Palm Sunday Definition and SummaryPalm Sunday is the Sunday that begins Holy Week. Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Palm Sunday falls on April 13th in 2014 (dates in other years). Prayer: Palm Sunday Prayer Basic Facts About Palm Sunday
Introduction
Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion (the full name), the first Sunday of Holy Week within the Lenten Season, commemorates Jesus' entry into Jerusalem preceding his passion. As he entered, the people of Jerusalem recognized him 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. Traditionally the Gloria Laus (i.e. All Glory Laud and Honor), written by Theodulf of Orleans, is sung. Many times the worship service contains a "preaching of the passion," where different events in the last days of Christ are read publicly within the Eucharistic service. In modern Catholic services, the priest and/or a combination of readers read aloud Matthew 26:14-27:66 (Year A), Mark 14:1—15:47 (Year B), or Luke 22:14-23:56 (Year C). 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. HistoryThe 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. Many denominations, including Lutherans, Methodists, and Presbyterians celebrate Palm Sunday, in addition to Catholics and Eastern Christians. In most churches, the ashes for Ash Wednesday are derived from burned palms, left over from Palm Sunday liturgies. A Holy Week Video Card From UsWorship and Prayer Resources
Passion Sermon III by Pope St. Leo Palm Sunday Art, Photos, and Images
More Liturgical Artwork Palm Sunday, Lent and Church Year Books
Traditions and SymbolsTraditions Symbols Palm Sunday Games and Educational MaterialsLent Crossword Puzzle (html) Frequently Asked QuestionsCOMING SOON! General Links"Holy Week" from the Catholic Encyclopedia About and ContactTo learn more about us, click here. If you have any suggestions or information you would like to add to our Church Year. Net pages, please contact us. This page written by David Bennett. Last updated 03-23-2013. | ||
|
Report Offensive Ad Privacy Policy
Our Blog |
-1304-06-large.jpg)
