Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday remembers Jesus’ joyful entry into Jerusalem, just days before His arrest and crucifixion. People welcomed Him by waving palm branches and laying them on the road, honoring Him as a king. This day marks the beginning of Holy Week, the final days leading to Easter. On Palm Sunday, churches often bless and distribute palm branches to remind us of the crowd’s welcome and Jesus’ journey toward the cross. Celebrating Palm Sunday helps us reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice and prepares us for the events of Holy Week.

Click on the appropriate year below to see resources, themes, homilies, and more. See how to determine the correct year.

Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday) Year A
Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday) Year B
Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday) Year C

Mass Readings for Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday) Year A

See resources, homilies, and more for the Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday) Year A readings here.

• Procession – Matthew 21:1-11: The Palm Sunday Mass begins with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where he rode on a donkey and was greeted by crowds of people who praised him as the Son of David and King of Israel.
• First Reading – Isaiah 50:4-7: The prophet Isaiah speaks of a servant of God who is a skilled teacher and obedient to God’s will, even in the face of persecution and suffering. The servant trusts in God’s protection and ultimately prevails over his oppressors.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 22: This psalm describes the anguish of a suffering individual who feels abandoned by God and is mocked and persecuted by others. Despite this, the speaker expresses trust in God’s ultimate protection and proclaims God’s glory to others.
• Second Reading – Philippians 2:6-11: This passage describes the selfless humility of Jesus Christ, who, despite being divine, chose to become human and submit to a humiliating death on a cross. As a result of his obedience, God exalted him and gave him a name above all others, that every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
• Gospel – Matthew 26:14 – 27:66: The gospel for Palm Sunday is always one of the accounts of the Passion. In Year A it is taken from the Gospel of Matthew. The Passion reading describes the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion and death. It includes Jesus’ betrayal by Judas Iscariot, his arrest and trial before the high priest, his denial by Peter, his sentencing by Pilate, his crucifixion and death, and his burial in a tomb.

Mass Readings for Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday) Year B

See resources, homilies, and more for the Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday) Year B readings here.

• Procession – Mark 11:1-10: Jesus sends two disciples ahead to fetch a donkey in a village, fulfilling a prophecy and riding into Jerusalem to shouts of “Hosanna!” and the spreading of palm branches. This triumphal entry marks the beginning of the final week of Jesus’ life, leading up to his crucifixion and resurrection.
• Procession alternate gospel – John 12:12-16: Jesus enters Jerusalem triumphantly, fulfilling a prophecy from Zechariah and being greeted by a crowd spreading palm branches and shouting “Hosanna!” The disciples do not yet fully understand the significance of this event, but it marks the beginning of Jesus’ final days before his crucifixion and resurrection.
• First reading – Isaiah 50:4-7: The prophet speaks of a servant of God who is obedient and willing to suffer for the sake of others. This servant puts his trust in God, even in the face of opposition and persecution, and ultimately triumphs over his enemies.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 22: Psalm 22 is a prayer of lament and despair, in which the psalmist cries out to God in agony, feeling abandoned and persecuted by enemies. However, the psalmist ultimately expresses confidence in God’s faithfulness and salvation, proclaiming that all nations will one day worship and praise the Lord.
• Second Reading – Philippians 2:6-11: Paul speaks of the humility and exaltation of Jesus Christ, who despite being in the form of God, humbled himself to become a servant and even to die on the cross. As a result of his obedience, God highly exalted Jesus and gave him a name above every name, so that every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
• Gospel – Mark 14:1-15:47: The events of Jesus’ arrest, trial, and crucifixion, depicting the betrayal of Judas, the abandonment of the disciples, and the hostility of the religious authorities and Roman soldiers. Despite the unjust suffering and death that Jesus endures, the narrative portrays him as a faithful and obedient servant of God.

Mass Readings for Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday) Year C

See resources, homilies, and more for the Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday) Year C readings here.

• Procession – Luke 19:28-40: Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey and receiving a royal welcome from the crowds who hailed him as the Messiah and King who came in the name of the Lord.
• First Reading – Isaiah 50:4-7: The prophet’s unwavering faith in God’s help and faithfulness in times of struggle, even in the face of opposition and ridicule, and his determination to continue proclaiming God’s message despite the challenges he faced.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 22: Psalm 22 is a lamentation that expresses feelings of abandonment, isolation, and despair, yet also includes expressions of trust and hope in God’s deliverance and salvation. It is a powerful prayer that resonates with many who have experienced deep suffering and pain.
• Second Reading – Philippians 2:6-11: This reading highlights the humility and obedience of Jesus in his sacrifice for humanity, emphasizing his willingness to empty himself and become a servant, ultimately submitting to death on the cross. The passage calls for believers to follow Jesus’ example of humility and service, recognizing him as Lord and King of all.
• Gospel – Luke 22:14-23:56: The events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion, including the Last Supper, his arrest, trial, and eventual crucifixion. The passage highlights the shame and suffering associated with this form of execution, as well as the magnitude of Jesus’ love for humanity.

More About Lectionary Cycles

Learn more about the difference between a Bible and a Lectionary, how the Lectionary is arranged, and translations of the Bible used at Mass.

How to Determine the Liturgical Year

The liturgical cycle is a three-year sequence of A, B, and C.

• 2024 is Year B
• 2025 is Year C
• 2026 is Year A
• 2027 is Year B
• 2028 is Year C
• 2029 is Year A
• 2030 is Year B
• 2031 is Year C
• … and so on