Preparations before mass

Place a table with white cloth, palms & palm crosses at the Outdoor Shrine (preferably covered with the cloth, held down with stones)

The processional cross is UNVEILED with the palms attached

"Ox Blood" red chasuble and maniple are set on the choir stall

Have ready the aspersorium (to carry outdoors, or already with the palms outside)

Today would warrant a verger and a tunicled crucifer, if possible (even with an acolyte in service)

Order of Service

Process from the sacristy to the Outdoor Shrine – A few minutes beforehand, a deacon may want to remind those in the church that today’s liturgy begins outside

Servers array themselves in processional order in “the octagon”

Celebrant’s opening address

+ Salutation

Opening Collect

Blessing of incense

Blessing of the deacon                 

Censing the palm Gospel book

Deacon intones the Palm Gospel (NB- different intro) while the acolyte holds the book

Blessing of palms 

• Prayer of blessing over the branches

• Blessing of incense

• 3 aspersions of holy water

• 3 swings of the thurible

People receive blessed palms from ushers-- chanting of an appropriate psalm from DWM or graduale

• MC will need to cue choir when to begin 

• Blessed palms are kissed as received

• MCs hand palms to ushers to help distribute palms/take palm crosses to narthex

• Attach a blessed palm to the processional cross

• Charge thurible and form usual entrance procession

 All Glory Laud & Honor – may sing another hymn first if necessary

• Sing through the hymn while outdoors in procession

• Ushers should be ready to open the front doors

• Choir goes directly upstairs upon entering the church

• Sing through the hymn again indoors with the organ