Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry in Jerusalem, days before he was arrested and crucified. It is celebrated the Sunday before Easter and is the beginning of Holy Week.
If you are looking for ideas and mass readings for a specific year in the cycle:
Make Jars with the Jelly Bean Prayer to Prepare for Easter
The Jelly Bean Prayer is a fun Easter prayer for your family or youth ministry. Make up some jars of jelly beans to give away with the prayer during the Octave of Easter. Put them on display for the rest of Lent to remember that we are walking this Lenten journey with the hope of celebrating the resurrection of our Lord on Easter. #hope #LentenJourney
Lent and Triduum Cryptogram Puzzle
This printable cryptogram is a fun way to introduce youth to the vocabulary for Lent and Triduum. Each word is encrypted and definitions are given. Youth must consider the definition and then decrypt the word.
Why Have You Forsaken Me?
In this article from LifeTeen, Carrie Miller explains how alone she felt after the death of her father. Then she expresses how encountering Jesus in adoration helped her heal. And how she came to a deeper understanding of what the death of Jesus Christ means for us.
Lenten Activities: Attend Good Friday Services
Good Friday is the Friday before Easter. On Good Friday, Catholics commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, who died to redeem us. There is no mass on Good Friday, but your local parish will hold a liturgy to remember this tremendous act of love. Attend them with your family. #GoodFriday
Lenten Activities: Attend the Mass of the Lord’s Supper
The Mass of the Lord’s Supper commemorates the last supper of Jesus Christ with his disciples, when the institution of the priesthood and the Eucharist took place. Holy Thursday is not a holy day of obligation, but you should consider attending with your whole family. #HolyThursday #Lent #priesthood #Eucharist
Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday) – Year B (2021)
The readings for Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday) for Year B focus the sacrifice which Jesus Christ made for me and you. So these readings would definitely lead into a discussion of the Pascal Mystery. Here are some ideas.
Mark Hart on Jesus Christ’s Crucifixion and Death
What does the cross mean? In this video, Mark Hart describes the physical process of crucifixion. Jesus chose to be beaten, humiliated, and killed for us. When you wear that cross on your neck or make the sign of the cross, really think about what that means.
Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday) – Year A (2023)
The readings for Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday) for Year A focus on the stark contrast between the crowds love for Jesus and then their act of abandonment. So these readings would lead us to reflect on Jesus’ act of sacrificial love, a revelation of the nature of God. Here are some ideas.
Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday) – Year C (2022)
The readings for Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday) for Year C tell of the death of Jesus Christ, who showed us the true meaning of love and the nature of God. So this weekend we reflect on Jesus’ love for us and the Pascal Mystery.
First Person Stations of the Cross
This mediation will take youth through the way of the cross. They will see each station as if they were there. The prayers are meant to relate to their own lives. This is appropriate during Lent or even if you will be offering youth an opportunity for reconciliation soon.
The Daily Way of the Cross
The call to discipleship requires us to do more than study and pray. We are also called to act. The corporal works of mercy are a good way to think about concrete ways to help those around us. Practicing the works of mercy help us understand the needs of others.
Lenten Activities: Prayerfully Read the Passion of Our Lord
We are all familiar with the Passion story. We hear it every year on Palm Sunday and on Good Friday. But when we read it at Mass, we read it at the same pace as the whole congregation. So try reading it prayerfully on your own.
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