St.

Anthony Shrine
Tel. 617-542-6440 Website: http://www.StAnthonyShrine.org The Good Word Tel. 617-542-0502 Prayer Request Line Tel. 617-533-4100

100 Arch Street, Boston, MA 02110

& Ministry Center

Sunday, April 13 Saturday, April 19, 2014

WHATS HAPPENING THIS WEEK APRIL

Welcome to the St. Anthony Shrine Community. All are welcome here. No one is excluded. Please take this bulletin home with you as well as the many brochures that advertise the programs and services of the Shrine. Thank you for being with us today. Franciscan friars and staff St. Anthony Shrine community
Is 42:1-7; Ps 27:1-3, 13-14; Jn 12:1-11 Is 49:1-6; Ps 71:1-6, 15, 17; Jn 13:21-33, 36-38 Wednesday: Is 50:4-9a; Ps 69:8-10, 21-22, 31, 33-34; Mt 26:14-25 Thursday: Chrism Mass: Is 61:1-3ab, 6a, 8b-9; Ps 89:21-22, 25, 27; Rv 1:5-8; Lk 4:16-21 Lords Supper: Ex 12:1-8, 11-14; Ps 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18; 1 Cor 11:23-26; Jn 13:1-15 Friday: Is 52:13 53:12; Ps 31:2, 6, 12-13, 1516, 17, 25; Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9; Jn 18:1 19:42 Saturday: a) Gn 1:1 2:2 [1:1, 26-31a]; Ps 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12, 13-14, 24, 35; or Ps 33:4-7, 12-13, 20-22; b) Gn 22:1-18 [1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18]; Ps 16: 5, 8-11; c) Ex 14:15 15:1; Ex 15:1-6, 17-18; d) Is 54:5-14; Ps 30:2, 4-6, 11-13; e) Is 55:1-11; Is 12:2-6; f) Bar 3:9-15, 32 4:4; Ps 19:8-11; g) Ez 36:16-17a, 18-28; Ps 42:3, 5; 43:3-4 or Is 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6 or Ps 51:12-15, 18-19; h) Rom 6:3-11; i) Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23; Mt 28:1-10 Sunday: Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23; Col 3:1-4 or 1 Cor 5:6b-8; Jn 20:1-9 or Mt 28:1-10 or (at an afternoon or evening Mass) Lk 24:13-3 Holy Thursday Monday: Tuesday:

12 Saturday

Dia de Oracion, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 2nd. fl. classroom & 5th fl. friary

Communal Penance Service, 11:30 a.m., 1st fl. Church Palm Sunday

13 Sunday

Prison Ministry, SCHC, 8:15 to 11:30 a.m., womens services 12:55 to 2:30 p.m. Healing Prayer Service, 1:30 p.m. Parents & Family of LGBT Support Group, 1:45 to 3:00 p.m. (See ad for details.) 20s/30s Wine & Cheese Social, after 4 & 5:30 p.m. Masses (See ad for details.)

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

14 Monday

Blood pressure & Blood Sugar screening, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Wellness Center

Boston Marathon Mass for First Responders, 1:15 p.m.

15 Tuesday

Nutrition consultation*, 10:00 a.m. to Noon (*by appt. 617-542-6440, ext. 118) Blood pressure & Blood Sugar screening, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Wellness Center The Power of Gratitude, by William Sawyer, II, 12:15 to 1:30 p.m., 2nd fl. classroom

Boston Marathon Anniversary Mass, 5:15 p.m. Blood pressure & Blood Sugar screening, Flu vaccine, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Wellness Center

16 Wednesday

LGBT Spirituality Group, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., Assisi auditorium stage classroom (See ad for details.)

