Holy week and easter celebrations

[Gala Placidia]

Tomorrow, Palm Sunday, is the real start of the Holy Week commemorations and celebrations.
The sixth Sunday of Lent is a remembrance of the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem and it is called Palm Sunday as, according to tradition, the streets were lined with palms and people were waving them as well signifying victory.
It is interesting to notice that the Holy Week, usually a period of mourning, starts with a celebration.
A most important ceremony is the blessing of palms, or olive tree branches in those areas where palm trees are not in abundance. People take those branches home and they hang them up in balconies or over front doors and it is usual to exchange them amongst members of the family and friends.
Special palm weaving is part of the tradition in those places where palms are found. It is an ancient tradition to create special patterns with them and you can always see the Pope carrying one of those specially woven palms this Sunday.
For those interested in the craft, I have found this link:
Palm Weaving Tutorials - Italiansrus.com
Traditions vary throughout the country and it is a very special celebration at the start of the Holy Week.
Palms and olive branches hanging from balconies and lintels are supposed to keep evil spirits away during the year. If a neighbour gives you one it is a token of friendship and appreciation so please hang it in a prominent place, even if you are a non-believer. It would not hurt anyone.

[Jinty]

Gala,

Thank You!

You have just brought back some lovely memories - although I'm a "lapsed" Catholic - I can still remember how to make a cross out of the palm leaves. I remember my mother spending AGES with me showing me the right way to do it (and being jealous of my big sister whose palm cross NEVER unravelled like mine) and the palm cross she made being in her prayer book for the rest of the year.

Can you confirm (or tell me I'm wrong) that the unused palms are then burned to be used for the "ashes" on the following Ash Wednesday" ?

[Gala Placidia]

Yes, in some countries the palms or olive branches are kept until the following year and they are burned on Ash Wednesday. This is also the date when religious items such as old religious stamps, etc. are burned. You are not supposed to throw away in the bin any religious objects, no matter how old and tattered they look, as it would be considered as a lack of respect. Even the ashes should be disposed off in a respectful way. These are old traditions: however, I think that there are some valid points in them.

[DavidUno]

Here in Sarnano (Marche), it is a very solemn affair. It all kicked off last night , at 10:00 with a very serious proccession, priests with amplification, children dressed as roman soldiers, others dressed in red, carrying flaming torches. Jesus flanked by other soldiers, crucifix over his shoulder, helped by an old man. All followed by a crowd of people, 100s strong. There was an open air service in the piazza from where it wended it's way into the centro storico for a mass.
I apologise for my religious ignorance. I thought at first that it was a full rehearsal for next week, when the extremely solemn proccession takes place. But no, it was real. Celebration? No!

[Gala Placidia]

Some towns and villages start earlier than others with their processions and also they repeat the ceremonies over the week. Each parish has its own liturgy over a common theme. It must have been a very interesting ceremony, David. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[jepsonclough]

Originally Posted by Jinty

I can still remember how to make a cross out of the palm leaves. I remember my mother spending AGES with me showing me the right way to do it (and being jealous of my big sister whose palm cross NEVER unravelled like mine) and the palm cross she made being in her prayer book for the rest of the year.

For quite a few years in Catholic churches in the UK the palms have come ready made in crosses (I think they are made in the developing world) but Palm Sunday for me is not the same - it used to be that at the procession you waved the palms (in the same way as the crowds did in the Gospel story of Jesus riding into Jerusalem) - somehow waving a little cross isn't the same plus I always managed to make good crosses as a child whereas my brother wasn't so good!

I seem to have several knocking about the house from the last few years as it doesn't seem right to throw them away.

Chris

[Francesca]

At my Church service this morning, as well as having what I can dsescribe as long strips of palm, we were encouraged to bring any greenery from our own gardens. I took some decent size cuttings from my bay leaf tree. To me it feels more authentic to carry this sort of greenery and we are encouraged to wave them as well!
After the service I always bring home a palm strip, which I have done for many years and keep them together with small palm crosses that have been made in the past.
As far as I know some of the left over palms are kept for next year and burnt down for the ashes for Ash Wednesday.

Francesca

[Gala Placidia]

The woven palms are an ancient tradition and they are made in many places around the world, particularly in some developing countries where they become a source of income for needy families. Palm waving is considered a symbol of victory and this ceremony commemorates the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem. Donkeys are also important in this commemoration as Jesus rode on one to enter into the city.
The Pope always carries a quite spectacular woven palm throughout the ceremonies at the Vatican, but this fine example of the craft comes every year from the city of Elche in Alicante (Spain) where it is considered an art form from a World Heritage listed town. Some of those woven palms can reach 3 metres high. Every year they change the designs to make these art works unique.
Here is a picture of the Pope at this year's ceremonies, carrying this special palm:

APTOPIX VATICAN POPE PALM SUNDAY

Chris, if some of the woven palms you have are beyond repair and you do not wish to keep them any longer, simply burn them. This is what we usually do with old religious stamps and artefacts. And I agree with you, the woven crosses are very special and an ordinary cross will not have the same meaning.

[Nielo]

My neighbours brought me an olive branch today – as they do every year. I think it has been blessed in the church at the palm Sunday service. I have pt it very prominently over the mantle shelf.

It is a bit strange because my house is surrounded by an olive grove and the farmer has just pruned the olive trees so there are heaps of olive branches all over - still this one is special.

Part of me really dislikes all the religious mumbo jumbo and superstition but on the other hand it was a gift, given in friendship and kindness and that is worth valuing.

[Gala Placidia]

Just as you said, Nielo, it is a symbol of love and friendship. I do not believe they would protect anyone. That is all superstition.