“And as he rode [into Jerusalem), they spread their garments on the road. As he was now drawing near, at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Luke 19:36-38)

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion (the full name), the first Sunday of Holy Week within the Lenten Season, commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem preceding his passion. As he entered, the people of Jerusalem recognized Jesus as their king, saying “Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Traditionally in the Western Church the Palm Sunday service begins with the “blessing of the palms,” where the palms used in the procession that follows are blessed. It is during this time that the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem is read. Then a procession into the church building follows. If there cannot be a procession from the outside of the church, a solemn entrance, taking place entirely within the church, may be done.

The hymns and psalmody are related to Christ’s office as King.

Palm Sunday is also called Fig Sunday, because figs were traditionally eaten that day, memorializing the fig tree cursed by Christ after his entry into Jerusalem. In England Palm Sunday was called Olive or Branch Sunday, Sallow or Willow, Yew or Blossom Sunday, or Sunday of the Willow Boughs, named for the local replacements for the traditional palm branches. Various customs have developed to celebrate Palm Sunday. In the Slavic countries, the faithful walked through their buildings and fields with the blessed palms, praying and singing ancient hymns. They then laid palm pieces on each plot of ground, in every barn, building, and stable, as a petition was made for protection from weather and disease, and for a blessing upon the produce and property.

The pilgrim Egeria attests to a Palm Sunday procession taking place in the Jerusalem Church at the end of the 4th century. In the Gallican Bobbio Missal of the 8th century we find a reference to blessing of the palms, which symbolize the victory of Christ. The more elaborate celebrations of the Middle Ages have been replaced by simpler services in the Western Church. In most churches, the ashes for Ash Wednesday are derived from burned palms, left over from Palm Sunday liturgies.

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10 COMMENTS

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  2. “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
    (Luke 19:36-38)
    O Lord You are the King of our hearts!!!

  3. We claim back our land (communities, counties, parishes, provinces, countries), our homes (farms, fields, forests, barns, livestock), our bodies and minds and hearts. We reclaim them from the demonic, in the Holy Name of Jesus. In these volatile times, may we cling to our cardinal virtues; faith, hope, charity. That blessings abide in the planting of Spring crops. That weather help, not harm, humble efforts to feed our families and the impoverished. That the love of the Father for the Son, the Holy Spirit, permeates every shadowed corner of every geograhic location and every soul with Christ’s divine light. May that flame ignite many nations toward peace not war. O most Holy Trinity, undivided unity. Holy God, mighty God, God immortal be adored! Amen.

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