessing sacred things and
churches where the ceremonies are carried out
fully procession Of oficlating ecclesiastlcs Is
generally formed after the distribution OF the
kissing the palms and the priests hand.
The procession represents Christ's entry into
Jerusalem. The hymn; Gloria, Laus ct Honor"
which Is sung when the procession reaches the
door Of the church is commonly attributed to Theo-
dolphus, Abbot OF Feury. afterwards Bishop OF Or
leans, In the ninth century. 1t Is said that ne
composed 1t at Anglers, where he was imprisoned
as an accompce In conspiracy formed by the
sons Of the Emperor Louis the Mild against their
father, and that he sung IL while Louis was passing
the prison assisting at the procession OF Palm sun
day. As IL greatly pleased the Emperor ne Oh.
tanned his pardon, liberty and the favor Oh tna.
Prince. The hymn Is preserved on account ol lts
appropriateness to the ceremonies OF tue uhy. ~
all the Catholic and most OF the Episcopal cnurcnes
OF this city to-day the ceremonies and celeDraton
OF this great festival Will be duly pcrlormea az,
IN TO ,ae liturgy o. eac The Churches Of the
| Pausts, ST. Francis Xavier anu 81 Ann Episeo
| pal cnurcn,