Holy Week
What does Palm Sunday mean for Catholics? Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, marking the start of Holy Week and reminding Christians of Jesus's humble yet powerful journey towards his crucifixion and ultimate victory over sin and death. It marks the arrival of Christ in Jerusalem just days before His crucifixion and is marked by special traditions and Mass readings. And it prepares us even further for Holy Week, and ultimately, Christ's death and resurrection.
When Jesus Christ entered into Jerusalem palm branches were placed in his path, before his arrest on Holy Thursday and his crucifixion on Good Friday. The use of palm branches on Palm Sunday dates back to the Gospel narratives, where the crowd welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem by laying palm branches on the road before Him. “When the great crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they took palm branches and went out to meet him and cried out: ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the king of Israel'” (Jn 12:12-3).
It marks the beginning of Holy Week, the final week of Lent. There are two Gospels proclaimed at today's Mass. The first Gospel, proclaimed before the procession with palms, tells of Jesus' triumphant entrance into Jerusalem. Riding on a borrowed colt, Jesus was hailed by the crowds as they shouted blessings and praise to God. This event is reported in each of the four Gospels.
As a side note, Jesus is believed to have entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday through the Golden Gate, also known as the Eastern Gate, which is located on the eastern wall of the Temple Mount, directly across from the Kidron Valley and the Mount of Olives.
One of the most visually striking elements of Palm Sunday is the procession. In many parishes, the faithful gather outside the church to receive blessed palms, then proceed inside in a solemn procession, reenacting Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. The Roman Missal notes, “Accordingly, the memorial of this entrance of the Lord takes place at all Masses, by means of the procession or the Solemn entrance before the principal Mass or the Simple Entrance before other Masses.” This procession serves as a physical and spiritual journey, inviting participants to reflect on their own journey with Christ.
The liturgical color for Palm Sunday is red, symbolizing the blood Jesus shed during his Passion. On this day, the red vestments worn by priests and deacons vividly remind us of Jesus’ suffering and sacrifice for our salvation. Historically, red has also been associated with royalty. The Gospels depict Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem as a royal procession. The use of red on Palm Sunday can also be seen as a reflection of Christ’s kingly dignity, despite the path of suffering He was about to endure.
The story of Jesus’ death is a central part of the Palm Sunday liturgy. It recounts the events leading up to the Lord’s crucifixion, from the Last Supper with his disciples to his death on the Cross. Listening to the Passion narrative, the faithful are invited to meditate on the depth of Christ’s love and the reality of human sinfulness.
Palm Sunday offers Catholics a special opportunity for reflection and spiritual renewal. It marks the start of Holy Week, a time to contemplate the mysteries of Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection. The faithful are encouraged to participate fully in the Holy Week services, entering the Paschal Mystery with open hearts and minds.
The Passion narrative also prompts Catholics to examine their own lives. In a Palm Sunday homily, Pope Francis pointed to the characters in the Passion narrative and asked, “Where is my heart? Which of these persons am I like?” As Palm Sunday approaches, Catholics everywhere can embrace the rich traditions and profound symbolism of the feast. By doing so, we deepen our faith, draw closer to Jesus, and prepare ourselves to experience the joy of Easter with renewed hearts.
Throughout Holy Week, we will continue to reflect on the events of Jesus' passion and death. As we meditate on the cross, we ask again and anew what it means to make the statement of faith that Jesus, in his obedient suffering and dying, revealed himself to us as God's Son and brought to fulfillment the Kingdom of God.
—Deacon Gerry Flamm
“Dear children, never forget how great is the love of God. Through that love I am with you. Do not forget how great is His mercy. Through that mercy I am showing you the way to true happiness and perfect peace. That is the way to my Son. Therefore, my children, with complete trust, abandon yourselves to my Son and do not be afraid. Do not be afraid of the future because it belongs entirely to the will of my Son. Therefore, my children, renounce everything that distances you from my Son: false happiness, false hope, false splendor. Trust my Son. Tell Him about your pains, sufferings, desires and hopes. You will feel His love and His blessing. Thank you!”
