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We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin May 7, 2023

by Terrie Evans

On this 5^th Sunday of Easter in the month of May, it is a tradition to dedicate the next 24 days to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church.  During this month, many schools and churches will honor her with May Crowning’s.  May has been the month of Mary since medieval times when April was seen as the end of winter and May was the start of a season; ripe with new growth and a time to show gratitude and devotion.   The Blessed Virgin Mary is considered by many to be the greatest of all the Christian Saints.  Pope Pius IX once stated: “God has committed to Mary the treasury of all good things, in order that everyone may know that through her are obtained every hope, every grace and all salvation.”  Mary is honored as a Spiritual Mother to people of many faiths and is the Patron Saint of all Humanity, Churches, Mothers, Blood Donors and those who work in the Travel Industry.  

Around the 18^th Century, roses were associated with Mary and became   the flowering symbol of the Virgin Birth.  In the 6^th Century, Rose windows were found in the Basilicas of Ravenna and Syria and when the Rosette or Rose Windows are displayed in the transept ends in one of those windows, they are frequently dedicated to Mary, the Mother of Jesus.  The Rose Window that many remember from St. Bonaventure Church before it was demolished is now at Immaculata Church in Mt. Adams.  The flowering rose is referenced to the Virgin Mary within the   Franciscan Order as they show their love of nature while planting roses in fields and gardens to honor Mary.  When May Crowning’s are held, we recognize Mary as the Queen of Heaven and Earth, roses will adorn her crown and, in the bouquets, placed near her statue. San Antonio Church will hold their traditional May Crowning and Mother’s Day Breakfast on Sunday, May 14^th.  All children are invited to walk in the procession before our 9:00 AM Mass and everyone is welcome in our Hall after Mass for Breakfast.       

As we continue our prayers for the Canonization of Rosa Maria Segale, Sr. Blandina, Servant of God, another young Italian woman also went on to do exceptional works within her Italian Community.   On this Sunday, May 7^th, we celebrate the Feast of St. Rosa Venerini (1656-1728) born in Viterbo, Italy, Beatified on May 4, 1952, and Canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on June 3, 2007.  At a young age she vowed to consecrate her life to God when she joined the Dominican women’s community in 1676.  She had to leave the Order because of the sudden death of her father Goffredo, brother Domenico, and mother Marzia who died within months of each other.  Rosa Maria was guided by the Jesuits who helped her combine an active apostolate and a life of contemplative prayer and by 1685 with the help of her local Bishop, Rosa opened Italy’s 1^st free public school for girls.   She knew of the need for a good education and went on to establish over 40 schools to uplift the character of young women.  She later went on to the Diocese of Montefiascone where she founded 10 schools in two years between 1692-1694.  Rosa was then asked to oversee the training of teachers and develop the administration of schools within the Archdiocese.  She started a school in Rome in 1713 and on October 24, 1716, Pope Clement XI was so impressed by her work while visiting with his 8 Cardinals, thanked her for her years of dedication stating: “Signora Rosa, you are doing that which we cannot do.  With these schools, you will sanctify Rome.”  A true testament to her work was that wherever a new school was established, moral improvement could be seen in youth.  

After the death of   St. Rosa Venerini in 1728, the women who had followed her were given the rank of a Religious Congregation, the Venerini Sisters.  They arrived in the United States in 1909 to help with the Italian Immigrants and establish day care centers just as Rosa Maria, Sr. Blandina Segale did when she established the Santa Maria Center for the new wave of immigrant Italians in Cincinnati.  The Congregation extended their Apostolic activity to India, Brazil, Cameroon, Romania, Albania, Chile, Venezuela and Nigeria.  As we invoke St. Rosa Venerini on her feast day, please pray for the Canonization of Sr. Blandina, Rosa Maria Segale.

