ILOILO City – Churches under the Archdiocese of Jaro are all geared up for the start of Holy Week. The Christian observance begins this Palm Sunday, March 24, which commemorates Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
Reverend Father Angelo Colada, director of the Archdiocese of Jaro’s Social Communication Office, said they are prepared for an expected influx of devotees in churches for the blessing of palm leaves.
“So far ready ang tanan kag well-informed naman mga tawo, especially of our liturgical activities, not just for Palm Sunday but for Holy Week, and expect nga madamo ang mga tawo ang maga-participate sa sini nga Semana Santa,” Colada told Panay News.
The faithful are reminded that the blessing of palms will only be held once on Sunday, and attending the mass is highly encouraged.
What does Palm Sunday symbolize for Roman Catholics?
According to Colada, Palm Sunday is the beginning of the Holy Week, which symbolizes the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ to save everyone from mortal sin.
The palm leaves, or “ramos,” that devotees carry during Palm Sunday are not only believed to protect those who are sick, but they also symbolize everyone’s acceptance of God entering their lives and homes.
“Ang Palm Sunday indi lamang ini pag-start sang Holy Week, but its all about sang entry ni Jesus sa Jerusalem kon sa diin naga-atubang sia sang kasakit kag kamatayon. Ang ramos nga gina-uyatan ginahambal nga nagahatag sang protection, but its our way of gratefulness, kay Jesus nga gina-uyatan naton sia kag gina-welcome sa aton kabuhi kag balay kag handa man kita mag-antos para sa iya,” Colada explained.
On Holy Week, especially on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Black Saturday, and Easter Sunday, Colada highly encourages devotees to find time to attend the religious mass and listen to the liturgy to have a deeper understanding of the sacred observance.
According to Colada, although the church understands that Holy Week is often used as a vacation or family bonding time, everyone should remember that it is not only for the living but is a time devoted to God.
He also does not see anything wrong with the devotees going to Visita Iglesia or pilgrim sites during Holy Week, but they are still encouraged to attend the mass.
“I-try gid naton nga maka-find time to join liturgical celebration para mas maintindihan naton ang kahulogan sang aton sini nga Semana Santa. This is not about us, but God. Tani ma-value kag mahangpan ang external celebration kag mapadalman kon ano ang nagakatabo sa kabuhi sang aton Ginoo ilabi na gid sa iya kasakit, kamatayon, kag pagkabanhaw,” he added.
Meanwhile, the guidelines on kissing or touching religious images are yet to be released by the Archdiocese of Jaro.
Here, Colada assured that the image of Jesus Christ is constantly being disinfected.
During the coronavirus disease pandemic, the Archdiocese of Jaro prohibited the kissing of religious images, and only the wiping of the handkerchief, touching, and offering a brief prayer were allowed as precautionary measures.
Colada said it depends on the devotees, but the important thing is worshiping and praying from the heart./PN
