ILOILO City – This year’s Palm Sunday, which falls on April 13, signals the beginning of the final week of Lent.
According to the Archdiocese of Jaro, this is a time dedicated to the Lord, not for personal pursuits.
Reverend Father Angelo Colada, director of the Archdiocese’s Social Communication Office, said the Holy Week is a sanctified period meant for spiritual reflection and devotion.
“This week should be allocated to the Lord, and our activities should be aligned with this purpose,” he told Panay News.
Father Colada further stressed that every decision during Holy Week should reflect a genuine intention to honor God.
“If we understand why we are breaking from our usual routines, it becomes clear that this time is meant to be devoted to God,” he added.
The archdiocese is encouraging all devotees to observe activities that focus on the true spirit of Lent.
“While it is important to spend time with family, we should also ask ourselves, ‘What activities can we do with our family that bring us closer to God?’ Why not attend mass, engage in Bible sharing, go to confession, or participate in a retreat instead of other activities that might not allow God into our plans?” Father Colada suggested.
Palm Sunday, which commemorates the entry of Christ into Jerusalem before his arrest on Holy Thursday and crucifixion on Good Friday, marks the start of Holy Week. This event is an important reminder for all Catholics to reflect on the significance of the week through prayer and worship, said Colada.
Father Colada also noted that activities like the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross / Stations of the Cross), the Pagtaltal (Passion play), and Visita Iglesia (pilgrimage to churches) during Holy Week are valuable devotions. However, he emphasized that the core of spiritual enrichment lies in deep reflection through church liturgies.
Regarding the Palm Sunday services, Father Colada assured that the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral is prepared for the influx of devotees who wish to attend mass and receive the blessing of the palm fronds. Other churches within the archdiocese may hold their blessings in open spaces to accommodate larger crowds.
He urged all devotees to attend Palm Sunday mass, not out of obligation, but to mark this special moment of spiritual reflection as they enter Holy Week./PN