BHOPAL: Special prayers and processions were organized across various churches in Bhopal to mark Palm Sunday. Throughout the upcoming Holy Week, the Christian community will continue to pray for world peace and tranquility.
On Sunday, the community celebrated Palm Sunday (Khajur Itwar) with traditional fervor and devotion. As the first day of Holy Week, this festival commemorates Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where crowds welcomed Him by waving palm and olive branches, carpeting His path with their cloaks and boughs. This day signifies the final Sunday of Lent and the commencement of the Holy Week.
Churches filled with a spiritual atmosphere: The city’s churches – Assumption, Infant Jesus, Holy Family, Our Lady of Lourdes and many other churches were filled with a spiritual atmosphere starting from 8 AM. Special prayer services began with the blessing of palm branches, which were then distributed among the faithful.
Devotees took out processions, carrying palm leaves and singing hymns of “Hosanna.” The ceremonies concluded with formal worship and Biblical readings.
Archbishop Durairaj of Bhopal celebrated Palm Sunday with the faithful at the Sacred Heart Church in Ratanpur. In his message, he stated that just as the people welcomed the Lord as a symbol of peace and hope, we must embrace that same spirit in our lives to promote harmony. Expressing concern over current global affairs, he made a special appeal:
“Today, when many parts of the world are scorched by the fires of war and mutual conflict, we need the peace message of Lord Jesus more than ever. Let us all pray together for an end to wars worldwide, for the walls of hatred to fall, and for peace to be established in every nation and society.”
