Blessing of palms should usher in Holy Week spent with family, God — priest

Waving of palaspas or palm fronds has been a part of the Filipino Catholic Church’s tradition during Palm Sunday. But what does it signify and how should it be observed?

Commemorating the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem, Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week.

Missionary Dominican priest Fr. Paul Reagan Talavera O.P. said a Eucharistic celebration during Palm Sunday begins with the blessing of palm fronds.

“They usually start it with the blessing of the palms in a place separate from the church, usually sa labas (outside). And then yung reading diyan, yung pagpasok ni Kristo sa Jerusalem (then, the reading is about Jesus Christ’s entry to Jerusalem),” Talavera told GMA News Online.

During His entry, the Jews placed palms and cloaks on Jesus Christ’s pathway.

Talavera said the palm symbolizes peace and victory.

“Kasi kapag sa kanila, sa kultura nila, when a victor comes home, a hero comes home, nagwawagayway sila ng mga dahon. So, it is a sign of victory, at the same time a sign of peace,” Talavera said.

(In their culture, when a victor or hero comes home they wave palms. So, it is a sign of victory at the same time a sign of peace.)

The palm fronds also symbolize the beginning as after these are burned, the ashes are used during Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of the season of Lent.

With Jesus Christ, the palm fronds also remind Catholics of His Passion, Death, and Resurrection.

However, Talavera observed that some Filipino Catholics use palm fronds to ward off aswang or evil spirits, thunder, or possessed people.

“Sa Pilipinas, parang may mga superstitious belief tayo sa palaspas. Hindi natin siya nakikita as a sacramental na na bless ng pari (In the Philippines, we have a superstitious belief in the palm fronds. We don’t see it as a sacramental item blessed by the priest),” Talavera said.

“Masyadong nagiging superstitious yung belief natin na nawawala na yung totoong meaning nung palaspas (our beliefs have been superstitious that we lose the true meaning of the palm fronds),” Talavera said.

Although there is nothing wrong with putting palm fronds on the doors and windows, Talavera said it should be done to express the Catholic faith.

“It should be more of they acknowledge that it is Christ who saves them, that it is an acknowledgment of the sacrifice of Christ,” Talavera said.

He added that the palm fronds can also be put on the altar beside the cross.

The Dominican priest called on the clergy and fellow Catholics for more efforts in Cathecism.

“Itong mga bagay na material tumutulong sa atin upang mapalalim yung pananampalataya. Hindi siya nagiging replacement para sa Panginoon,” Talavera said.

“Unti-unti dapat nawawala yung paniniwala natin doon sa mga pamahiin. Kasi basically, our faith should be anchored on Christ and not on material things,” he added.

(These material things help us with our faith, not to become a replacement of God. The superstitions should be gone because basically, our faith should be anchored on Christ and not on material things.)

To save humanity, not take lives

Palm Sunday is also called Passion Sunday since during this time, the whole passion of Jesus Christ is being read.

“We read the whole passion narrative na mayroon pang dramatization or mayroong mga voices. So makikita mo doon parang (you will see the) bird's eye view of what will happen for the whole celebration of Holy Week,” Talavera said.

During Jesus Christ’s entry to Jerusalem, the people shouted “Hosanna to the Son of David” as they were expecting the king and their savior from the Romans.

He was also riding a donkey, which symbolizes humility since it is an animal of labor.

“Yung pagpasok ni Kristo sa (Jesus Christ’s entry to) Jerusalem; it's not someone who is there to engage in a battle or a war. It is a different kind of Messiah,” Talavera said.

“He entered Jerusalem in order to offer his life. Not to take life, but to offer his life, to give life for everyone,” he added.

To maintain the sanctity of Lent, particularly the Holy Week, Talavera urged Catholics to be physically present in the Eucharistic celebrations.

“You have to be physically present inside the church because the church is the place designated for that. Kaya nga simbahan, parang puok dalanginan ang tawag natin (that is why it is called the church, a place where we can pray),” Talavera said.

However, the Dominican priest said there is no harm in attending online Masses as long as they are prepared to receive the sacrament and they give their undivided attention to the celebration.

Find time to rest with God

Talavera acknowledged that some people take advantage of the holiday and go on vacation during Holy Week since most of them have no work.

He said there is nothing wrong with that, but he also called on the faithful to allot time with one’s family and with God.

“I hope that during this Holy Week, we spend it with our family and we spend it with God. We try to find time to rest with God and to journey with Jesus during his passion, his death,” Talavera said.

He also reminded Catholics not to miss celebrating Easter Sunday.

“Kumbaga, namatay ka kasama ni Kristo, kailangan mabuhay ka rin kasama ni Kristo. So, tapusin natin hanggang Easter. We celebrate Easter Sunday,” Talavera said.

(As we commemorate Jesus Christ’s death, we also need to commemorate his resurrection. So, we need to finish it until Easter. We celebrate Easter Sunday.)

This year Palm Sunday is observed on April 13. This will be followed by Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.

Easter Sunday will be celebrated on April 20, 2025. — BAP, GMA Integrated News