Christians worldwide are today celebrating the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, a week before his death and resurrection.
The occasion, Palm Sunday, is also referred to as Passion Sunday and marks the beginning of the Holy Week which concludes on the Great Easter Sunday – the Sunday of the resurrection of the Lord.
For the Catholic Church, the commemoration of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem has been celebrated with solemn procession, in which the faithful in song and gesture imitate the Hebrew children who went to meet the Lord singing “Hosanna.”
In an interview on Thursday, a devout Catholic, Levi Chirwa, said the procession is marked by the Catholic faithful carrying palms or other tree branches that have been blessed by a priest.
Chirwa said the palms are taken home where they serve as a reminder of the victory of Jesus.
“On this day, both the celebration and the catechesis show the aspects of the paschal mystery. In terms of arrangement, the congregation assembles at a distinct place from the church to which the procession will move and hear the proclamation of the Gospel of the Lord from Luke 19:28-40.
“During the mass, the Lord’s Passion, according to the Gospel of St. Luke, will be read, recounting Jesus’ gift of the Eucharist at the Last Supper, his agony in the garden, his betrayal and arrest, the humiliation and scorn he experienced at his trial,” said Chirwa.
Hossana Ministries to light up Nsanje
JAMES CHIMPWEYA
People in Nsanje will from March 29-April 1 experiences the power of Jesus’ death and resurrection during this Easter period.
Hossana Christian Ministries is scheduled to take the unique experience to Nsanje with power-packed messages to be delivered by evangelist Gersom Chikonmdwa, head of the ministries.
The meetings are expected to be held at Kapanje Primary School in Group Village Head Thukuso.
“The theme of this Easter crusade is ‘The Power of Jesus Death and Resurrection.’ These revivals are being organised jointly by our ministry and Nsanje Pastors Fraternal.
“We are expected to give special counselling as well as praying for the sick during the three-day crusade. Our vision is to reach those in rural areas and plant branches there,” said Chikondwa.
