Cardinal Tagle to lead Palm Sunday mass in Manila

MANILA Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle is set to usher the observance of the Holy Week in the country by celebrating the Palm Sunday mass at the San Fernando de Dilao Parish in Paco, Manila.

Based on the announcement at the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila (RCAM) website, Tagle is set to celebrate the Holy Eucharist at 7 a.m., Sunday.

After the mass, Tagle is expected to bless the palm leaves being carried and waved by the churchgoers as part of the Catholic tradition.

Palm Sunday recalls the time of Jesus' entry to Jerusalem while riding a donkey with the people welcoming him by laying down their clothes and small tree branches in His path.

It also marks the start of the Holy Week observance for the Catholic faithful and is culminated by the celebration of Easter Sunday next week.

And according to the RCAM, the faithful should already expect images of saints, Jesus and Mary be covered as dictated by the Church’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy.

In a circular, RCAM Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission Director Fr. Genaro Diwa noted that covering of images must be done on the Fifth Sunday of Lent or the week before Palm Sunday.

"If the altar cross will not be the cross to be used for the Good Friday Veneration of the Cross, it should be covered. In that case, the processional cross must be placed beside the altar," said Diwa.

On Maundy Thursday, Tagle is also expected to lead the Chrism Mass at 7 a.m. and the Lord's Supper Holy Eucharist at 5:30 p.m.

During the Lord's Supper mass, Diwa noted that the tabernacle should be completely empty before the mass with hosts for the communion of the faithful to be consecrated during that same mass.

The Blessed Sacrament, he added, should be reserved in a closed tabernacle and that under no circumstances may it be exposed in a monstrance.

"The place where the tabernacle is situated must not be made to resemble a tomb, and the expression tomb is to be avoided: for the chapel of repose is not prepared so as to represent the Lord's burial but for the custody of the Eucharistic bread that will be distributed in communion on Good Friday," said Diwa.

At 3 p.m. on Good Friday, Tagle is also expected to lead the Celebration of the Lord's Passion, including the Veneration of the Cross.

The Veneration of the Cross is a ceremony, wherein the faithful lineup to kiss the crucifix.

"Only one cross should be used for the veneration, as this contributes to the full symbolism of the rite," said Diwa.

On Black Saturday, Diwa said the faithful is only expected to meditate on Christ's passion and death while waiting for His resurrection with prayer and fasting.

He also said that an image of Christ lying in the tomb and an image of the sorrowful Virgin Mary can be placed in the church for the veneration of the faithful during the said day.

Tagle is also expected to spearhead the Easter Vigil in the RCAM beginning at 8 p.m. Saturday.

"The entire celebration of the Easter Vigil takes place at night. It should not begin before nightfall; it should end before daybreak on Sunday," said Diwa.

The traditional Salubong follows at 11 p.m., wherein the images of a risen Christ and his mother, Mary, will be processed separately before meeting in a pre-determined area. (HDT/Sunnex)