Seniors Mass 10:00 a.m., Exercise 10:30 a.m., Multimedia Stations of the Cross 11:00 a.m., lunch noon

17 Thursday

See Holy Week Schedule

19 Saturday

Centering Prayer Group, Noon to 1:30 p.m., 4th fl. Francis room Saint Anthony Shrine The Church on Arch Street

A.A. Step Meeting 5:45 p.m. Seniors Crafts Group 10:30 a.m. A.A. Open Meeting Noon Mens Cursillo Reunion 5:15 p.m. Wednesday Remembrance Day for Deceased (3rd Wed.) All Masses Womens Spiritual Refl. Group (2nd & 4th Wed) 12:30 p.m. Seniors Computer Lab 1:30 p.m. Grupo Hispano de Oracin 4:15 p.m. A.A. Open Meeting 5:45 p.m. Bread on the Common (2nd & 4th Wed.) 5:45 p.m. Anointing of the Sick Mass (2nd Wed.) TBA Thursday S.L.A.A. Meeting Noon Mens Spirituality Group (2nd & 4th Thurs.) 5:00 p.m. A.A. Big Book Meeting 5:45 p.m. Saturday Centering Prayer Group (1st & 3rd Sat.) Noon Vietnamese Secular Franciscans (2nd Sat.) 1:00 p.m. Secular Franciscans (2nd Sat.) 2:00 p.m. Sunday 20/30 Boston Young Adults Coffee (4th Sun.) 11:00 a.m. alt. Wine & Cheese Social (odd 4th Sun.) 5:00 p.m. Pieta Ministry Coffee (1st Sun.) 11:00 a.m. Healing Service (2nd Sun.) 1:30 p.m. Separated and Divorced Catholics 1:30 p.m. Hispanic Secular Franciscans (1st Sun.) 3:00 p.m.

REGULAR EVENTS
Monday Tuesday

2014 Holy Week Schedule

PALM SUNDAY, April 13: Mass and Confession schedule is the same as that of a regular Sunday. Palms will be distributed before all Masses. TRIDUUM HOLY THURSDAY, April 17: Shrine opens at 5:30 AM and closes at 7 PM. Mass of the Lords Supper: 5:15 PM*. This is the only Mass celebrated on this day. Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament following until 7 PM in the 1st Floor Church. Confessions: 8 AM to 4 PM These hours differ from the regular Saturday schedule. GOOD FRIDAY, April 18: Shrine opens at 5:30 AM and closes at 7 PM. No Mass celebrated on this day. Dramatic Stations of the Cross: Come experience the breathtaking story of Jesus passion and death on the cross in a profound new way this Good Friday. Join The Arch Street Band and the friars of St. Anthony Shrine for a prayerful event like no other. There will be four Presentations with Music at 11, 12, 1 and 5:15 PM (2nd Floor Church). Traditional Stations of the Cross: 12:15 PM and 2 PM (1st Floor Church) Celebration of the Lords Passion to include distribution of the Eucharist: 3:15 PM* (2nd Floor Church) and 3:30 PM (1st Floor Church) Confessions: 8 AM to 3 PM; 4:30 to 6 PM HOLY SATURDAY, April 19: Shrine opens at 5:30 AM. Traditional Easter Basket Blessing: Bring your Easter Baskets to the front of the 1st Floor Church at 1 PM. Fr. Jim Czerwinski, OFM, will bless each basket. Children are most welcome to bring their baskets empty or full. Easter Vigil Mass: 8:30 PM* This is the only Mass celebrated on this day. Confessions: 8 AM to 4 PM EASTER SUNDAY, April 20: Mass schedule is the same as that of a regular Sunday. Mariachi Band will be providing music at the 11:45 AM Spanish Mass in the 1st Floor Church. Confessions are not heard on Easter Sunday. *Indicates music by The Arch Street Band.
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I C U Group (ICU means I Care

Events This Week

Parents and Family of LGBT Support Group

We clearly recognize the importance of the roles played by the parent[s], family and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. A designated support group has been established to assist those who love and care about their children, siblings, or friends of LGBT. The group has been meeting to reflect and discuss issues surrounding gay children and straight parents. All parents, families, siblings (over 20 yrs age) and friends of LGBT persons are invited to participate.
Offered by LGBT MInistry of St. Anthony Shrine

Unconditionally... because I love you)

Sunday, April 13, 2014 1:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Assisi auditorium stage classroom

Contact: Fr. Joe Quinn, OSF, 617-542-6440, ext. 239 or email LGBT@stanthonyshrine.org

For more information, please contact sas20s30s@stanthonyshrine.org. This event is for 20s and 30s only.

