Palm Sunday in Jerusalem

The procession begins every year from the Franciscan church of Bethphage. At the beginning the participants listen to a reading of the Gospel narrative of Jesus' entry to Jerusalem in the last week of his life. Thereafter, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem blesses the palm and olive branches that the participants hold in their hands.

The procession proceeds slowly and accompanied by songs and the diverse crowd sings in a variety of languages. At the back of the procession the heads of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land march together. This year alongside Patriarch Fouad Twal, there were the Custodian of the Holy Land, Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa and the Papal Nuncio, Msgr. Antonio Franco. Among the other bishops and representatives of various communities there was Father David Neuhaus, the new Patriarchal Vicar for the Hebrew speaking Catholics in Israel, who participated in this role for the first time. The Jerusalem kehilla with Father Apolinary marched alongside all the other communities, singing and dancing too.

The procession ends at the Church of St. Anne in the Old City with the traditional homily of the Patriarch and his blessing of the crowed with a relic of the Cross. At the end it is a real festive celebration with songs and dance.

Photos of the procession and the homily of the Patriarch can be viewed on the site of the Patriarchate: View and read