War cancels Palm Sunday procession in Jerusalem, but churches ‘remain open’
Patriarch Pizzaballa made the announcement in a message to Latin Rite communities. The Chrism Mass has also been postponed due to the impossibility for the clergy to physically come together. A virtual community prayer with a rosary for peace has been scheduled for 28 March. Easter “reminds us that no darkness, not even that of war, can have the last word.” Meanwhile, terror continues amid raids and missile strikes, as well as settler violence in the West Bank.
Jerusalem (AsiaNews) – Due to the war, the traditional Palm Sunday procession, which ascends from the Mount of Olives to the Old City of Jerusalem, has been cancelled this year, replaced by a moment of prayer for the city of Jerusalem, at a location yet to be determined.
The Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday for the Latin Patriarchate has also been postponed (with the consent of the Dicastery for Divine Worship) until a later date, as soon as the situation allows, possibly before the Easter period.
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, was forced to make these two sad announcements in an official message released this morning.
“The restrictions imposed by the conflict and the events of recent days do not bode well for any imminent improvement,” reads the cardinal’s message.
It adds: “In constant dialogue with the competent authorities, together with the other Christian Churches, we are evaluating how, in the ways to be agreed upon, we can celebrate the central Mystery of our salvation in the heart of our Churches. The situation is constantly evolving, and it is not possible to provide definitive indications for the days to come; we will therefore be forced to coordinate on a day-to-day basis.”
It seems clear that the Palm Sunday procession, which traditionally brings together hundreds of people along the streets Jesus walked on his entry into the Holy City, will also not be held in the city where gatherings have been banned due to Iranian missile attacks.
This is a deeply painful decision, given the profound significance of this moment for the Catholic community of Jerusalem. Likewise, restrictions on entry from the West Bank currently make it impossible for the clergy to physically gather at the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate the Chrism Mass.
Yet, this does not mean that Easter, the central mystery of the Christian faith, will not be celebrated at the holy sites.
“The churches of the Diocese remain open,” writes Card Pizzaballa in his message. “Parish priests and priests, in the forms and ways that are possible, shall do everything they can to encourage prayer and the faithful's participation in the celebrations of the Paschal Mystery.”
Sadly, “The harshness of this time of war, which affects us all, today bears the added burden of not being able to celebrate Easter together and with dignity. This is a wound that adds to the many others inflicted by the conflict. But we must not allow ourselves to be discouraged. Though we may not gather as we would like, let us not give up prayer.”
Indeed, “This is the time to remember Jesus' invitation to his disciples: ‘Pray always and do not lose heart’ (Luke 18:1).” To this end, “We therefore wish to compensate for these limitations with moments of prayer as families and in our religious communities.”
Thus, the cardinal invites the Latin rite communities of the Holy Land to experience a moment of community, while everyone remains in their own homes.
“We desire peace, first and foremost for our troubled hearts. Only prayer can give it,” reads the message. “I therefore invite you to join in prayer next Saturday, March 28, reciting the Rosary to implore the gift of peace and serenity, especially for those suffering because of the conflict.”
For this event, the Latin Patriarchate has also released a handbook, prepared by Brother Francesco Patton, who was Custos of the Holy Land until a few months ago.
“Easter, which we celebrate in the name of Christ's passion, death, and resurrection, reminds us that no darkness, not even that of war, can have the last word.
“The empty tomb is the seal of the victory of life over hatred, of mercy over sin. Let us allow this certainty to illuminate our steps and sustain our hope.”
Victory over hatred is more urgently needed today in a Holy Land caught between the seemingly endless chain of Israeli-American air strikes on Iran and Lebanon and Iranian missile and drone launches against Israel and the Gulf states.
For more than three weeks, this madness has spread alarm, death, and destruction daily.
The above is compounded by settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, which has escalated recently following the death on Saturday of an 18-year-old Israeli man who was struck in a suspicious accident while patrolling disputed lands on his quad bike.
Quickly Saturday evening, settlers staged punitive raids in several Palestinian villages, burning homes and even a medical clinic, causing further destruction.
The same thing happened again last night after Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich spoke at the young man's funeral, adding fuel to the fire.
Photo: Wikipedia / Bahnfrend
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24/06/2016 13:47
11/12/2025 14:17
