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Palm Sunday procession in Jerusalem; Be hopeful in life
Jerusalem
Hosanna....

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Palm Sunday procession in Jerusalem; Be hopeful in life

3 April 2023
- Fr. Vincent Bosco Sdb

The Holy Week in Jerusalem began with the much-anticipated Palm Sunday procession on the outskirts of Jerusalem in the small town of Betphage. The procession wound its way towards the Church of St. Anne, located at the pool of Bethesda (Jn 5:1-18), culminating in a triumphant display of faith and unity. The procession lasted from 2 pm to 5 pm and was attended by almost four thousand Christians from different countries, denominations, languages, and cultures. Among the faithful were numerous religious men and women, waving palm branches as a symbol of hope and faith that peace would reign in Jerusalem one day. The air was filled with the sweet sounds of Hosanna, sung in various languages. 

During the conclusion of the Palm Sunday procession, His Excellency Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, delivered an inspiring message of hope to the Christian community. He urged them to cast aside their fears and live courageously as witnesses to their faith. His Excellency reminded Christians to remain joyful and hopeful even in persecution: “Never be afraid” because the Lord is with us. He said, “In the heart of Christians, there is no room for hate, and no one can separate us from Jerusalem. Jerusalem is the place of Lord’s death and resurrection, salvation and place of God’s love for humanity.” 

The Palm Sunday procession holds significant meaning for the local Christian community as they come together in large numbers, united in their shared faith in the Lord. It is particularly noteworthy considering the challenges faced by the Christian community in the Holy Land, including emigration to other countries, declining birth rates, late marriages, and political turmoil spanning several decades. The Palm Sunday procession is a rare occasion where Christians can walk, talk, and pray together, reaffirming their commitment to their faith and community.

Hosanna derived from the Hebrew word הושענא (hoshi‘a na), which means "save, we pray." This word is a combination of two Hebrew words: הושיעה (hoshi‘ah), which means "save," and נא (na), which is an exclamation of appeal or entreaty. In Jewish tradition, Hosanna is a plea for God's salvation and deliverance. 

The word Hosanna was introduced into Christian liturgy from the Jewish tradition and is often associated with Palm Sunday. According to the Bible, when Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey, the people greeted him with shouts of "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!" (Matthew 21:9). The people were using the term as a way of expressing their joy and praise for Jesus, whom they believed to be the Messiah. 

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