LOS ANGELES — Holy Week began Sunday with Palm Sunday, which commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem shortly before his death.

English-language Masses were celebrated at 7:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. and a Spanish-language Mass at 12:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles.

The Masses began outdoors on the Cathedral Plaza for the blessing of palm branches. The palms, which represent the palms the crowd brought when Jesus rode into Jerusalem, were carried by the faithful as they process into the cathedral. This has been a Christian tradition since the fourth century.

The 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Masses were streamed on youtube.com/olacathedral.

"This is a moment for us to really reflect on the mystery of our redemption — the mystery of God's love for us," said Archbishop José H. Gomez, celebrated the cathedral's 10 a.m. English-language Palm Sunday Mass.

"Jesus carried his cross for us and he died for us. To set us free to live a new life — to live for God and for the love of our neighbors and families."

Holy Week concludes next Sunday on Easter, which marks the resurrection of Jesus on the third day after his crucifixio