March 29, 2026 · Liturgical Color: Red
Palm Sunday 🌿
Hosanna in the highest! Jesus enters Jerusalem as King — and the most sacred week of the year begins.
Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!
— Matthew 21:9
🌿What is Palm Sunday?
Palm Sunday — also called Passion Sunday — marks the beginning of Holy Week. It commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, when crowds spread their cloaks and palm branches on the road, shouting “Hosanna!” (Matthew 21:1-11).
The Mass begins with great joy — the blessing and distribution of palms, followed by a procession re-enacting Jesus' entry. But then the mood shifts dramatically to the reading of the full Passion narrative (from Matthew, Mark, or Luke, depending on the liturgical year). This contrast is intentional: the same crowd that shouted “Hosanna!” would soon cry “Crucify him!”
The liturgical color is red, symbolizing the blood of Christ's Passion and the fire of the Holy Spirit.
🏠What to Do with Blessed Palms
✅ Keep them in your home
Place behind a crucifix, religious image, or holy water font. They are sacramentals — sacred reminders of Christ's triumph.
✅ Make palm crosses
A beautiful folk tradition. Fold the palm into a cross shape. Many parishes offer instructions or YouTube tutorials abound.
✅ Never throw them away
Blessed palms should be treated with reverence. Return them to church the following year to be burned for Ash Wednesday ashes.
✅ Give them to the homebound
Bring blessed palms to elderly or sick parishioners who couldn't attend Mass — a beautiful act of charity.
🙏 Palm Sunday Prayer
Almighty ever-living God, sanctify these branches with your blessing, that we who follow Christ the King in exultation may reach the eternal Jerusalem through Him. Help us to welcome Christ not only with our lips but with our lives — not only on this day of triumph but through the darkness of the days ahead. May we who shout “Hosanna” today never cry “Crucify” through our sins. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
📅 Holy Week Guide
Day-by-day through Holy Week
✝️ Good Friday
Seven Last Words & Veneration
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