Preserving Traditions on the Sunday Before Easter
On Sunday, 13th April, Passion Sunday – Palm Sunday – is observed.
by Suzana Fantov
Christians on this day commemorate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem the day before the Jewish Passover. Crowds greeted Him by waving palm and olive branches. They also laid their cloaks on the road where He rode on a donkey.
Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week. Though many customs have faded or been forgotten, some remain part of Palm Sunday in Croatian Catholic communities and centres across Australia. On this day, which leads into Holy Week and Easter, a Holy Mass is celebrated with special rites. These include a procession with palm and olive branches. They also include Gospel readings and hymns recounting Jesus’ Passion.
Blessed foliage is believed to hold dual powers: protective (against storms, illness, etc.) and fertile (ensuring good harvests and health). Traditionally, these branches were placed in fields, stables, barns, or behind holy images in homes. They were also taken to cemeteries or burned during bad weather. In parts of Dalmatia, intricately woven palm branches are carried for blessing. Olive branches, once blessed, are taken home and placed next to a crucifix.
Another custom involves washing with flower-infused water, sometimes mixed with young grains in parts of Croatia. This ritual is thought to promote health, beauty, and youthfulness.
The Palm Sunday procession dates back to the 4th or 5th century. During this time, believers gathered on the Mount of Olives and walked toward Jerusalem. They carried palm and olive branches, sang hymns, and prayed. This tradition spread westward and endures today. Hence the name Cvjetnica (Flower Sunday).
“The churches of the Croatian Catholic Centres in Australia uphold these traditions, and below we share the information we have gathered about the upcoming Palm Sunday Holy Masses:
– HKC St. Leopold Bogdan Mandić, Sunshine: Early Mass at 9:00 am; Main Mass at 11:00 am
– HKC Holy Spirit, Springvale: Mass at 9:00 am and 11:00 am; procession at 11:00 am
– HKC St. Anthony of Padua: Mass at 10:00 am; procession and branch blessing
– HKC Blacktown (Our Lady of the Croatian Great Vow): Prayers at 9:00 am; Confession at 9:00 am; Mass at 10:00 am
– HKC Geelong (Holy Family Church): Mass at 5:00 pm
– HKC St. Nicholas Tavelić, St. Johns Park, Sydney: Mass at 10:30 am
– St. Leopold B. Mandić Chapel, Gold Coast: Mass at 8:00 am
– HKC Brisbane: Mass at 10:30 am
– HKZ St. Nicholas Tavelić, Clifton Hill, Melbourne: Procession and Mass at 10:30 am
– HKC Wollongong: Mass at 10:00 am
– HKC Adelaide: Mass at 10:30 am
HKC Gold Coast
