Palma to faithful: Nourish your faith

CEBU, Philippines — Catholics are expected to crowd in churches tomorrow for the Palm Sunday, which marks the start of the Holy Week, Masses.

Palm Sunday is a moveable feast that falls on the Sunday before Easter Sunday. It commemorates Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, where he was welcomed by a crowd waving palm branches.

In the Philippines, young coconut leaves are woven into decorative shapes to mimic the palm and olive fronds used in the Bible.

Some Filipinos take home the palm fronds after the Palm Sunday Mass, in the belief that placing these on doors and windows can ward off evil spirits and lightning.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma urged people to participate in different religious activities as to practice and nourish their faith and spirituality.

“On this period of the Holy Week, we always remind people especially here in Cebu, this is a wonderful occasion so that we can deepen more our reflections in the mysteries of our faith and the great love of God,” he told reporters.

Palma invited the Catholic faithful to reflect on God’s sacrifices just to save humanity from sinfulness.

“The Lord, who is ever powerful, does this. This only shows his great love for his people and his great plans for us that us who turned our back from God can return to Him and that we regain our life with Him and as His children,” he said.

He said this marks a great significance to the religious life of every Catholic.

Holy Week ends on Holy Saturday or Black Saturday, March 31.

Holy Week, which is the final week of the Lenten season, is the annual Christian observance commemorating Jesus' last week on earth and the events leading up to his resurrection on Easter Sunday (April 1).

The entire week includes other Christian observances and solemn holidays, namely the Holy Thursday or Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. —KBQ (FREEMAN)