Devotees reminded: Palm fronds not amulets

CEBU, Philippines —  Palm fronds blessed during Palm Sunday are not amulets that should be used to protect houses from bad spirits.

This is the reminder of Fr. Glenn Therese Guanzon, chairperson of the Cebu Archdiocesan Commission on Worship, to Catholic devotees as they have their palm fronds blessed in Church today.

Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday commemorates the entrance of Jesus to Jerusalem when palm branches were placed in his path.

Guanzon said the fronds signify a deeper spiritual meaning.

"The palms are blessed and placed in our houses to welcome Jesus into our homes and not as an anting-anting or amulet to ward off evil spirits," he told The FREEMAN on Saturday.

"It’s called Palm Sunday because of the blessing and procession of palms to welcome Jesus into our communities, homes and lives," Guanzon added.

Local traditions show that people hang the blessed fronds outside their houses, either on windows or walls, with the belief that they can ward bad elements or spirits.

Guanzon said the palm fronds are blessed or consecrated not just for the sake of blessing them with holy water but because they are used during procession, which symbolizes the entry of Jesus to Jerusalem.

Aside from the blessing of palm fronds, another highlight in church today is the reading of the Passion of Jesus during the Mass.

Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem happens before his arrest (on Holy Thursday) and his crucifixion (on Good Friday), thus, it marks the beginning of Holy Week, the final week of the Lenten season.

Palm Sunday falls on the Sunday before Easter, which is one of the important festivities observed in the church calendar as it commemorates the resurrection of Jesus or his victory over death and evil.

Guanzon said it is important for Catholics to participate in these religious activities because the faithful relives Christ's passion and death that redeemed them from sin. —  JMO (FREEMAN)