The two halves of this day's title belong together. Egeria's fourth-century account of the liturgy in Jerusalem already describes the faithful walking down the Mount of Olives with branches, and the Roman liturgy joined that memory to the reading of the Passion that had long marked the beginning of Holy Week. The Church therefore acclaims Christ as king and hears within the same liturgy how that kingship was exercised on the Cross. The Missal gives three forms for the commemoration of the Lord's entrance: the Procession, in which the people gather away from the church, branches of palm or olive are blessed, the Gospel of the entrance into Jerusalem is proclaimed, and all move to the church singing the antiphon "Hosanna to the Son of David"; the Solemn Entrance, used when a procession outside is not possible; and the Simple Entrance at other Masses. Red vestments are worn, the color of both martyrdom and royal triumph. At the Liturgy of the Word the first reading is the third Song of the Suffering Servant and the second is Paul's hymn of Christ who emptied himself and was obedient unto death. The Passion is then proclaimed according to Matthew in Year A, Mark in Year B, and Luke in Year C; it may be read by deacons or priests, or by readers with the part of Christ reserved to a priest, and all kneel and keep silence for a moment at the words recording the Lord's death. Palms blessed on this day are sacramentals: the Directory on Popular Piety notes the custom of keeping them in the home as a witness of faith in Christ the King, and they are burned the following year to provide the ashes of Ash Wednesday.

Liturgical season

Lent

• Isaiah 50:4-7
• Philippians 2:6-11
• Matthew 26:14—27:66 (Year A)
• Mark 14:1—15:47 (Year B)
• Luke 22:14—23:56 (Year C)

liturgical_season