Sweden: Palm Sunday

Christian churches are celebrating Palm Sunday today. My husband and I heard a Catholic mass this morning and as palms are not available here in Sweden, the church had baskets of leaves that people took as they entered. (see photo)

In the Philippines, palm branches (palaspas) are sold outside Catholic churches and priests bless them at the beginning of the ceremony while people hold them up (waving) to re-enact the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. They are even brought home after mass and displayed above doorways or windows - to bless their homes. People from all walks of life- from the finest houses to the humblest shanties- display their palm branches for a year.