Palm Sunday: the true beginning of Holy Week

Palm Sunday marks the true beginning of Holy Week, a Christian celebration that extends eight days until Easter Sunday.It commemorates what is described in the gospels, the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, triumphantly acclaimed by a crowd as the Messiah. Jesus was riding on a donkey, and his followers welcomed him shouting: “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

The Eucharist of this day has two important moments. On the one hand, the procession along the path of olive trees and palms and, on the other, the reading of the word of God, which evokes the Passion of the Lord, recorded in the gospel of Saint Matthew.

When the Passion of the Lord is celebrated, the color of the liturgy is red, as it is the moment in which Christians proclaimed Jesus as the fundamental symbol of their lives.

This first big day of Holy Week has a very special symbolism, and traditionally many faithfuls take to the streets with olive branches or palm leaves. But where does this tradition come from? And why is it celebrated at the beginning of Holy Week?

More than a tradition

This originates from the palm branches that the crowd held and scattered on the ground as Jesus entered the city. According to the Bible story, with this action, they intended to facilitate the path for Jesus, who was advancing on a donkey, and to express their admiration for him.

Tradition says that the godmother gives her goddaughter a palm, as beautiful and elaborate as possible, and if it is a boy, a palm. The traditions have been evolving and it is also common here in Catalonia to decorate them with candies and small toys.

The palms and palms are blessed in a mass in which they end up hitting the ground. In the past, palms were hung on the balconies, as a symbol of blessing the home. Until the following year’s carnival arrived, where the palms were burned, and their ashes used on the following Ash Wednesday.

A business opportunity

On the Florist calendar, Palm Sunday marks the beginning of a challenging and rewarding season. For them, this event  represents a culminating point in its commercial agenda: “It’s exciting as generation after generation they visit us to buy the palm; how that child who came before, now turned into a father, comes with his son”

Starting weeks before Palm Sunday, they begin to prepare meticulously to meet the demand. “Palm, or laurel with its olive tree, is the most demanded,”  a guild florist said . A variety of floral arrangements to celebrate these dates.

The flower store staff is preparing for a significant increase during this season. From customer service to floral design, each department mobilizes to provide an exceptional service: “It is one of the dates, next to Sant Jordi’s Day or Mother’s Day in which we have the most work”

In addition to the sale of products, florists can also offer special services, such as the decoration of churches. This may involve creating floral arches or even decorating religious processions.