Expert: Tom Schott - 3/29/2010

Question
Hi Tom,

I just have a question about some of the catholic traditions surrounding holy week. I am new to the church and taking classes in the RCIA program.

During mass today (palm sunday) I noticed everyone carrying what looked like a long blade of grass? Can you explain why this is done and the symbolism behind it - also, are there any more suprises I can expect as holy week celebrations continue?

Thanks,

Tyler

Answer
Hi, Tyler. Congratulations on your coming entry into the church.

Today was previously called "Palm Sunday," and you heard in one gospel that Jesus was welcomed into Jerusalem by crowds waving palm branches. What you saw today was a symbolic representation of that entry. The people you saw I presume were carrying palm fronds.

Other possible surprises for you:

==priest will wash the feet of 12 people on Holy Thursday
==procession of the Eucharist and nightly vigil before the Blessed Sacrament
==no mass on Friday
==public veneration of the cross on Friday

I will not tell you anything about the Easter Vigil so as to not reveal its special character in advance of your coming into the the Church.