San Antonio Church will welcome the next generations from the original early settlers of the Little Italy neighborhood of South Fairmount for the Baptism of Josephine Rose Dunn and Sofia Lynn Jeannet.  They are the Great Great Grandchildren of the Delseno and Panaro families   who established their homesteads in the Upper Lick Run section of Queen City Avenue in the late 1880’s and   are the Great Grandchildren of Linda (Delseno) and Harry Panaro.   Their many family members   include the Meier, Dunn, Arthur, Macke and Jeannet families.  Josephine Rose Dunn was born on November 29, 2022, to parents Lindsay (Meier) and Chuck Dunn, siblings, A.J. and Lee, and to Grandparents Lisa and Ted Arthur.  Sofia Lynn Jeannet was born on February 26, 2023, to parents Maria (Macke) and Fred Jeannet, siblings Dominic and Audrey, and to Grandparents Teri and Fred Jeannet and Kristi and Don Macke. The Godparents for the two cousins are their Uncle Anthony Panaro and his sister, their Aunt Stephanie Panaro.  Our church community wishes Josephine and Sofia many blessings as they are Baptized in the Catholic Church.

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin April 30, 2023

by Terrie Evans

On this 4^th Sunday of Easter, we commemorate the World Day of Prayer for Vocations.  Also known as “Good Shepherd Sunday” as a day set aside to pray that young men and women will receive a call to join communities of Religious Orders as they profess solemn vows of Poverty, Chasity and Obedience.   On this 60^th Anniversary of World Day of Prayer for Vocations, please pray for those Seminarians within the Archdiocese of Cincinnati who will gather at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains later this month for their Ordination.  These Seminarians were prepared spiritually, intellectually and apostolically for their reception of Holy Orders.  Their journey started as the future candidates for Catholic Priesthood focused on Biblical Studies, Pastoral and Professional Studies, Church history, Sacramental and Liturgical Studies, Systemic and Moral Theology.  The Seminary also integrates the 4 Pillars or Dimensions of Formation: Human, Spiritual, Pastoral, and Intellectual, as part of their 112 Semester Hours in these areas of Study.  Those Seminarians who will have chosen to answer God’s Call are: 

Patrick Blenman, raised in Sidney, Ohio while being home schooled attended Mass at Holy Angels Church where he was an Altar Server.  While attending a Youth and Family Encounter Conference in Atlanta, at the age of 12, Patrick was inspired by Father Matthew Van Smoorenburg and his Order, The Legionaries of Christ.  Patrick graduated from Lehman Catholic High School in Sidney and during his early adult years was mentored by Fr. Patrick McMullen, Fr. Daniel Schmitmeyer, Fr. Jason Bedel, Fr. Daniel Hess, and Fr. Shawn Landenwich.  As he is Ordained and becomes a Sacred Minister for the worship of God, Patrick has relied on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Divine Mercy with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, the Rosary and Lectio Divina to guide and strengthen him.

Isaiah Callahan grew up in Vermont with his 11 siblings and after college applied to Mount St. Mary’s Seminary.  As he began his studies, Isaiah remembers being mentored by Fr. McQuillen in his first few years at the Seminary.  While awaiting his Ordination, Isaiah relies on his daily guidance and the intercession of St. Jose Maria Escriva, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. John Bosco, Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Our Lady of Lourdes as he starts his journey.

Alex Dugas who was raised in the Dayton, Ohio in the suburb of Huber Heights while attending St. Peter Church.  Alex felt a call while in college to give his life to the Lord and had the two priests who inspired him were Fr. Frank Amberger and Fr. Sean Wilson who he says had a “profound impact on him” with their leadership and friendship. Throughout his early years, Alex developed a deep devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. Francis De Sales.

Stephen Hughes was born in Trenton, Ohio about 45 minutes north of Cincinnati where he attended Holy Name Parish until the Hughes family relocated to New Carlisle where they joined Sacred Heart Parish.  He was homeschooled all through grade school; then attended Graham High School, Bowling Green State University and served in the Air Force for 3 years before entering the Seminary.  With guidance from his Spiritual Director, Fr. David Sunberg,   Stephen’s journey to the Priesthood and with his Ordination; he will become a mentor to his parishioners and bring the Sacraments to all the faithful.   

            Jonathan Jergens, a Miamisburg, Ohio native; attended Our Lady of Good Hope Church where he was an Altar Server.   He joined the Army in 2003 and was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan six times with many experiences and memories of being a Paratrooper and Jumpmaster while he proudly served and defended his country.  He was inspired by mentors, Fr. Thomas Nevels, Fr. James Romanello, Fr. Ben Bruening, and Fr.  Andrew Reckers.  He also thanks Fr.  Mark Watkins from St.  Lawrence Church for providing him lodging for two summers while he was in the first two years of the Seminary.   

