Pinoy Catholics troop to Churches for traditional Palm Sunday rites

Filipino Catholic faithful all over the country woke up early morning for the traditional Palm Sunday Mass with their palm fronds ready for the palm blessing service.

Catholic Holy Week, which begins from Palm Sunday and ends on Easter Sunday, marks the last week of Lent, during which Christians are called on to repent, fast, pray, and render service to the needy.

Archdiocese of Manila bishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle blessed the palms after an early morning Mass at the Manila Cathedral.

Devotees also joined the early morning Mass and palm fronds blessing at the San Diego de Alcala Cathedral in Gumaca, Quezon.

Linggo ng Palaspas sa San Diego de Alcala Cathedral sa Gumaca, Quezon. pic.twitter.com/Zwc2OyestI | @hero_peewee

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) March 25, 2018

The observance of Palm Sunday rites has been passed down for generations in the Philippines as a form of discipleship and in preparation for the Holy Week.

Palm Sunday is the feast of the commemoration Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, marking the beginning his saving ministry.

After Mass, Filipinos hang the fronds outside their houses, believing that it will ward off evil spirits.

Almost eight out of 10 Filipinos are Catholic. —LBG, GMA News