Celebrating the passion and death of Christ

The walk which took place yesterday, began at the Society’s Head Office at Duncan Street, Port-of-Spain, and at the Cyril Ross Nursery at El Dorado Road, Tunapuna, and proceeded to the Church of the Holy Family, in Mt Lambert.

The service was led by Fr Jayson Grell who said Palm Sunday was a liturgy of “paradox and contrast”, and was the time when Christians look at the Passion of Christ.

“As Catholic Christians we really try to go into the celebrations because indeed it is a moment that it has really transformed human history. It is a moment that we should not take lightly. Even as a catholic priest I recognise the effort that the people make and as a priest, I too must make that effort,” he said

He said it has been a tradition where pilgrims come from all over Trinidad to be part of the celebration, where the people pray the rosary and meditate on the life of Jesus.

“In the first part we celebrate the triumphant entry of Jesus to Jerusalem, while the Gospel reading in the second part, talks about his “Passion” and “Death”. This reminds us of the paradoxical nature of our existence too. We are joyful as redeemed sons and daughters of God, but we experience the passion of our own sinfulness which sometimes leads us to an experience of death and the loss of meaning of our existence,” he said.

He said the event allows Christians to publicly demonstrate their faith in Jesus and show what they believe in, and how it is necessary to sacrifice for the kingdom of God.

Ruth Frazer-Munroe, chairperson for the Palm Sunday walk, said this year they have instituted road marshals. “We do not want no one to become ill along the way so therefore the people must know their limitations, and walk without feeling bad about it, if they can not make the entire walk,” she said.

She said that there were eight stations along the way, where juniors will meet and greet the pilgrims and lead them into the procession of their faith.