Palm Sunday

Archbishop Pizzaballa leading the
prelates into Jerusalem

The Palm Procession just ended and I managed to take many photos to show you. But before that we must denounce strongly at the murder of Coptic christians in 2 churches in Egypt this morning. Those cowardly islamist extremists try to destroy christianity in its cradle but they forget the blood of martyrs is the seed of the Faith. The Cross will triumph. It has and it will.

Fr. Agustin with his little franciscans

The crowds participating in the Palm Procession from Bethfage into Jerusalem were a lot larger than previous years. Many protestants joined in. And Coptic christians outnumbered Greek Orthodox and Ethiopic Orthodox in joining our procession. It started at 2pm and ended past 6pm ... a 4 hour walk over 2 kms.

Large crowds this year

The christians were loud and proud ... It is one day when they can openly celebrate their Faith. The statement was clear. This year Jewish extremists were kept away by the police ... in the previous year jews disrupted the procession and cursed and spat at christians. This year several muslim boys sitter above the entrance into Lions Gate were shouting Hosanna and the christians walking passed below shouted back Hosanna.

Dragomans in traditional costume
lead the procession

But lest all this joy is overwhelming ... we must remember that it only leads to Mt. Calvary, the Cross and Death. Christians in Syria, Iraq and Egypt continue to suffer persecution ... They live the Way of the Cross. They pay with their lives. Between Hosanna and Alleluia there is the Cross. Don't forget the christians in the Middle East while you're celebrating Holy Week in the comfort of your church.

Ethiopic christian
wearing a palm cross