medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Offertorium – 28
Tyrer gives examples of the form of blessing of palms and the ensuing
procession according to various rites. Let us look at the forms of
blessing first. Of the older Roman rite (11th/12th centuries) he says:
‘Palms, branches of other trees, and flowers are brought to the Chapel
of St Silvester in the Lateran Basilica and blessed by a Cardinal, who
says two prayers, Omnipotens Deus qui antequam and Omnipotens Deus
Christe, the latter being the Blessing proper. This done, some of the
branches are distributed to the laity, and the rest are taken by the
doorkeepers (ostiarii) into the Lateran palace, where the Pope
distributes them to the clergy. The procession follows.’ (p. 53)
We may contrast this very simple service – two prayers – with what went
on in other places, notably [and silently I remove my shoes, for I am
on holy ground] Sarum:
‘The Sarum Benediction of Palms began with a Lesson (Ex. xv. 27-
xvi.10) and a Gospel (John xii. 12-19), the former read by an Acolyte
in an alb, the latter by the Deacon in the same manner as on a Simple
Feast. The Gospel ended, the Priest in a red cope proceeded to bless
the palms and flowers, those intended for the clergy lying on (Sar.
Miss.), or before (Sar. Proc.), the altar, those for the laity on the
altar-step to the south. He began with an Exorcism (Exorcizo te
creatura florum vel frondium), followed by three Prayers... The palms
and flowers were then sprinkled with holy water and censed, and the
priest said a fourth prayer . . . after which the Palms, &c., were
distributed, the choir meanwhile singing the two Antiphons beginning
Pueri Hebraeorum.’ (p. 51)
A similar performance took place at York:
‘At York the first part of the rite was practically the same as at
Sarum, differences only beginning when we come to the actual Blessing.
This was given by the ecclesiastic of highest dignity present who was
vested in stole and white silk cope. As we have seen, he used two
Prayers only . . . The palms were then sprinkled with holy water,
censed and distributed, the choir meanwhile singing the two Antiphons
Pueri Hebraeorum and a third, Hosanna Filio David (Matt. xxi. 9). This
done, the Officiant said a versicle Ex ore lactantium (Ps. vii. 3) and
a Collect (Omnipotens sempiterne Deus qui Dominum nostrum Jesus
Christum die azymorum). (p. 52)
At Cantuar
was something similar:
‘For Canterbury we are, as always, dependent on Cant[erbury]
Ben[edictional] and Lanfranc’s Decreta . . . Both our authorities make
the rite begin with the Sar. Gospel (John xii. 12-19). Then the Abbot
or Priest blesses the palms, &c., before the high altar. Cant. Ben.
prescribes: first, an Exorcism . . . after which the palms are
sprinkled with holy water, while the Antiphon Asperges me . . . is
sung. This is followed by three Collects . . . Next, the palms are
censed during the sing of the Antiphon Domine ad te dirigatur . . .
Then two prayers more . . . and, lastly, a third in form of a
Eucharistic Preface . . . The sacristans now come forward and
distribute the palms to the Abbot and the more honourably persons
present – the flowers &c. to the rest, while, as in other rites, the
choir sings the two Antiphons Pueri Hebraeorum. Finally, the officiant
says the Prayer Omnipotens sempitern Deus . . . as at York.
To express this tersely: Everywhere except in Rome there was a deal of
poncing about. (Ubique, Roma excepta, multa erat Pontificatio).
Bill.
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