It is the day when we share in the triumphant entry into Jerusalem by our Lord, where he was welcomed with such honour and glory, hope and joy by the people there.
A wonderful welcome they gave him as he came into their midst.
Today marks the start of the most important week in regards to our faith.
Holy Week is the culmination of the life of Jesus and his teachings.
This is the week that we truly see the range of emotions present in our lives as we go from excitement (Palm Sunday) to the servant hood of Jesus ( Maundy Thursday-Washing of the disciples feet and the Institution of the Eucharist), to despair (Good Friday) and finally absolute happiness in the risen Christ on Easter day.
From Catholic Culture: Holy Week is the pinnacle of Lent. We must instill in our children the importance of Holy Week. "The first efforts of all members of the family, then, will be to readjust their schedules at home in order to enter more fully into worship at their parish church on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening of Holy Week."
"So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" And Jesus found a young ass and sat upon it; as it is written, "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on an ass's colt (Jn 12:13-15)!"
Here is a beautiful tradition that can be done from the palm crosses that we make:
(How we make Palm Crosses each year)
As this is the day of the public homage to the kingship of Christ. The procession in church is an impressive act of loyalty to Christ the King. Christ reigns as king of the Christian home also, and so a family prayer service within the house is a memorable part of this day. After the family meal, the members gather in the living room.
From the palms received at the parish Mass, they prepare small crosses of palm to be pinned above the doorway of each room or woven palms to be placed behind the crucifix in each room.
(Or if your parish does not have palm crosses make them like we do)
Then the father reads the account of Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem from the family Bible (Matt. 21:1-11).
Thereupon the mother, with a lighted candle, may lead a procession from one room to another. As they proceed, all sing "All Glory, Laud and Honor" (the hymn Gloria, laus, which is printed in the Holy Week booklet). Appropriate psalms may also be read aloud during the procession, especially Psalm 147, which is likewise in the Holy Week booklet, and Psalms 23 and 46. During the procession the children joyfully wave their blessed palms.
After the rooms of the house have been visited, all return to the living room. Here the father reads the final prayer of the procession rite used in church today (to be found just before the beginning of Mass in the Holy Week booklet), asking God to bless all the places to which these palms have been carried. The small palm crosses or a woven palm should be kept visible in the home for the rest of the year as a daily reminder of our loyalty to Christ the King.
On Ash Wednesday of the following year it is proper to burn the remaining palms and to sprinkle the ashes on the good earth about the home or in the garden.
( the above activity is from Lent and Holy Week in the Home by Emerson and Arlene Hynes)
Don't forget to change your home altar to red cloths and any other aspects (like chasubles) to reflect the liturgical colour for today
Ideas I had from last year
Palm Sunday in our home 2010
More information for your interest about Palm Sunday
Catholic Culture
Fisheaters
Wikipedia
Blessings to you and your homes,
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