Palm Sunday is Celebrated Throughout the Archdiocese of Newark

The Easter season has officially begun as parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Newark (Essex, Union, Hudson, and Bergen counties) celebrated Palm Sunday on March 28.

This year’s Mass was unique. It marked the first time congregations were able to gather in-person for Palm Sunday since before COVID-19 — albeit with social distancing and other safety precautions in place. Those present experienced a traditional Palm Sunday observance, which commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entrance into Jerusalem and includes a reading of the Passion of the Christ with participation from lectors and the parish community. Blessed palm branches were made available to the faithful.

Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, Archbishop of Newark, celebrated an in-person Spanish-language Palm Sunday Mass in Newark’s Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart. The Mass also was live-streamed to reach Catholics who joined from their homes due to the ongoing pandemic. He began his homily by saying he was happy to see so many people gathered there.

Palm Sunday is when “the Church marks the beginning of the great Christian week,” said Cardinal Tobin. “A new day dawning in our hearts and in our dreams.”

Priests in local parishes throughout the Archdiocese celebrated with their communities and noted that parishioners were genuinely happy to attend Palm Sunday liturgy.

“Even though there were a number of adaptations for Palm Sunday this year due to the current pandemic, it is a great blessing for us to be again able to celebrate it as a parish,” said Fr. Ivan Sciberras, pastor of St. Peter’s Church in Belleville.

For information on Holy Week liturgies and where to watch live streams, visit www.rcan.org.