03/26/2026
Palm Sunday Liturgy Notes
By Fr. Zachary Braddock
On Palm Sunday, the Mass is preceded by the Liturgy of the Palms. The Liturgy of the Palms takes the form of a “Missa Sicca” or Dry Mass, that is, it is structured like the Mass itself, with its own collect, Epistle, Gospel, Preface, and Sanctus. This is the third of the four solemn blessings of the Church year, the others being Candles on Candlemas, Ashes on Ash Wednesday, and the Paschal Candle during the Exsultet on Holy Saturday, and it is the only one of the four which takes the shape of the Missa Sioxca.
We begin the liturgy in silence, processing to the altar. The choir sings the antiphon “Hosanna, Filio David,” and then two lessons are read, one from Exodus and one from Matthew. Then a prayer is said mirroring the Mass Offertory, which leads to the Sursum Corda, a prayer mirroring the Mass Preface, and the Sanctus (which we sing at this point according to Merbecke). There are five prayers for the blessing of the Palms, after which the palms are sprinkled with Holy Water and censed with incense. The people then receive their palms, kneeling at the altar rail as though to receive Holy Communion. It is customary to kiss the palm upon receiving it. At Epiphany, we have also the custom of distributing palms which have been folded into the shape of a cross. This is done by an acolyte, who follows the ministers distributing the palm branches.
After the Palms have been distributed, we process out of the Church to the hymn, “All Glory, Laud, and Honor,” and circumambulate the Church, returning to the door. The Subdeacon strikes the door three times, and then procession reenters the Church to the hymn “Ride On, Ride On, In Majesty!” concluding the Liturgy of the Palms.
The Mass of Palm Sunday is a normal mass for the most part, with the Exception of the Gospel. Instead of the normal way of proclaiming the Gospel, during Holy Week (except Maundy Thursday) the Passion is sung according to a special tone, and may be sung by multiple people. Incense and candles are not used at the Passion. The congregation may stand and hold their palms for the Gospel. After the line “yielded up the Ghost,” all kneel for a time, about the length of time required to say the Lord’s prayer, as at Stations of the Cross. The rest of the Gospel narrative is sung to the usual tone.
On Palm Sunday, we cease using the Seasonal Prayers for Lent, and have one Collect, Secret, and Post-Communion.
