Yesterday, we attended the traditional Palm Sunday ceremonies and Mass, with Msgr. Schmitz, ICR, as the main celebrant. If you do not know what “it’s all about”, the following video should give you an idea of the most beautiful ceremony and outdoor procession which take place on this special day within the rite of the TLM. (The video is not of our Palm Sunday celebration, but that of a TLM community in Connecticut.)
What I find especially moving is seeing and hearing the loud “thuds” of the church door being struck three times with the crucifix. We celebrate the triumphant entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem as He is rightfully proclaimed King! But that is not all. More is symbolized in this action. From inside the church penetrate the harmonious strains of Gregorian chant being sung by the schola. Heaven, heretofore closed, is now being opened with the key of the cross of our Lord and Savior! We are now permitted entrance into the Heavenly Jerusalem where Christ reigns as our eternal King!
You’ll notice that TLM communities have no shortage of altar boys, and as is typical, no shortage of children and young people.
Hi, Jeanine!
I’m back on the keyboard after a few days away from this computer. What a glorious Mass it was this beautiful, sunny, Easter morn! I cannot imagine what life would be for me without my Catholic faith.
I am still learning, also. Even though we have been attending the TLM for years, this year was only the second time we experienced the closed doors, and the knocks. The other places we had attended in the past didn’t do this. I suppose it is optional.
God is good. We, too, feel blessed to be able to approach the ICRSS priests for our spiritual needs. I just wish their presence would be a little closer to home!
God bless!
I appreciated your Palm Sunday video. I was far enough back in the procession at our Palm Sunday mass to have not been able to witness the three knocks on the door and will be attending closer to the front of the church next year. I did not know about the sense of opening the gates to heaven and will be mindful of it when I go to future Palm Sunday masses. Our FSSP Parish in Seattle has offered masses on Monday Tuesday and Wednesday this year at the former Saint Edward seminary. We are so fortunate!
May God bless us all!
Jeanine
Hi, Jeremy!
I’ll have to tell you a funny. I was so intent in soaking up every bit of the grace of every moment, praying as if this were to be my last Palm Sunday… Literally, I was in another world.
Well, when the distribution of palms began, I most prayerfully lined up, worked hard at avoiding every distraction, knelt at the Communion rail, remembered to kiss the palm, then the hand of Msgr. Schimtz…….Then I left, forgetting to take the palm I had gone to receive!
My son happened to be right behind me, so he took both his and mine.
I had what the Sisters call, a “Carmelite moment”!
God bless you and yours!
We were able to experience this at Mass yesterday as well, what a great way to start Holy Week!