WORCESTER, Mass. - Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week, the most sacred time in the Christian calendar.

What You Need To Know

  • Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week, the most sacred time in the Christian calendar, a commemoration of when Jesus entered into Jerusalem where he ultimately died

  • Bishop Robert McManus said the palms symbolize royalty. It was customary in the ancient world to cut palms off branches and wave them as a sign of respect when a visiting personality came to town

  • Many people attended a mass in honor of the day at the Cathedral of Saint Paul in Worcester

Many people attended a mass in honor of the day at the Cathedral of Saint Paul in Worcester.

"Palm Sunday is a commemoration of when Jesus entered into Jerusalem where he ultimately died," said Most Rev. Bishop Robert McManus. "But the ironic thing about this is his entry was acclaimed with great, great honor. People threw their cloak in the road before his donkey,  they waved palm branches for him. They hailed him as the king of the Jews, and only 5 days later they would yell for him to be put to death."

Bishop Robert McManus said the palms symbolize royalty. It was customary in the ancient world to cut palms off branches and wave them as a sign of respect when a visiting personality came to town.

A longtime Worcester resident tells us about what years of worship in the Cathedral has meant for her and her family.

"My dad passed away and he was serving on the altar when I was probably 3 years old sitting in the pew watching him every Sunday," said Cathedral of Saint Paul member Lisa Bean. "So it's very special thing for me and my family so I was up there serving with my daughter."  

Bishop McManus said the message of Sunday's service is recognizing the Holy Week, which also includes Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday and celebrating the basic mysteries of the Catholic faith.

"That Christ has died. That Christ has risen, and Christ again will come with glory to judge the living and the dead," said Bishop McManus. "Our only hope for eternal life in heaven is because Christ opened the gates of heaven by his death and resurrection, and promises those of who us who follow him, who are baptized into his body, the church, that we will live forever in heaven."

"I think though Palm Sunday is a time where we reenact the actions that happened to Jesus," said Bean. "And its special to hear all of the participation from the church."

The Cathedral of Saint Paul will be hosting services throughout Holy Week including next Sunday for Easter.