The idea came to me when I was gathering up the stubs of taper candles that we used for our Easter Vigil.
Palm Sunday in Extraordinary Times
I live in Austin, Texas, where, along with much of the country, I expect to remain under a “Shelter in Place” order during Palm Sunday. What a strange contradiction on a Sunday in which we would ordinarily march around the streets of the church, waving palm branches, and loudly singing, “Hosanna in the highest!”
Preparing for Holy Week at Home
Palm Sunday will be here in just a few short days and I am not ready for it. I’m not ready for Holy Week as a priest, as a parent, or as an individual person trying to follow Christ. And yet, it’s coming.
Parenting: when every day is Palm Sunday
Getting ready for Holy Week, I’m struck, as always, by how jarring the Palm Sunday liturgy is. One minute we’re all shouting “hosanna, hosanna!” (Greek for “save us”) and then the next thing we know, we’re shouting “Crucify him.” It’s emotionally wrenching; hope and expectation give way to fury and fear. No settling in, no probing depths. Our liturgy moves us from place to place, scarcely able to take a breath.
Preparing Children for the Passion
It can be difficult for our children to the stories of Holy Week. Here are some tips for preparing children for the Passion.
As a recovering perfectionist, I know: there’s no perfect way to “do” Holy Week.
This Holy Week, God will be at work in us in ways we cannot yet ask or imagine.
Our Holy Week family traditions vary from year to year.
Hope is the word I’m clinging to during this Lent.
On Palm Sunday: Hey Jesus, won’t you fight for me?
Palm crosses are an outward and visible sign of the triumph of sacrifice and love.
Bringing Easter into Our Home
Taking down old palm crosses, putting up new ones, and making an Easter altar helps our family observe the season.