Q: Last year on Palm Sunday they read two Gospel passages: Jesus' entry into Jerusalem and then the Passion. As a child, I remember only the entry into Jerusalem story being read on Palm Sunday. Did the Church move the Passion account to Sunday to make sure more people heard it?A: There is a Passion account in each Gospel. For centuries, the Gospel of John's account was read on Good Friday and the Gospel of Matthew was read on Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday now). So that all accounts are read, since 1969 the Catholic Church reads on Palm Sunday in rotation: Matthew (Year A—2002), Mark (Year B) and Luke (Year C). The accounts of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem are read in the same rotation.
In fact, in the pre VCII Church, the Passion account was also read on Palm Sunday and we all stood for its reading. My mother always referred to Palm Sunday as having the longest Mass of the year. I notice, however, in the response that the writer refers to Palm Sunday as Passion Sunday. Is that true? Indeed, I did notice the Holy Father vested in red, which would make sense.
Perhaps, as someone commented, there is no Mass on Good Friday in the Latin Church. We have the Liturgy of the Signing of the Chalice in the morning (The Anaphora of the Apostles also known as III Peter and by the Syriac word Sharrar, which the Maronite Church shares in common with the Church of Edessa, is the oldest Anaphora in the Catholic Church).
Yesterday, we celebrated Hosanna (Shaneeneh) Sunday with the blessing of the palms and a procession down the street, singing Hosanna in the Highest! The Church was packed - children were dressed in their finest clothes - little girls in gowns, boys in suits and ties - all carrying candles festooned with flowers and palms. Thursday of the Mysteries is the Liturgy and Washing of the Feet. On Friday evening, we will celebrate Great Friday of the Crucifixion with the Liturgy of the Burial of the Lord in the evening.
These all seem to follow the historical sequence of events. Out of curiosity, I have pinged redhead to understand how the Byzantines celebrated yesterday and Kolokotronis for some insight into how the GOC celebrate Holy Week.
The Eastern churches have some wonderful traditions. There is a Byzantine Catholic church in a nearby town, but I have never looked into it before.
My parents once were on vacation and found a Maronite church. They had to call me on the phone, since I am supposed to be their “church expert.” I told them, yes, they are Catholic, and they’re Lebanese, and Danny Thomas, etc. etc. etc.
My dad’s boss is Lebanese and he described seeing all the old guys walking into church as an interesting experience, since he saw about a hundred or so guys who all looked like his boss walking into church.
I’ve never seen a Maronite liturgy, but for my parents, who are used to what they are familiar with, and happy with their little routine, they were a little bit freaked out.
I’m not answering your original question. My parish always reads one Gospel passage (Jesus’ entry...) before the palm/blessing procession. Then, during the Gospel the Passion is read (standing). I don’t recall it ever being any different. I’ve always thought of Palm Sunday as the longest Mass of the year, other than the Easter Vigil which is different than Easter Sunday Mass.