20s/30s Boston Young Adults

Second Sunday Social

Wine & Cheese Edition

Sunday, April 13 after the 4 & 5:30 p.m. Masses. 2nd floor classroom.
100 Arch Street Boston, Massachusetts 02110 617.542.6440

SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES

Sunday: Monday: Tuesday:

Wednesday: Thursday: Friday:

Saturday:

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord; Julian Calendar Palm Sunday Monday of Holy Week; Passover (Jewish celebration) begins at sunset Tuesday of Holy Week; Income Tax Day Wednesday of Holy Week Holy Thursday; The Sacred Paschal Triduum Friday of the Passion of the Lord (Good Friday); Fast and Abstinence; Julian Calendar Good Friday Holy Saturday; The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night

Whats in Your Garbage? The Story of Stuff

In honor of Earth Day...

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. & repeated at 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Facilitated by Just Matters Group

Boston Marathon Anniversary

Monday, April 14, 2014 at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, 2014 at 5:15 p.m.

Mass for First Responders Anniversary Mass

Contact Dr. Jackie Stewart to register at 617-542-6440 ext. 143 or email SAS.Evang@gmail.com. Please leave your name, telephone no. Offered by Franciscan Adult School

We have a problem with Stuff. We use too much, too much of it is toxic and we dont share it very well. But thats not the way things have to be. Together, we can build a society based on better not more, sharing not selfishness, community not division. Join us for a look at the way we make, use and throw away all the Stuff in our lives

Friar Presentation Series: Exploring Intimacy with Fr. Gene Pistacchio, ofm
Wednesday, April 16, 2014, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Assisi auditorium stage classroom

For more information, please contact sas20s30s@stanthonyshrine.org. Theses events are for 20s and 30s only.

20s/30s Boston Young Adults

LGBT Spirituality Group

Thursday, April 24, 2014. 6:00 p.m. BYO-dinner, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. presentation.

New Member Social - Bowling

Saturday, April 26. Time TBA.

Contact: Fr. Joe Quinn, OSF, 617-542-6440, ext. 239 or email LGBT@stanthonyshrine.org

All Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgendered (LGBT) Catholics are invited to participate in our monthly spirituality group. We will set aside part of our time together to discuss the agenda of our future meetings. We truly look forward to a great turnout and response from all of our members pertaining to our growth and faith development.
Offered by LGBT MInistry of St. Anthony Shrine

Project Rachel Post-abortion Ministry

Without the mercy of God, the grief and pain of abortion can last a life time. Retreats offered by the Project Rachel ministry of the Archdiocese of Boston help women find hope, healing and reconciliation after abortion. If you or a loved one is suffering from post-abortion pain, contact Project Rachel about the upcoming Come to the Waters of Healing retreat to be held Saturday, April 26. For more information, call Project Rachel at 508.651.3100 or email help@projectrachelboston.com. All inquiries are confidential.
Saint Anthony Shrine The Church on Arch Street

The Story of the Weeping Camel

Inconvenient Films the kind that are unsettling and provocative, inviting discussion

With St. Francis to Compostela September 30-October 8, 2014

Contact Dr. Jackie Stewart to register at 617-542-6440 ext. 143 or email SAS.Evang@gmail.com. Please leave your name, telephone no.

This breathtaking blend of documentary and fiction filmmaking provides an unobtrusive glimpse into the relationships, rituals, and livelihood of a fourgeneration family of nomadic shepherds in the Gobi desert of South Mongolia. It is birthing season for the familys herd of camels and after several healthy foals are born, the last birth is difficult. With quiet perseverance, the family helps to deliver a rare white colt, which the mother camel quickly rejects and refuses to nurse. With growing concern for the colts survival, the family decides to employ a nomadic singing ritual to coax the mother into nurturing her young. They send the two eldest sons on a journey to the nearest village to fetch a musician for the hoos ritual. The story unfolds gently, sensitive to the rhythms of desert life while honoring its real-life actors. This modest yet magnificent film is the graduation project of film students Byambasuren Davaa and Luigi Falorni, extending beyond the tale of a camel and colt to explore the fragility and beauty of an ancient way of life.