Jeff Stephens attended St. Susanna in Mason, Ohio, and graduated from the University of Cincinnati.  He then joined the FOCUS Missionary, and it was during those years, “God opened his heart to the Priesthood.”  Jeff took his time as he spent several years as a Missionary and a Dominican Novice before making his final decision.  While concentrating on his Seminary studies, Jeff prayed special devotions to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. Rita, and St. Padre Pio.  

David Duy Tran was raised in Delhi and while attending St. Dominic School, felt he was being called to the priesthood at the age of eight.  David is the oldest of 5 boys   born to parents who are 1^st generation immigrants from Vietnam.   His grandmother was his big influence who taught him the Rosary and recited prayers in Vietnamese.  David’s Parents, Brothers and Grandmother attended Mass with him every Sunday, on Feast Days, and Holidays. In Vietnamese families, when a son chooses the Priesthood, it is seen as an honor, to be bestowed on the whole family, more admirable than becoming a doctor, engineer or pharmacist.  David Duy Tran is a member of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish Liberty Township, and his favorite devotions are Eucharist Adoration, The Sacred Heart of Jesus and Our Lady of Perpetual Help.  The Rosary, The Litany of St. Joseph and the Chaplet of St. Michael are always included in his daily prayers. 

Our San Antonio Church Community sends their prayers to all these young men who have chosen a life where they will never be ”off the clock,” A Prayer we can recite on this Good Shepard Sunday: “God Our Father, We thank you for calling men and women to serve in your Son’s Kingdom as Priests, Deacons, and Consecrated Persons.  Send your Holy Spirit to help others to respond generously and courageously to your call.  May our community of faith support vocations of sacrificial love in our youth and young adults.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.”  On Sunday, May 7^th we will welcome the Jeannet and Dunn Families as they Baptize their daughters Sofia Lynn Jeannet and Josephine Rose Dunn after our 9:00 AM Mass.

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin April 23, 2023

by Terrie Evans

This coming Friday, April 28^th, the men from San Antonio Church will welcome all men to our Hall for an evening of good food and friendship by celebrating the annual “Mussie Fest”.  This event dates back many years to unite men from the old neighborhood families and new members to our church as a way form the bonds to keep our church going.  In past years, men would travel from all over the tri-state to connect with their St. Bonaventure classmates who were the first generation of Italian American who grew up in the “Little Italy” South Fairmount.  One of those men Richard “Mussie” Minella grew up with many of these men from the area took on the role of reaching out to all those connected to Lick Run with all the streets and alleyways surrounding the church.  Those boys, now men grew up with each other – their stories and tales uniting them forever.  Many of those men are no longer with us. 

Now the next generation is planning an evening of fun and camaraderie.  The Men of San Antonio Church invite all men, their sons, grandsons, nephews and friends to this last Friday evening on April 28^th to unite for the purpose of keeping our church going.  The San Antonio Church Hall will open at 5:00 PM; the cost is $20.00 per person at the door – all you can eat.   Please call Dave Sabatelli at 513-405-6444 to reserve one of the 125 spots for a homemade Italian dinner.  The dinner will include the following:  Antipasto, Pepperoni Chicken, Italian sausage with peppers and onions also pasta with homemade meatballs and Italian bread.  Remember the food will be fabulous and you will be making memories to share at next years “Mussie Fest.”  Mangia! – Mama would say.

            The next big event scheduled for San Antonio Church will be our participation in the Cincitalia Fest on the weekend of June 2-4^th (Friday through Sunday).  We will bring back our popular Bruschetta Booth that became a favorite of all the festival goers in years past.  St. Catherine of Sienna is hosting the event that attracts patrons from all over the greater Cincinnati area that takes place at Harvest Home Park at 3691 North Bend Road in Cheviot, Ohio.  On this 11^th year of the festival, 12,000-15,000 guests are expected to attend.  The family event was started to celebrate all aspects of Italian and Italian American food and culture to help keep and honor the accomplishments and traditions of our ancestors.

