Palm Sunday and Holy Week

6th Sunday in Lent

THE COLLECT: Almighty and everlasting God, who, of thy tender mercy towards mankind, hast sent thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the Cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility: mercifully grant; that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his Resurrection. Through the same Jesus Christ, thy Son, etc.

THE INTROIT. Psalm 22: Be not thou far from me, O Lord, thou art my succour, hast thee to help me: Save me from the lion’s mouth, thou hast heard me also from among the horns of the unicorns. Ps. 22:1 My God, my God, look upon me, why hast thou forsaken me; and art so far from my health and from the words of my complaint?

¶ The Gloria Patri is not said, but the Antiphon of the Introit is repeated immediately. This practice continues through all of Holy Week.

THE EPISTLE: Philippians 2:5-11 We are to follow the great humility of our Lord who was indeed equal to the Father but He nevertheless became man. Even more, in obedience He accepted even death. For this He is highly exalted by the Father and we must bow our knees before Him.

GRADUAL Ps. 73. Thou hast holden me by my right hand: thou shalt guide me with thy counsel: and after that receive me with glory. Truly God is loving unto Israel, even unto such as are of a clean heart: nevertheless my feet were almost gone, my treadings had well-nigh slipt. And why? I was grieved at the wicked: I do also see the ungodly in such prosperity.

TRACT. PS. 22. My God, my God, look upon me: why hast thou forsaken me: and art so far from my health: and from the words of my complaint? O my God, I cry in the daytime but thou hearest not: and in the night season also I take my rest. But thou continuest holy, O thou Worship of Isra-el. Our fathers hoped in thee: they trusted in thee and thou didst deliver them. They called upon thee and were holpen: they put their trust in thee and were not confounded. But as for me I am a worm and no man: a very scorn of men and the outcast of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out their lips and shake their heads, saying: He trust in God that he would deliver him: let him deliver him if he will have him. They stand staring and looking upon me: they part my garments among them and cast lots upon my vesture. Save me from the lion’s mouth: thou hast heard me also from among the horns of the uni-corns. O praise the Lord, ye that fear him: magnify him, all ye seed of Jacob. They shall be counted unto the Lord for a generation: they shall come and the heavens shall declare his righteousness. Unto a people that shall be born, whom the Lord hath made.

The Passion Gospel: St Matthew 27. Jesus is betrayed by Judas, tortured and beaten by Jews then Romans. Before Pilate, the Jews chose Barabbas a thief and murderer rather than the innocent Jesus to be released as ac-corded with the custom at the Passover. Jesus is forced along the Way of Sorrow, carrying His Cross. At Gogotha He is crucified between two thieves. At the precise instant that all is fulfill, He gives up His life and dies. He is removed from the tomb and laid in a sepulchre.

OFFERTORY. Ps. 69 Thy rebuke hath broken my heart, I am full of heaviness: I looked for some to have pity on me, but there was no man. Neither found I any to comfort me: they gave me gall to eat and when I was thirsty they gave me vinegar to drink.

COMMUNION. St. Matthew 26. O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it: thy will be done.

BENEDICTUS AND MAGNIFICAT ANTIPHONS

AT 1ST VESPERS: Righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, because thou hast sent me.

AT MATINS: The multitudes which came together for the feast day cried unto the Lord: Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord.