Catholics celebrate Palm Sunday rites in PHL

Filipino Catholic devotees had palm fronds blessed before Palm Sunday (April 9) service.

Catholic Holy Week, which begins from Palm Sunday and ends on Easter Sunday, marks the last week of Lent, during which Christians are called on to fast, pray, and give alms to the needy.

The practice of having palm fronds blessed has been passed down for generations in the Philippines as a form of discipleship and in preparation for the Holy Week.

After mass, Filipinos hang the fronds outside their houses, believing that it will ward off evil spirits.

Almost eight out of 10 Filipinos are Catholic. — Reuters