Erin Fox
Cross made out of palm fronds. Lent is flying by and Easter is getting closer and closer. Next weekend is Palm Sunday, the last Sunday of Lent. Throughout Lent, Easter Sunday is the main day we look forward to, but Palm Sunday is just as exciting as it marks the start of Holy Week.
Palm Sunday commemorates Christ’s entry into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey while welcomed by the crowds who waved palm branches, before his arrest, trial, crucifixion and resurrection. It’s a day when people were overwhelmed with joy to see Jesus; much like his disciples were overjoyed when he rose again on Easter Sunday.
Next Sunday, after you get your palms at Mass, come up with different ways to make the most of them this Easter. After Easter time has ended, you can return the palms to your local church as they can burn them for ashes next Ash Wednesday.
In some countries they are displayed in windows and doorways to welcome Jesus and all people of good faith. Keep the palms from Mass and display them in your home for the Easter period. Remember to take only a few palms; one per family member, to save some for your fellow parishioners.
You can start making your own palm crosses this weekend, so they are ready in time for the following Sunday. Use these for different Easter-themed crafts. Don’t worry if you can’t get real palms to make them, some paper will do.
To make your own palms you’ll need a long strip of paper and some scissors.
Fold the long strip of paper in half but not equally, so that one side is shorter than the other. To make the arms, fold the long side back at a 45 degree angle for the first arm of the cross.
Keep in mind that you’re folding backwards. Now fold it again all the way round the body of the cross back to the original 45 degree fold. This makes the second arm of the cross. You should now have a simple cross shape. Now glue everything into place to secure the cross.
If you’re making an Easter wreath, Palm Sunday is the perfect time to start making one, so include some of your homemade palm crosses to fix onto the wreath.