Saturday, April 26, 2014, 1:45 to 3:30 p.m., Assisi auditorium stage classroom Cost: $5

9 Days, 7 breakfasts, 4 dinners Prices are per person. Double $3,049 Single: $3,449 Triple: $3,019 Includes: Round Trip Air from Logan, Air taxes & surcharges, hotel transfers Tour agent: Collette Vacations Highlights... Madrid, Spain Logrono - Burgos Samos - Sarria Santiago de Compostela Toledo

For more info, contact Fr. Raphael Bonanno, OFM, 617-542-6440, ext 187. email: rafebon@gmail.com Brochure at front desk of Shrine

(Dates are tentative pending hotel availability) Leaders: Fr. Gene Pistacchio, OFM & Dr. Jackie Stewart (Costs TBA)
Palm Sunday Road, Jerusalem

Not too early to Plan Ahead Join us on our May 19-30, 2015 Holy Land Pilgrimage!

Saturday, April 26, 2014, 4:00 p.m. Mass and Sunday, April 27, 2014, 10:00 a.m. Mass
Cover art: Taking of Christ (Judas Betrayal), Caravaggio, c. 1602, oil on canvas, Italian 100 Arch Street Boston, Massachusetts 02110 617.542.6440

New Eucharistic Ministers Commissioning

Offered by Franciscan Adult School

To get on our interest list, please contact Dr. Jackie Stewart, SAS.Evang@gmail.com or 617-542-6440, ext. 143. Offered by Franciscan Adult School

Note: Group Airline tickets cannot be reserved until eleven months before departure (~June 2014). Cost of trip will be determined at that point. We currently have holds on space in our Galilee hotel and partial in Jerusalem hotel(s). Will be finalized atfter airline space confirmed. The itinerary is being drafted and will be published soon. This will be a most memorable trip, for first timers and returnees.

Pray for Peace in the Middle East!

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SAINT ANTHONY SHRINE & MINISTRY CENTER ~ All Are Welcome ~

Masses The Arch Street Band
SATURDAY AFTERNOON VIGIL MASSES ** Music

Second Floor Chapel 6:00 a.m. 7:30 a.m. 9:00 a.m. Following Masses ** Music 10:00 a.m. 11:15 a.m. 12:30 Noon 4:00 p.m. 5:30 p.m. Cada domingo a las 11:45 de la maana Second Floor Chapel 8:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m.
LEGAL HOLIDAY MASSES MISA EN ESPAOL - PRIMER PISO

Second Floor Chapel 4:00 p.m. ** 5:30 p.m. **

First Floor Chapel 4:15 p.m.

SUNDAY MASSES

6:00 a.m. 7:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 11:45 a.m. 12:30 p.m. 1:15 p.m. 5:15 p.m. Second WednesdayAnointing Mass: time to be announced Third WednesdayDay of Remembrance Tuesdays: St. Anthony Devotions Wednesdays: Spanish Mass - 5:15 p.m. Thursdays: St. Jude Devotions MISA EN ESPAOL Cada mircoles a las 5:15 de la tarde
SATURDAY MASSES

Celebrated in Second Floor Chapel

WEEKDAY MASSES

Celebrated in Second Floor Chapel 8:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 12:00 Noon Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament (First Floor Chapel) Weekdays at 1:45 p.m. Saturdays at 12:30 p.m. Sundays at 1:00 p.m. Benediction (First Floor Chapel) Weekdays: 5:00 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays: 3:30 p.m. Vespers Sundays: 3:15 p.m.
EXECUTIVE STAFF
Fr. Thomas Conway, OFM Executive Director Fr. Barry Langley, OFM Associate Director

CONTACT US: Phone: 1-617-542-6440 Fax: 1-617-542-4225 Website: http://www.StAnthonyShrine.org Address: 100 Arch Street Downtown Crossing Boston, MA 02110

Celebrated in First Floor Chapel Weekdays: 6:30 to 8:00 a.m.; 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday: 6:30 to 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Seasonal Communal Penance Service: (to be announced) Sunday: 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Legal Holiday: 8:30 to 10:00 a.m.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

Holy Rosary of Mary Sundays: 2:45 p.m. Chaplet of Divine Mercy Sundays: 3:00 p.m.

