‘Holy Week 2023 has crucial significance for all of us’ Cardinal Tobin says on Palm Sunday (Photos / Video)
On Palm Sunday, Catholics around the world celebrated the beginning of Holy Week — the most sacred week in the liturgical year.
Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem a week before his crucifixion. As Jesus entered the city, people gathered and laid palm branches and their cloaks across Jesus’ path, shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” It is also significant because it fulfilled Old Testament prophecies – such as Jesus riding into the city on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy found in Zechariah 9:9.
All four Gospels tell us that people cut branches from palm trees and laid them across Jesus’ path and waved them in the air, as palms symbolized victory in the ancient world. So, as the Church enters Holy Week, the faithful use palms to commemorate Jesus’ victory and passion liturgically.
Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, celebrated Palm Sunday Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Ridgewood. The faithful processed in with palms, singing “Hosanna” and then filled the church, which was adorned in red to symbolize the passion of Christ.
In his homily, Cardinal Tobin recognized the difficulties in the world right now and how our trials threaten to disconnect us from each other — and “most importantly, separate us from the love of God.”
“For that reason, I believe Holy Week 2023 has crucial significance for all of us,” Cardinal Tobin said. “The celebration of Holy Week has always been ‘a word of encouragement’ for those who are beaten down by life – concretely, by the cross which is always present in our shared journey. And although some of us have celebrated many Holy Weeks, we still need to watch and pray with Jesus of Nazareth, so as not to despair in the face of a world where death, in all its forms, remains present and threatening. As hard as it is to see him, the God of Life triumphs over death.”
Scroll below for pictures and a video from Palm Sunday Mass celebrated by Cardinal Tobin.
Palm Sunday photos by Julio Eduardo Herrrera.
Featured image: Cardinal Tobin celebrates Palm Sunday Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Ridgewood (Julio Eduardo Herrera).
