di camera, the bussolanti, the Procuratori generali of religious orders, the Procuratori di Collegio, the singers, the clerks of the papal chapel, the cardinal’s caudatarii, the ostiarii, the mace-bearers, some students of the German college, and in fine such noblemen and gentlemen as are admitted on this occasion to receive a palm from His Holiness, who is assisted as usual by two Card. deacons.

During the distribution of the palms, the anthems Pueri Hebraeorum etc. are sung by the choir; and when it is finished, the Pope washes His hands, and says the usual concluding prayer:  the prince stationed at the throne brings the water, and the Cardinal Dean presents the towel to His Holiness.

[Sidenote:  Solemn procession.]

The Pope then puts incense into the thurible for the procession, and the first Card.  Deacon turning towards the people says according to the old formula Let us proceed in peace:  the choir answers, in the name of Christ.  Amen’.  The procession, in which the blessed palms are carried, moves round S. Peter’s, in the following order, which is observed also for the most part on holy thursday and good friday.  The Procuratori di Collegio,[35] Procuratori generali, the Bussolanti, the Ajutanti di Camera, Cappellani comuni and segreti, the Consistorial advocates, the Camerieri d’ onore, and segreti, the singers, the Abbreviatori, Votanti di Segnatura, Cherici di Camera, Uditori di Rota, the Thurifer, (Votante di Segnatura), the Subdeacon (Uditore di Rota) who carries the cross ornamented with a small palm, between two acolythes (Votanti di Segnatura) carrying candles, the Penitenzieri, the mitred abbots, bishops and the Cardinal deacons, priests and bishops all wearing their mitres.[36] The Pope is preceded by many officers of his guards (who go to the throne towards the end of the distribution of palms), the Maestro del S. Ospizio, the Conservatori, Senator and Governor of Rome.  His Holiness is carried on his Sedia gestatoria[37] under a canopy supported by 8 Referendarii (prelates of the tribunal of Segnatura) between the flabelli carried by two of His Camerieri.  He is followed by the dean of the Rota (whose duty it is to bear His mitre) between two camerieri segreti (who as well as two Auditors of the Rota bear His train when occasion requires), by the Uditore della Camera, the Treasurer, Maggiordomo, Protonotaries and Generals of religious orders.

During the procession the choir sings the anthem, Cum appropinquaret etc. When the procession is in the portico, two soprano singers reenter the basilica, and shut the door:  then turning towards the door, they sing the first verse of the hymn Gloria, laus et honor[38] and the other verses alternately with the choir, which remains without.  The subdeacon knocks at the gate with the cross, and it is immediately opened; the procession returns into the church, and the choir sings the concluding anthems.