MINISTRIES OF SAINT ANTHONy SHRINE WORSHIP/yOuR SPIRITuAl HOME RECONCIlIATION MuSIC lAzARuS PROGRAM WEllNESS CENTER SAINT ANTHONy BREAD FOR THE POOR BREAD ON THE COMMON FRANCISCAN SPIRITuAl COMPANIONSHIP MINISTRy THE KIDS PROGRAM SENIORS ON ARCH STREET MyCHAl JuDGE CENTER FOR RECOvERy FRANCISCAN FOOD CENTER EvANGElIzATION GOOD WORD: (617) 542-0502 HISPANIC MINISTRy FRANCISCAN ADulT SCHOOl PIETA MINISTRy 20S/30S BOSTON COME HOME PROGRAM PRISON MINISTRy lGBT MINISTRy GRIEF MINISTRy
6 Saint Anthony Shrine The Church on Arch Street

Spirituality of the Readings

Palm Sunday of the Lords Passion A At The Procession With Palms: Matthew 21:1-11 Reading I: Isaiah 50:4-7 Responsorial Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24 Reading II: Philippians 2:6-11 Gospel: Matthew 26:14-27:66

Jesus let even his own body receive brutal scourging. Making real the Suffering Servant, Jesus set his face like flint toward the humiliation that was to come (see also lk 9:51-55). His kingship meant terrible suffering, and humiliation, not publicity and grandeur. In the Second Reading Paul uses words from a primal Christian hymn which brings out the same contrast. On the one hand Jesus had every right to be known as the very greatest human being ever born (in the desert temptations Satan had tempted him to think this way), but on the other he emptied himself, taking the form of a servant. Is this what it means to be a king? That he humbled himself and became obedient unto death? Another verse of this ancient hymn says that God did in fact exalt Jesus, but only because Jesus had emptied himself out. God did not remove the passion or relieve him of the cup he was to drink. God showed that kingship consists of love that is willing to sacrifice for others. Kings, queens, leaders, all, must work for the actual good of actual people no matter what the cost. Palm Sunday of the lords Passion is about this contrast, a kingship of splendor and fame which is made up of a kingship of service to others. The two Gospel readings present this dual vision. All this is brought to a head by Matthews long Gospel story of Jesus passion and death. What better way to show us what Gods kingship is really about. So, at last, Jesus is doing it, the thing he had preached about, giving himself for others. Now he is showing real kingship. Our eyes are open for Holy Week.
Fr. John Foley, S. J. Copyright 2014, The Center for liturgy at Saint louis university. All rights reserved. used by permission. you are invited to write a note to the author of this reflection: Fr. John Foley, S. J. (johnbfoley@yahoo.com)

The Man Who Would Be King

It is a special liturgy, this Sunday, known as Palm Sunday of the lords Passion. If you were tempted to think of it as just another Mass with a couple of additions, prepare to drop that assumption. Passion Sunday is a very deep vision of the heart and soul of Christianity. A Procession with Palms precedes the Mass. In it we hear the Procession Gospel reading, and it states a premise: Jesus is kingly and is making a triumphal entrance into Jerusalem. He chooses a donkey to ride on, carrying out the words of zechariah (zec 9:9): Behold, your king comes to you, meek and riding on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden. The sign of a king was humility, and therefore in Israel the customary mount for a king in procession was a donkey. People cheer wildly and the whole city [is] stirred to its depths. They layer his pathway with palm branches and even sprawl their coats out upon it. This sovereign must not be sullied by common dirt from the road. He is their man. He is their king! Then our Mass itself begins. The First Reading is a passage from Isaiah called the Third Song of the Suffering Servant, one that Jesus knew well. The lord God has given me a well-trained tongue, it says, that I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. This he did, and was accorded applause for it, treated like royalty. So far, so good. I have not rebelled, have not turned away, he says. Then the Servant Song continues: I gave my back to those who beat me.
100 Arch Street Boston, Massachusetts 02110 617.542.6440