The local vendors and their food service booths that signed up for the fest are:  Cincitalia Grill/Fried Food Both offering:  Italian Sausage and Pepper Sandwiches, Italian Beef Sandwiches, and their popular hamburgers, hot dogs, brats and Mets.  The Cincitalia pasta Booth serves:  Lasagna, Penne Pasta and a Tortellini Salad.  The Cincitalia Wine and Dessert Booth for the delicious Tiramisu and Limoncello Cake to complete the meal.  The La Rosa’s Pizza Truck prepares Pizza and Rondo’s offers their delicious pizza and one of a kind Rondo’s everyone loves.  Our San Antonio Church Booth serving the grilled Ciabatta bread topped with the delicious Bruschetta Tomato mixture.  The La Societa de Fuscaldese Femminile who are known as the “Cookie Queens” will sell Cannoli’s and Cookies from their Bakery Booth.  The Unites Italian Society will offer their homemade Arrosticini, Spiedini, Italian Salad and Antipasto Cups.    Besides sampling many delicious items, there will be cooking demonstrations with local chefs that is always a crowd pleaser.  The committee from St. Catherine’s of Sienna will add more vendors to their fest and we will let everyone know when more information is released. 

The parishioners of San Antonio Church are pleased that Harry Panaro has taken the task to run the booth this year that not only benefits our church but proceeds from each booth aids St. Catherines School.  Harry will need many volunteers to set up the booth on Friday and handle the many shifts to make this weekend a success.  Please consider being a part of this major fundraiser that also promotes our church.  Our booth workers have made many connections and new friends by working and attending the Cincitalia Fest that starts on Friday, June 2^nd from 6PM-Midnight, Adult Only Carnevale Night with live music.  Saturday, June 3^rd Fest starts at 3PM and runs until Midnight with live music and dancing.   Sunday’s events start at 1:00 PM   with a religious procession, cooking demonstrations and Italian Dancing.   During the Month of May there will be sign-up sheet in the Hall at San Antonio during the month so all the slots will be covered for the Fest. We need everyone’s help so, please get involved in this fundraiser.    For any questions, please give Harry Panaro a call at Cell 513-260-3371 or Home 513-922-0779.

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin April 16, 2023

by Terrie Evans

    Our San Antonio Church Community send their condolences and prayers to the Romelli Family in the passing of Patrick Nicholas Romelli Sr. on March 28, 2023, at the age of 83.  Pat was raised in the Little Italy section of South Fairmount at 2164 Queen City Avenue with parents, the late Joseph and Caroline (Bonaventura) Romelli, sister Fern (Romelli) Roberto 1931-2010, older brother, Roy Romelli 1934-2022.  The Romelli Family spent their time in South Fairmount supporting San Antonio Church and connecting with cousins from the Smeraldo, Ventre and Di Stasi families.  There were many Sunday gatherings held on Biegler Street to unite the large Bonaventure family members for homemade Italian dinners followed by horseshoes and a good game of poker played by the men.  Patrick was 11 years old, and Roy was then 17 when their big Sis, Fern wed a young man from the neighborhood, Louis Roberto on April 4, 1951, forever uniting another big Italian family to the Romelli clan.  Patrick would attend Western Hills High School with other first generation Italian Americans from Lick Run and graduate in 1958.  He married Mary Ann Thomas at the age of 22 and was wed for 61 years before his passing. 

During those early years, Patrick would graduate from the Central Academy of Commercial Art and work as an illustrator in the advertising field in commercial design and pre-digital illustration.  Being very talented, Pat went on to start his own business that flourished over the years.  During this time, Pat also designed our new San Antonio Marquee for the church’s 75^th Anniversary and the dedication of the Memorial Brick Garden.   He then started a new venture by creating hundreds of paintings sold at galleries and shows sponsored by Arts Wave in Cincinnati while working from a studio overlooking Music Hall and Washington Park, places that gave him much inspiration.   During the month of April in 2016, Pat showed his new works that connected the “lush intensity of 19^th Century Impressionism” with scenes of Cincinnati and works from his travels abroad. 

Pat once established residence in the lush location of Tuscany that inspired much of his new work especially the depiction of a Fishing Village in Italy.  In 2018, Dale Wolf wrote in the style of Patrick Romelli for the Cincinnati Art Club saying his paintings express many emotions from his broad strokes and use of color.  In all his paintings, Patrick Romelli captures the physical beauty of each subject in the impressionist style as he did for the 100^th Anniversary beautiful likeness of San Antonio Church that we offered for the fundraiser to benefit our church.  He captured the true essence of our building as he did in the many Cincinnati scenes such as Union Station, Washington Park, the Delta Queen and Zips Café.  Another beautiful work is the 18×24 signed oil painting of the Gazebo and Fountain in Eden Park.  His work has been enjoyed and hangs in many homes throughout the country.   

