Jordanian Christians celebrate Feast of Palm Sunday

All Christian churches in Jordan, that are celebrating Easter together this year, celebrated Palm Sunday on April 13,  marking the beginning of Holy Week, leading up to the celebration of the Feast of the Resurrection (Easter).

Latin Patriarchal Vicar in Jordan Bishop Iyad Twal celebrated Sunday Palm Mass at St. Elias Church in Al-Wahadneh, northern Jordan. He was received  by parishioners and church pastor, Fr. Salam Haddad, who welcomed the bishop's first visit since his episcopal ordination at the Church of the Baptism of Christ in the Baptism Site last January.

In Amman, Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Tla' Al-Ali parish priest Fr. Dr. Rif’at Bader, director of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media, celebrated Holy Mass which was attended by a large congregation. In his sermon, he said that “Palm Sunday is the olive branch policy, and this year we raise it with one eye focused on Amman and the other on Jerusalem.”

He added: “In Amman, we ask the Lord to bless the olive branch policy led by His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein in all forums around the world, as he travels to countries to remind them that the olive branch policy is the most effective policy for a just and comprehensive peace. His Majesty the King wants this to be the title of the policy of the United Nations and  of the international community.” He also offered prayers for His Majesty the King and for His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al-Hussein Ibn Abdullah II.

With the other eye, Fr. Bader continued, “We look to Jerusalem and look forward to the days that Christ entered heralding days of peace and justice. At the same time, He wept for Jerusalem because it had not found the path to peace and has yet to experience the peace and justice that Lord  Jesus Christ came to spread on this land.” He  added, "We also look forward with hope to Gaza, seeking the attainment of ceasefire, cessation of bloodshed, and spreading an atmosphere of peace, especially for children and youngsters who yearn for the values ​​of justice, love, and peace."

Churches also held traditional Palm Sunday processions that toured church courtyards and adjacent areas, with the participation of scout groups. Participants raised palm and olive branches, chanting prayers and hymns, calling for the perpetuation of security, stability, harmony, and brotherhood in Jordan under the wise Hashemite leadership; for justice and peace in Palestine; for the full recovery of His Holiness Pope Francis, as well as for aiding the weary and the suffering around the world.