Liturgies often begin outside churches where the faithful receive blessed palm branches and join in a procession recalling the day that Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem.
On the first Palm Sunday, the road into Jerusalem was alive with expectation. Word had spread that Jesus was approaching and people gathered along the path cutting branches from palm trees and laying them on the ground before him.
As Jesus entered the city riding on a simple donkey the crowd cried out with joy, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Their voices echoed through the streets filled with hope. In that moment, the scene was both triumphant and tender – a king welcomed not with power or wealth, but with faith and open hearts.
Yet, beneath the joyful welcome, there was a quiet tension. This procession marked the beginning of a sacred and sorrowful journey in the events of Holy Week.
In our times, in the Palm Sunday liturgy, we, as Catholics, experience both triumph and sorrow. Palm Sunday invites us not only to celebrate Jesus as king, but also to walk with Him toward the cross. Holding our palms, as centuries ago, we are reminded that faith is not only about moments of joy, but also about remaining faithful throughout our struggles and sacrifice, trusting in the resurrection to come.
Cabrini High School’s annual St. Joseph Altar opened on March 18, 2026, welcoming students with the traditional “Tupa-Tupa” ceremony, a reenactment of the Holy Family seeking shelter before the birth of Jesus. Created in partnership with the Elenian Club, the oldest Italian women’s club organization in the United States, the altar reflected months of care, shared devotion among students, alumnae, and volunteers, and a strong commitment to tradition.
Towards the end of February, on Sunday the 22nd, the Justice For Immigrants Program held a Bystander Training Workshop at the St. F. X. Cabrini Shrine in New York City. Neighborhood locals gathered to learn how to support and defend their immigrant neighbors by getting some basic Know Your Rights information, tips on identifying federal immigration officers, how to accurately record and report ICE presence, and much more. We are grateful to all those who came with a willingness to learn!
prepared healthy recipes such as fruit salad, green salad, rice, and guacamole.
Although he never speaks in the Gospels, his actions reveal a man of deep faith, humility, and obedience to God’s will.
The following are excerpts from the reflections they write at the end of each day’s experiences.
, there is a lot of hard work and dedication. We also learned to be grateful for the things we often overlook, such as our jobs or the work we do at home. We are beyond blessed in many capacities and seeing others who do not get the same experience is eye-opening.
group returned to the Women’s Center which offers a variety of classes such as cooking, sewing and weaving so that the local women can learn from one another and support their families. During their visit the group learned how to wash clothes using a “pila” as many Mayan women do. All clothing is washed by hand and different soaps are used for different fabrics. If washed properly clothing can last up to ten years.
learned that the Maya people very much honor their culture and traditions of their ancestors. Many tasks are still done manually and require a great deal of effort.
Launched in 2014, Catholic Sisters Week invites communities to celebrate, learn about, and express gratitude for the lives and vocations of Catholic sisters. Throughout the week, congregations and organizations host events, share stories, highlight ministries, and promote vocations, helping others better understand religious life today.