St. Patrick Cathedral parishioners observe Palm Sunday amid beautiful renovations

‘Holy Week is a celebration of God’s love for us’

CHARLOTTE — The promise of the resurrection was palpable on April 2 as parishioners of St. Patrick Cathedral celebrated Palm Sunday, commemorating Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Hundreds gathered in the outdoor Marian grotto for the traditional blessing of palms and procession into the cathedral with Bishop Peter Jugis.

The anticipation of the faithful was further amplified by the unveiling of recent renovations to the cathedral (read more here), just in time for Holy Week and the days leading up to Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection at Easter.

Because Bishop Jugis wanted to experience the renovations with his flock, Palm Sunday was also the first time he saw the improvements. He noted the warmer colors, including the luminous new golden hue of the sanctuary as well as the beautiful new design painted on the rib arches. Bishop Jugis congratulated all who worked on the project, especially Father Christopher Roux, rector and pastor of St. Patrick, who led the renovation efforts.

The blessing of palms and the Palm Sunday procession date back to the earliest Church in Jerusalem. Palm branches have always been symbols of joy and victory, and in Christianity, as a sign of victory over the flesh and the world according to Psalm 91:13. The faithful carry palm branches to proclaim Jesus as King, and Palm Sunday celebrates His victory in battle – the battle for the salvation of humanity.

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In a brief homily before the procession, Bishop Jugis said, “The palms which we hold today and which we will display in our homes also signify our welcoming of our victorious king, Jesus, who also has defeated His enemies and our enemies. The greatest enemies we face are sin and death. And by his resurrection from the dead. He has defeated that enemy — death — and given us a life that does not end — everlasting life.”

During his homily at Mass, the bishop focused on God’s love for humanity. He said, “Holy Week is a sign of God’s love for us.”

However, he noted that in society today many people have distanced themselves from God’s love.

“Acts of shootings at schools, shootings at shopping malls, destruction of innocent unborn children in the womb, vandalism of property without remorse, indifference toward others, and now on an international scale throughout the world, wars and even genocide—many people are far away from God’s love, inflicting suffering and sorrow on others,” he said.

Yet there is hope.

“Despite all this we celebrate in Jesus the victory of love,” Bishop Jugis continued. “God’s love is not being eclipsed in our society. Thankfully, God’s love is very much still present. The love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us, St. Paul writes in his Letter to the Romans. God’s love makes us more human. The love of God is the secret to a happy life because God’s love conquers all.”

— Annie Ferguson. Photos by Troy Hull and James Sarkis.