Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday)

Palm Sunday, also called Passion Sunday, marks the beginning of Holy Week—the most sacred week in the Christian calendar. It commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem and anticipates the suffering that would follow.

The Triumphal Entry

All four Gospels record Jesus' entry into Jerusalem riding on a donkey:

"Those who went in front and those who followed cried out, 'Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!-26 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is coming in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!'" — Mark 11:9-10

The crowds spread their cloaks and palm branches on the road, welcoming Jesus as a king. The word "Hosanna" means "Save us!"—a cry of acclamation and hope.

The Donkey and the King

Jesus' choice of a donkey was deeply symbolic. The prophet Zechariah had written:

"Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King comes to you! He is righteous, and having salvation; lowly, and riding on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey." — Zechariah 9:9

Jesus entered not as a conquering warrior on a warhorse but as a humble, peaceful king. His kingdom would not come through military might but through suffering and sacrifice.

From Hosanna to Crucify

The same crowds who shouted "Hosanna" on Sunday would cry "Crucify him!" by Friday. This stark reversal reveals the fickleness of human hearts and the necessity of a salvation that does not depend on popular acclaim.

The Blessing of Palms

On Palm Sunday, the Church blesses palm branches (or other local branches) and distributes them to the faithful. A procession commemorates Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, with the congregation waving palms and singing hymns.

The blessed palms are kept throughout the year and burned to make the ashes for the following Ash Wednesday—a poignant reminder of the journey from triumph to penitence.

The Passion Reading

The Mass of Palm Sunday includes the reading or chanting of the entire Passion narrative from one of the Synoptic Gospels. This lengthy reading draws us into the events of Jesus' suffering, preparing us for the intensity of Holy Week.

Entering Holy Week

Palm Sunday is a day of contrasts—triumph and tragedy, hosannas and passion, palms and crosses. We enter this holiest of weeks walking with Jesus toward Calvary, knowing that beyond the cross lies resurrection.