Jacob BABALOLA (Staff Writer)

Catholic worldwide on Sunday March 29, 2026 began the Holy Week with the celebration of the Palm Sunday. During the celebration at St. Anne Catholic Church, Ogbere, Ibadan, the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Stephen Balogun enjoined the parishioners to give thanks to God for witnessing another celebration of Palm Sunday as he stated that only the living can carry the Palm up.

Earlier at the beginning of the Mass, which started from Caritas International School, the Chief Celebrant, Rev. Fr. Arnaud Aniou, CSJ has drawn the attention of the faithful to two important symbols entailed by the celebration of Palm Sunday. The symbols are: Christ’s sitting on both Donkey and Colt as read in the gospel and the palm branches in the faithful’s hands. Bible scholars, according to Fr. Aniou reasoned that the first stage of the event was on the hill, hence Jesus used the Donkey to descend to Jerusalem and down the hill, He used Colt, which is a sign of humility to symbolize what He has come for. For the palm branches, it was stated that in an ancient culture, palm branches are used to celebrate victory and kingship.

The homilist, Fr. Balogun in his reflection themed: “Destined for real Greatness” stated that such greatness is possible through humility as demonstrated by Christ, who willingly accepted to die for the sake of man. He admonished the parishioners never to look down on anybody as he reasoned that no one knows whom another person is until the person’s presence is felt in the community.

The priest added that though road to greatness is rough, the faithful should never say ‘I can’t continue’. “Even when the country is not good economically, many are still making progress in one area or the other.” He said. He therefore enjoined all to pray and work like the Scripture instructed and not just praying alone. He prayed that God guides and strengthens all through the Holy Week and grants all the joy of resurrection.

The parishioners, old and young, made a procession from the school compound to the Church through the Amuloko road, singing and dancing

Also concelebrating at the Palm Sunday Mass were Rev. Frs: Esau Enger, CSJ and Vitalis Ikechuckwu, CSJ. The parish priest appreciated the Josephite priests and seminarians for choosing to celebrate the Palm Sunday in the parish.