palm fronds on Palm Sunday

This Palm Sunday it was a joy to see folks around the world get creative with the palm fronds they put up. Unlike the past years, with current COVID-19 restrictions, most of us chose to self isolate and keep safe.

an Old Testament biblical version

Rather than the usual display of store bought fronds or those sold in front of the church to be blessed at the mass celebrating Palm Sunday, we have all come up with our own home made versions.

our local version in Edgewater NJ

In our local tradition most churches distribute palm branches to their congregations during Palm Sunday liturgies.

blessing our family home back in Bacolod

In the Greco-Roman culture of the Roman Empire which strongly influenced Christian tradition the palm branch was a symbol of triumph and victory. 

at a friend's farm on our home island

Congregants line the route, waving their palaspás (ornately woven palm branches) and spreading tapis (traditional woven cloth) to cover the ground, re-enacting Jesus Christ entering Jerusalem.

at a heritage home garden

Following mass and a procession, folks take these blessed palms home where they hang them over altars, windows, or main entrances as symbols of devotion as well as protective talismans.

many other options in other parts of the world

As with much that has changed in our lives with the arrival of this virus, we are adjusting and finding creative ways in which to honor and celebrate age old traditions in new and different ways.

adding red to honor our courageous carers

May the sacred spirit of Holy Week and the coming Easter connect us more fully to the purpose behind why we do what we do in our belief and practice.

another version over in Australia

Forever changed, may we all be better as we transition through these challenging changes. wonder | wander | women wish us all sound health and well being.

another lush tropical option