Palm Sunday Opens in Cuzco
Every year, Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, today. On this day people celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The palms and the fervor of the population make this day a remembrance of what happened in those times. The faithful follow the activities of Holy Week closely.
From early in the morning people attend mass with palms fronds made into the form of a cross. After they are blessed by the priest people take them home as a symbol of the initiation of Holy Week. Other people prepare these fronds so that people can buy them and take them home.
The Main Square, Cuzco’s Plaza de Armas, has the biggest crowds. People come from all over to hear mass and for the priest to bless their palms. As the day advances other churches in the city perform a staging of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Every one follows this act that terminates in the door of the church.
Little ones also enjoy this day learning about all that Palm Sunday brings. After attending mass they find the vendors of products for Holy Week, such as the colorful empanadas, the sighs (meringues), and the special breads, among others.
On this day people begin by having the famous empanadas for breakfast or by enjoying something sweet for Holy Week. Like the sweetness that Jesus brought. If you could not attend mass in the morning you can do so in the afternoon since this day, especially, there are masses in a varied schedule.
This is one of the highlights of the ritual calendar of Cuzco. Enjoy this Christian feast, Palm Sunday, with its palms and its fronds, as well as the special treats of Holy Week and by teaching little ones about themeaning of the day.