The 40 days of the solemn season of Lent come to a close today with the dawn of Palm Sunday, April 5, which begins the observance of Holy Week.
These are the most sacred days in the Church calendar, a time of ritual, prayer and reflection which lead to the celebration of Christ’s resurrection.
Follow us here for the next seven days of Holy Week for scripture passages and information, including times to celebrate Mass virtually with Bishop Robert E. Guglielmone.
April 5, Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday)
“The crowds preceding him and those following kept crying out and saying ‘Hosanna to the Son of David.’” Matthew 21:9
In the Bible, the Gospels describe Jesus’ triumphant arrival in Jerusalem. As Christ rode in on a donkey, people waved palm branches to honor him, which was a customary practice for people of great respect. The use of a donkey instead of a horse is said to represent the humble arrival of someone in peace, as opposed to arriving on a steed, symbolic of war.
Palm Sunday begins the events that lead to Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection.
Parishioners can join the livestream Mass for Palm Sunday / Domingo de Palma, April 5, in English at 11 a.m. and en español a las 12:30 p.m., on facebook.com/DioceseChas and youtube.com/DioceseChas.
