Instead of the gospel the passion of Our Lord, taken from the Gospel of St. Matthew (xxvi. , xxvii.), is read during the Mass. At the words, "Bowing His head, He gave up the ghost," the priest and congregation kneel and meditate for a short time on the mysterious event of the accomplishment of our redemption.
At the blessing of the palms the following gospel is said:
GOSPEL. Matt. xxi. 1-9.
At that time: When Jesus drew nigh to Jerusalem, and was come to Bethphage, unto Mount Olivet: then He sent two disciples, saying to them: Go ye into the village that is over against you, and immediately ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them to Me: and if any man shall say anything to you, say ye that the Lord hath need of them, and forthwith he will let them go. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold thy King cometh to thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt, the foal of her that is used to the yoke. And the disciples going, did as Jesus commanded them. And they brought the ass and the colt, and