About Palm Sunday

This is the beginning of Holy Week, the celebration of Palm Sunday of the lords Passion. It recalls the triumphal event of Jesus coming into Jerusalem six days before the Passover in line with the symbolic actions done by the prophets and messianic hopes for a glorious Davidic ruler. To set the stage, lets backup and look at what happened beforehand to give a context to why Jesus was so well-received so shortly before the beginning of his Passion. In Johns Gospel Jesus had been in Perea across the Jordan, at the place where John the Baptist had been baptizing, when he was summoned by his friends, Martha and Mary, to come to Bethany for their brother lazarus was very ill. Jesus delayed by several days, and when he arrived, lazarus had been buried for four days. Many of the Jews were there comforting Mary and Martha. Jesus was moved by the weeping of Mary and the weeping Jews. He raised lazarus from the dead restoring him to his sisters. Many of the Jews believed in Jesus because of this. Word got back to the Jewish judicial bodythe council (Sanhedrin) who were afraid that the Roman Empire occupying their country would view Jesus following among the people as yet another uprising, prompting a military attack by Rome to crush a rebellion by the Jewish people. Thus, they took counsel from that day on how to kill Jesus (and lazarus as well). In the Gospels of Mark and luke, there is no story about lazarus (unique to Johns Gospel), rather there is a healing of a man born blind (Matthew's Gospel speaks of two blind men). He cried out, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! By his faith Jesus cured him, and the man immediately regained his sight, and followed Jesus. Following Johns Gospel, Jesus left Bethany and went to Ephraim just north of Jerusalem with his disciples where he was warmly received. The town of Ephraim exists today called Taybeh, an Arab Christian town, dating to the time of Jesus. He stayed there, returning six days before Passover to Bethany. He had supper with his friends lazarus, Mary and Martha, and his disciples. Mary anointed his feet with costly ointment and was criticized by Judas for the expense. But Jesus said to let her alone, to keep it for the day of his burial. (The Gospels of Mark and Matthew also speak of an anonymous anointing in Bethany which was done

for his body beforehand in anticipation of his burial.) The next day, Jesus left Bethany to come to Jerusalem via the Mount of Olives. He sent two disciples ahead to procure the loan of a donkey colt. Matthews Gospel conflated the prophecies from Isaiah and zechariah, behold your king, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt. They brought the donkey to Jesus, and put their garments on it, and he sat on it. Others in the crowd spread their garments on the road, the costliest piece of clothing they had to honor a king or visiting dignitary. Still others spread leafy branches they gathered from the fields. Most likely, these were not palm branches as they were not native to Jerusalem, (but could have been imported from Jericho for the feast of Tabernacles). Only Johns Gospel mentions palm trees, perhaps for symbolic victory. Jesus rode down what today is called the Palm Sunday Road, greeted with cries of Hosanna to the Son of David! Hosanna! Blessed is he (the King) who comes in the name of the lord. Hosanna in the highest! The highest may refer to the heavens where God dwells. The Son of David motif echoes the cry of the blind man cured earlier by Jesus. In lukes Gospel, some of the Pharisees call to Jesus to rebuke his disciples (the Pharisees reject Jesus). But Jesus answered, ...if these were silent, the very stones would cry out. As Jesus entered the city, he wept over it. That place today is called Dominus Flevit (which means the lord wept). The city, Jerusalem (Jeru Shalom which means City of Peace), did not recognize the visitation of Jesus, Gods agent for peace. Jesus then entered Jerusalem, and went to the Temple where the cleansing from the moneylenders occurred incurring the wrath of the Temple authorities. From hereon, Jesus moves towards his Passion. On this first day* of the holiest week of the year, the Catholic Christian Church celebrates with the blessing of the palms. All of the people are given palms to wave (and to take home). This year the liturgy begins with a procession and the reading of Matthews Gospel on the triumphal procession into Jerusalem. In the liturgy of the Word, the entire Passion according to Matthew is read, making explicit the connection between Jesus Triumph and his Passion. Correspondingly the liturgical color is red.
______________ *Early Gallican books indicate that the preceding day was once known as lazarus Saturday, while Palm Sunday itself is still sometimes called by the Greeks kyriake tou Lazarou (the Sunday of lazarus).

Commentary by Dr. Jackie Stewart