Palm Sunday  marks the beginning of the most solemn week of the Christian year.

The Mass began with the singing of the Introit as the Altar entered through the West Door, the Priests clothed in red vestments, indicating the sacrificial aspect of the occasion.  At the head of the nave, the Gospel was read and the Palms were blessed. 

As the organ sounded the opening bars of the ancient Palm Sunday hymn, ‘All Glory, laud and honour’, the procession of the faithful, which is obligatory on this day, set out and made a ‘figure of eight’ pattern all around the church.  

The celebrants, taking the place of Jesus, walk empty handed.  The journey, particularly meaningful in an ancient church like All Saints’, marks the footsteps of all those, who throughout the centuries, have worshipped and witnessed before us. 

Upon entering the sanctuary the Principal Celebrant censed the altar and the Mass continued with the Liturgy of the Word.   At the Proclamation of the Holy Gospel, the usual acolytes candles are replaced by Palms.