Understanding the Day
Season
Passiontide
Week
Week 2 of Passiontide
Rank
First-class feast
Palm Sunday (Dominica in Palmis) begins Passiontide and recalls Jesus’ solemn entry into Jerusalem, when people welcomed him with palms. In the liturgical calendar used here (divino_afflatu), it is a Greater Sunday of the I Class: that means it is one of the highest-ranking feasts of the year. There is no octave or vigil attached above, but Palm Sunday leads directly into Holy Week, the final days of Lent that culminate in the Triduum.
Introit (Daily Prayer)
Ps 21:20, 22
O Lord, be not far from me; O my help, hasten to aid me. Save me from the lion's mouth; form the horns of the wild bulls, my wretched life.
Ps 21:2
My God, my God, look upon me, why have You forsaken me? Far from my salvation are the words of my sins.
O Lord, be not far from me; O my help, hasten to aid me. Save me from the lion's mouth; form the horns of the wild bulls, my wretched life.
O Lord, be not far from me; O my help, hasten to aid me. Save me from the lion's mouth; form the horns of the wild bulls, my wretched life.
Ps 21:2
My God, my God, look upon me, why have You forsaken me? Far from my salvation are the words of my sins.
O Lord, be not far from me; O my help, hasten to aid me. Save me from the lion's mouth; form the horns of the wild bulls, my wretched life.
Almighty, eternal God, Who, to provide mankind an example of humility for it to imitate, willed that the Saviour should assume our flesh and suffer death upon the Cross, mercifully grant that we may be found worthy of the lesson of His endurance and the fellowship of His resurrection.
Through the same Christ our Lord…
Through the same Christ our Lord…
Weekly Prayer
Act of Faith
O my God, I firmly believe that Thou art one God in Three Divine Persons, Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
I believe that Thy Divine Son became Man, and died for our sins, and that He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches, because Thou hast revealed them, Who canst neither deceive nor be deceived.
I believe that Thy Divine Son became Man, and died for our sins, and that He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches, because Thou hast revealed them, Who canst neither deceive nor be deceived.
Weekly Formation
Beatitude 6
The Beatitudes
Blessed are the pure of heart; for they shall see God.
Purity of heart is singleness of purpose before God, together with purity in thought, desire, word, and deed. A heart cleansed from divided and sinful attachments is made capable of knowing God more clearly and seeing Him in glory.
Saint & Feast
Principal celebrationCalendar title
Palm Sunday
A biography or feast reflection has not yet been prepared.
Today in Church History
Second Lateran Council Begins
1139CouncilThe Second Lateran Council, convened by Pope Innocent II, began on March 29, 1139. It addressed issues of Church reform and condemned the teachings of Arnold of Brescia.
The Council highlights the Church's commitment to maintaining doctrinal purity and addressing internal challenges.
Catechism
Catechism of the Catholic Church
In the mystery of salvation, Jesus’ violent death was not a mere coincidence but part of God’s plan, while those involved still acted freely rather than as passive players in a predetermined scenario. God’s eternal plan includes each person’s free response to his grace, and, for our salvation, he permitted the acts flowing from human blindness. Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, fulfilling the prophecy of the suffering Servant and offering a universal redemption from slavery to sin. In loving solidarity with sinners, Jesus was given up for us so that we might be reconciled to God. For our family’s prayer and reflection, these passages invite us to remember God’s benevolent love: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us, and he suffered for every human person without exception.
The Church is called “catholic,” meaning universal, because Christ is present in her and she receives from him the fullness of the means of salvation. She is also catholic because Christ has sent her on mission to the whole human race (CCC 830-831). This universality is visible in local communities of the faithful, where the Gospel is preached and the Lord’s Supper is celebrated. Particular Churches are united in faith and sacraments with their bishops and are fully catholic through communion with the Church of Rome (CCC 832-834). The Church’s many disciplines, liturgical rites, and spiritual and theological traditions show a rich diversity that shines within her common unity (CCC 835). All people are called to the catholic unity of God’s People. Those who believe in Christ and are properly baptized, yet do not fully profess the Catholic faith or remain in full communion under the successor of Peter, are joined to the Catholic Church in a real though imperfect communion (CCC 836-838). As we reflect together, we can pray with gratitude for Christ’s presence in his Church, seek unity with fellow Christians, and remember the need to persevere in charity.