Patrick loved his family and being a father to Jennifer (Steve) Turman, Caroline (Mike) Waddle, Patrick (Tawnya) Romelli and Thom (Diane) Romelli and their families.  His grandchildren Frank (Emily) Turman, Alex (Gabby) Turman, Margaret Turman, Jessica (Justin) Multhauf, Michael (Danielle Rains) Waddle, Jackson (Sarah) Romelli, Audrey Romelli, Grace Romelli, Rocco Romelli, and Elise Romelli.  Patrick was a very hands-on Great Grandpa to Avery Turman, Brooks Turman, Cecilia Turman, Louisa Turman, Jonah Waddle and Juniper Waddle.  He also leaves many family members from his brother Roy and Barbara Romelli’s and Fern and Lou Roberto’s Families (Lou Ann, Gina, Tina, Vincent.  He also played the piano, accordion, jazz and jamming with his brother Roy and kept the friends he nurtured since childhood.  Patrick Romelli will be missed by all he was a true renaissance man.  The Romelli Family held a private Funeral Service at Spring Grove Funeral Home on Friday, April 7, 2023, with a memorial Mass held at San Antonio Church in the near future.  Please keep their family and friends in your prayers.  

There are plans in the making for the Annual “Mussie Fest” to be held on Friday evening, April 28^th.  The men of San Antonio Church will welcome parishioners, family members and new and old friends for an evening of good food and memories from the old neighborhood.  They will remember those who have passed, especially Bob Studt and Roy and Pat Romelli.  The dinner costs $20 a person and can accommodate only 125 men so please plan soon for the yearly event.  The Mussie Fest supports San Antonio Church so please call Dave Sabatelli at 513-405-6444 to make a reservation.

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin April 9, 2023

by Terrie Evans

Welcome to San Antonio Church as we celebrate Easter or Resurrection Sunday with our 9:00 A.M. Mass.  Our parishioners welcome Easter Sunday with, “Buona Pasqua”; as other Easter services typically begin with the Paschal greeting “Christ is Risen” and the response from the faithful is “He is Risen indeed, Alleluia”.   Easter, also called “Pascha” is the beginning of the Easter Season that will last seven weeks until May 28^th, Pentecost Sunday.   The liturgical season from Easter to the Sunday after Pentecost known as the Pentecost Arion taken from a Byzantine Rite Book; contains the prospers of the moveable feasts in the period between Easter and the week after Pentecost.  The week following Easter Sunday is called Easter Week or the Octave of Easter with every day of the week after Easter Sunday will be prefaced with Easter, as Easter Monday, Easter Tuesday, etc.   The date of Easter was fixed by means of the local Jewish lunisolar calendar which is consistent with the celebration of Easter having entered Christianity during its earliest Jewish period.  Easter is linked to Passover and the Exodus from Egypt that is recorded in the Old Testament through the Last Supper and the sufferings and the crucifixion that preceded Jesus’ Resurrection. 

The traditional liturgical observance for Easter Sunday is practiced among Roman Catholics, Lutherans and some Anglicans that begins on the night of Holy Saturday with the Easter Vigil that follows an ancient liturgy which includes symbols of light, candles, water with readings from the Old and New Testament.  In other denominations such as the Methodist Church, there will be Easter Sunrise Services with some starting in cemeteries to recall and remember the biblical narrative of the Gospels.  In the Eastern Orthodox Church, services begin on late Saturday evening with a darkened church as parishioners wait in anticipation for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  At midnight, the Priest will light a candle then the altar servers will light candles as the procession moves three times around the church to represent the three days in the tomb.  The Orthodox service with all parishioners holding lit candles will last to the early hours of Easter Sunday morning with another traditional service to be held later in the day on Easter. 

On this Resurrection Sunday, we light our new blessed Pascal Candle that will be used during the following liturgical year.  The Pascal Candle symbolizes the light of Christ rising in glory that scatters the darkness of sin and death.  The Paschal Candle has a cross, Alpha and Omega (the beginning and the end) and the numerals of the current year displayed on it.   Grains of incense and wax “Nails” are affixed at the ends of the crossbars and in the center of the cross to be placed near the pulpit or the altar.  During the 50 days of the Easter Season the Candle will be lit until the Solemnity of Pentecost.   

