13 April is Palm Sunday – the start of Holy Week

Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem for Passover. He was greeted by crowds of people who laid palm branches, representing victory and peace, at his feet. They hoped that He would overthrow the Roman government, and greeted him with words of praise: “Hosanna to the Son of David”, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” and  “Blessed is the king of Israel”.

During Holy Week, the mood shifts from joy to the betrayal, suffering and death of our Lord, before his glorious resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Today, palm crosses serve as a symbolic reminder of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and his ultimate sacrifice. They are made by folding or weaving a palm frond into a cross shape. These crosses are often blessed during Palm Sunday services, marking them as holy items. After the blessing, the crosses may be taken home and kept as a reminder – or returned to the church, where they are burned to make ashes for next year’s Ash Wednesday. 

Follow these easy steps to create your own palm cross for Palm Sunday.