Thousands of Filipino faithful filled churches across the country on Palm Sunday, marking the beginning of Holy Week with a mix of joy and solemn reflection.
In his Palm Sunday message for 2026, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Archbishop Gilbert Garcera called on the faithful to reflect on God’s immense love as the Church enters its most sacred season.
He emphasized that Jesus Christ offered His life on the cross to redeem humanity from sin.
Garcera also invited the faithful to return to God and experience His love anew, describing the observance as a time for conversion and spiritual renewal. Amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and other parts of the world, he pointed to God as the true source of lasting peace.
Worshippers gathered early in churches, carrying palm fronds—many intricately woven from coconut leaves—as they commemorated Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, an event recorded in all four Gospels.
According to biblical accounts, Jesus entered the city riding on a donkey while crowds welcomed Him by waving palm branches and shouting “Hosanna,” a plea for deliverance.
Church leaders said the occasion reflects both celebration and sorrow. While the waving of palms symbolizes honor and festivity, it also foreshadows the suffering and crucifixion that Christians will remember later in the week.
For Filipino Catholics, the use of coconut leaf palms highlights a local expression of faith, blending cultural tradition with the enduring message of Palm Sunday.
