MANGALURU: The Palm Sunday celebrations across churches in Dakshina Kannada marked the beginning of Holy Week on Sunday. Special prayer services were held and attended by a large number of the faithful.
A unique ritual of Palm Sunday is a procession where devotees hold palm leaves to commemorate Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem. This was held at the beginning of the Holy Mass in every church. At Our Lady of Rosary Cathedral, Most Rev Peter Paul Saldanha was the main celebrant and gave the sermon. During his sermon, Bishop Saldanha spoke of a donkey, which plays a dominant character during the Palm Sunday celebrations, as mentioned in the Holy Bible.
“There is a saying that those eager to gain knowledge can do so even by observing a buffalo. But in today’s celebrations, it is a humble donkey. Usually, a donkey is used as part of peace celebrations and not taken to war. During Palm Sunday, it became a vehicle of peace. Secondly, Jesus chose this as a symbol of purity and humility. It also stresses freedom from sins and obedience. Lastly, it also points out that everyone has a share in Christ’s mission,” Bishop Saldanha told the gathering.
The Easter celebrations commence with Palm Sunday, marking the beginning of Holy Week. The sacred period continues with Maundy Thursday, during which priests perform the ritual of washing the feet of individuals from diverse backgrounds. The observance proceeds with Good Friday, a solemn day remembering the Crucifixion and death of Jesus, followed by Holy Saturday, and culminates with Easter Sunday celebrations.
The Holy Week celebrations are held outdoors in most city and urban churches, and there is a forecast of light showers disrupting prayers, said a parish priest.
