The Blessing of the Palms

Rev. Scott Haynes

The Blessing of the Palms, as preserved in the Traditional Roman Rite, is a solemn liturgical act that anticipates the triumphal entrance of Christ into Jerusalem. The ceremony is rich with scriptural references, typology, and ancient prayers that reveal its profound theological depth. The rite includes readings from Exodus and the Gospel accounts of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, along with a series of blessings that consecrate the palms as sacramentals for the faithful. Among these prayers, one in particular stands out for its scriptural allusions and theological richness:

We beseech Thee, O holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, that Thou wouldst vouchsafe to bless ✠ and hallow ✠ this creature of the olive tree, which Thou didst cause to shoot out of the substance of the wood, and which the dove when returning to the ark brought in its mouth: that whosoever shall receive it may find protection of soul and body; and that it may be to us, O Lord, a saving remedy and the sacred sign of Thy grace.

The Typology of the Palm Blessing

The scriptural foundations of this prayer illuminate its meaning. The reference to the olive branch carried by the dove after the flood (Genesis 8:11) points to peace, divine mercy, and the restoration of communion between God and man. St. Augustine sees in the dove an image of the Holy Spirit, bringing peace to the soul cleansed by baptism (Sermon 96, PL 38:584). The olive tree, from which the branch is taken, signifies divine blessing, as seen in the anointing of kings and prophets with olive oil, culminating in Christ, the Anointed One (Psalm 44:8, LXX).

The reading from Exodus 15:27; 16:1-7 recalls the journey of the Israelites after crossing the Red Sea, where they came to Elim with its twelve fountains and seventy palm trees. These numbers are significant, as St. Bede interprets the twelve fountains as the teaching of the twelve Apostles and the seventy palm trees as the seventy disciples sent forth by Christ (In Lucae Evangelium Expositio, PL 92:330). This connection suggests that the palms of Palm Sunday, like those in Elim, signify the nourishment and refreshment given by Christ, the living water.

The connection to the Paschal Mystery is further deepened in the Gospel reading from John 11:47-49, 50, 53. The chief priests and Pharisees plot Christ’s death, yet their words ironically confirm the salvific necessity of His Passion: “It is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not” (John 11:50). The waving of the palms on Palm Sunday thus becomes a paradoxical sign, foreshadowing both Christ’s kingship and His impending sacrifice.

The Liturgical Action and Its Meaning

In the Traditional Roman Rite, the Blessing of the Palms includes five prayers before the distribution. These prayers emphasize the mystical meaning of the palms as a sacramental. The prayer quoted above explicitly connects the blessed branches with divine protection and healing:

“that whosoever shall receive it may find protection of soul and body.” 

St. Gregory the Great, commenting on sacramentals, writes:

“What is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer imparts grace and drives away spiritual afflictions” (Homiliae in Evangelia, PL 76:1165).

Following the blessings, the palms are distributed to the faithful, who hold them in procession as the clergy chant the Gospel from Matthew 21:1-9. This passage recounts Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where the crowds proclaim:

“Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord” (Matthew 21:9).

This acclamation fulfills the prophecy of Zechariah:

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Sion, shout for joy, O daughter of Jerusalem: Behold thy king will come to thee, the just and saviour: he is poor, and riding upon an ass” (Zechariah 9:9).

The act of waving the palms, then, is a public acknowledgment of Christ as King and Messiah, even as His Passion looms.

The Palm as a Sign of Victory and Martyrdom

In Christian tradition, the palm is also a sign of victory, not only in Christ’s triumphant entry but also in martyrdom. The early Church depicted martyrs holding palms in art and on tombstones, symbolizing their participation in Christ’s victory over death (Revelation 7:9). St. Cyprian of Carthage declares:

“The servants of God, holding the palms of victory in their hands, are crowned with heavenly crowns” (Epistula 55, PL 4:355).

As a sacramental, the blessed palm continues to be a reminder of our own spiritual combat. St. Leo the Great teaches that

“Whoever follows Christ in suffering will also follow Him in glory” (Sermon 59, PL 54:340).

The palm, then, is not merely a token from a past liturgical event but a sign of our own call to perseverance in faith.

Conclusion: A Call to Christian Witness

The Traditional Blessing of the Palms is far more than a mere preparation for the Mass of Palm Sunday; it is a theological and spiritual preparation for Holy Week and beyond. The faithful who receive the palms are reminded that they are called to profess Christ as King—not only in word, but in deed. As St. Bernard of Clairvaux exhorts:

“If you wish to glory in the palm, you must first endure the Passion” (Sermones de Tempore, PL 183:179).

Thus, as we hold the blessed palm in our hands, let us recall that it is both a sign of Christ’s triumph and a call to follow Him in faith, suffering, and final victory.