Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the Holy Week. Here in the Philippines, Catholics go to mass carrying palaspas or palm leaves, similar to how the people of Jerusalem welcomed Jesus when He entered the city. A friend once told me that in some churches, the first mass of Palm Sunday is celebrated with a short procession within the compound of the church. Before this procession starts, the main entrance to the church is close while the churchgoers gather outside waving the palaspas on their hands. The procession is lead by the priest carrying a crucifix. Upon reaching the closed entrance of the church, he will ceremonially strike the crucifix against the door which will dramatically open (bonga!). The procession ends when the churchgoers enter the church and then the mass is celebrated.
Palaspas is traditionally made from young coconut leaves. Some of its leaves are woven while some are retained to stick up. A typical palaspas is never complete without an artificial flower made of crepe paper (I know it’s funny). It cost Php15 to Php20 but we got ours for Php5. How? Attend the last mass of the night and probably the vendors will even give it for Php2 🙂
Anyway, Filipinos have this blessed by the priest before the mass is celebrated and then taken back home and placed on top of the main entrance or window. It is believed to drive away evil spirits and protect the dwellers from all sorts of harm. Some burn a little portion of it during storm believing that it will dodge lightning from hitting the house. I used it to exorcize my brother – relentlessly hitting and slashing it against during them.
Postscript: Much thanks to Munsterinc and Diamonds_in_the_soles_of_her_shoes for the photos I used. Clink on their names to visit their flickr accounts. Spread the love!
under the same sky 
Leave a comment