The glorious entry of Christ into Jerusalem continues to be commemorated by the Church in every liturgical year. This historic event which marks the beginning of the last days of Jesus’ life on earth is celebrated as Palm Sunday; an occasion which brings together the triumphal procession of Christ as King and the proclamation of His Passion. Hence, it becomes a day when all Christ’s faithful are invited to reflect on the Jesus’ final words and deeds on earth, the mystery of His Death, Burial and Resurrection. The liturgical calendar for the year 2018 (Year B) indicates the 25th of March, 2018, as the designated date for the commemoration of this year’s Palm Sunday celebration, meant to be honoured by the Universal Church.

In union with the Church, the Seminary of Saints Peter and Paul, Bodija, Ibadan, began her observance of the celebration at exactly 6:45am on the aforementioned date. The celebration which had the Rector, Very Rev Fr. Dr. Francis Adesina as the Chief Celebrant began with a procession from the sacristy (one which included the various functionaries, three deacons, and other concelebrating priests) to the venue where the people were gathered. The celebration of the Holy Mass began at this venue with the initial rites of the blessing the palm branches, and the proclamation of the Gospel, the reception of the palm fronds by the Chief Celebrant, and the delivering of a brief homily. Afterwards, the Deacon invited the entire congregation for the procession using the words in the Roman Missal: Let us go forth in peace, and the people responded: In the name of Christ. Amen. The procession led into the seminary chapel, and there was a continuation of the other parts of the Mass. The Palm Sunday celebration was indeed one that brightened the atmosphere of the Seminary community, as all sang praises to Jesus, the King and Messiah.