Now it can be told, via Rome Reports: Without palms like these, Palm Sunday would not be the same. What few know is where they are made, especially the ones used for the procession in St. Peter’s Square. In the Serrano Valero family workshop, more than five generations have been dedicated to the work of the white palm. A tradition dating back to 1371. Check out the Rome Reports video above for more. Read more

According to this blog post, he was received into the Orthodox church through chrismation in Charlotte, North Carolina, along with his wife and two of his 12 children. Perhaps understandably, not everyone is greeting this news with great joy. This web site, for example, accuses him of “leaving the Christian faith,” and notes: The Orthodox Church is a false expression of Christianity, much like the Roman Catholic Church, that is highly driven by graven images and denies the biblical doctrine... Read more

Wow:  The reactions come immediately, powerfully. There’s the time a small boy reacted to Bill Fike’s angry outburst as part of proclaiming the Passion story—a moment when Fike vividly conveys the venom of the crowd toward Jesus as he stands before Pilate. “Someone told me they heard the little boy tell his mother, ‘He’s so mean!’ ” Fike says, smiling at the memory. A short time later, Fike’s smile takes on a different measure of delight when he shares how... Read more

  This is worth revisiting: a terrific reflection by the great Deacon Bill Ditewig from two years ago. Snip:  The rites leading up to the chanting of the Exsultet parallel precisely the rites followed prior to the Gospel proclamation.  The deacon approaches the presider and asks for a blessing.  Before the Gospel, the presider will pray, “May the Lord be in your heart and on your lips, that you may proclaim his Gospel worthily and well, in the name of... Read more

From La Stampa:  After the showers, the barber, the dormitory and the medical visits, what was missing was a laundry. Starting today, Monday, April 10, 2017, in Rome there will be “Pope Francis’ Laundry,” a free service for the homeless where – a release by bishop chaplain Konrad Krajewski reports- the needy will be able to wash, dry and iron their clothes and blankets.” One of the greatest difficulties for those who live on the road, along with that of... Read more

A lengthy discussion on the subject from Catholic News Agency:  Fr. Joshua J. Whitfield is another married priest, who resides in Dallas and is a columnist for The Dallas Morning News. He recently wrote about his experience as a married priest, but also said that he would not want the Church to change its celibacy norm. “What we need is another Pentecost. That’s how the first ‘shortage’ was handled. The Twelve waited for the Holy Spirit, and he delivered,” Fr.... Read more

UPDATE: Yesterday, a Chaldean bishop was circulating this image on social media with news that it was an altar boy killed during the horrific attacks in Egypt on Palm Sunday. But there are now conflicting reports about the fate of the boy—with some local sources saying he is, in fact, alive. Let us hope and pray! Meantime, our prayers today are with all the suffering people of Egypt. This prayer may say it best: O New Martyrs, slain at worship as... Read more

Details:  Roman Catholic Bishop Peter Libasci said Friday the Diocese of Manchester will not allow illegal immigrants to take refuge by living in its churches. In a letter to clergy, Bishop Libasci said the church cannot provide protection from government authorities; that could subject church officials to criminal prosecution and fines for harboring those not in this country legally. “We have not designated our churches as ‘sanctuary’ churches in this sense of the word because it creates a false hope... Read more

The video above shows the moment when one of the blasts hit. From CNN: Bombs targeted two Coptic churches in Egypt as the Christian faithful observed Palm Sunday, one of the most important day on the religion’s calendar. A powerful blast rippled through a Palm Sunday service at a Coptic Christian church in the northern Egypian city of Tanta, killing 25 people and wounding 60 others, state TV reported. The explosive device at St. George Coptic church in Tanta was... Read more

We have just heard the climax of the Greatest Story Ever Told. We hear it every Palm Sunday – and we will hear it again on Good Friday. It is a story of monumental suffering, and love, that has been proclaimed from pulpits around the world for centuries. It speaks for itself. There’s nothing I can add to what we’ve all just heard. But I would like to share just one thought about something that is a vital and meaningful... Read more