There are many items associated with Easter such as the Lily that reminds us that all the events of Jesus’ life point to His death and Resurrection.  A popular symbol is the Lamb often used to represent Christ which is also seen as good luck.  Another Easter symbol is the egg which is an ancient symbol of new life, rebirth, spring and a new beginning.  In early Christianity, it was forbidden to eat eggs during Lent as eggs were associated with the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus. 

In the Christian Community of Mesopotamia where the custom of the Easter Egg originated, the eggs were stained red in memory of the blood of Christ that was shed at His crucifixion.  In many Italian homes, eggs will be colored on Holy Saturday a tradition that started in Italy around 1400, when Italians started dying Easter eggs by staining them with flowers, herbs and vegetables of different colors.  They would use violets to color an egg purple or onion skins to dye them a bright golden hue.  In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Easter Eggs in families baskets are blessed by their Priests along with other foods forbidden during the Great Lent for distribution in church or to give in celebration of Easter.  The Easter Egg for Christians symbolizes an empty tomb.

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin April 2, 2023

by Terrie Evans

On this 5^th Sunday of Lent, we observe Palm Sunday to commemorate the entrance of Christ into Jerusalem.  According to the Gospels, Jesus Christ rode on a donkey, considered an animal of peace into Jerusalem with throngs of   those celebrating faithful laying down their cloaks and small branches of trees in front of him.  In ancient times, it was customary to cover in some way the path of an individual who is considered of the highest honor.   This Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week and the final week if Lent as Palm Sunday combines the Jerusalem custom of blessing palms and the Roman custom of proclaiming the Passion.  Palm branches, symbolizing goodness and victory were placed in his path before His arrest on Holy Thursday and His Crucifixion on Good Friday. 

In Christian denominations, palm branches are blessed with Holy Water and carried into churches   for worshipers to receive the fresh palm leaves on Palm Sunday and in the Catholic Church, these blessed palms are seen as sacramentals.  Also referred to as Passion Sunday with scarlet red vestments worn and displayed on the altar to indicate the sacrifice Christ would endure as he entered the city to fulfill his Passion and Resurrection in Jerusalem.  Before the revision of the liturgical calendar at Vatican II, these last two weeks of the Lenten Season were once called Passiontide.  This 5^th Sunday of Lent is also referred to as Judica Sunday from the entrance antiphon of the Mass.  In Germany during Lent, the custom is to veil crucifixes and statues with violet cloths but, on this 5^th Sunday of Lent, Palm Sunday  referred to as Black Sunday all veiled coverings will be changed to black for Holy Week.  

            On Palm Sunday, the tradition is for Christians to take these blessed palms into their homes to hang them next to pictures of their patron saints, or other Christian art. Many families will make crosses to decorate their homes or place some palms above their doorways while others will visit their loved ones graves on Palm Sunday.  These palms will be saved until the beginning of Lent and will be burned on Shrove Tuesday the following year for distributions of ashes used on Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. 

In many parts of Europe there are old practices that are still held in towns and villages on Palm Sunday.  In Belgium, a procession of townspeople will take place with residents dressed as the Twelve Apostles.  They will carry a wooden statue of Christ as the children go door to door to offer palms in exchange for a donation to the church.  In England, during ancient times, a straw effigy (Judas) as a way to show revenge on Judas Iscariot   would later be burned on Palm Sunday for his betrayal of Christ.  In Northern England, and some parts of Scotland,  a traditional dinner will be served with carlin (field)  peas (mushy pea)  brough to England during the siege of 1327 that are boiled then fried.  In Ireland, Domhnach an Iuir or Yew Sunday as yew, silver fir, spruce or cypress will be used as real palm leaves are not available due to the cold climate.  In 1940, St. Patrick’s Day and Palm Sunday fell on the same day.  This coincidence “when the shamrock and the palm are worn together” will not occur again until the year 2391. 

In Italy, palm branches along with olive branches will be placed above the doorway until the year.  In Malta Hadd il-Palm is celebrated with the blessing of palm and olive leaves as they adorn their statues while reciting  “Jesus prays in the Olive Garden” (Gesu fl Ort) and the “Betrayal of Judas” (Bewsa ta Guda).  In the towns and villages throughout Poland, competitions are held for the biggest artificial highest palm, the highest was 33.39 meters 110 feet in the year 2008.