Para la versión en español, haga clic aquí.
Palm Sunday is the only occasion during the Liturgical Year, besides Good Friday, on which we listen to the Gospel of the Passion of Christ. We recall Jesus’ grief and anguish while he was at the Garden. He who commanded the storm and the wind and who told others not to be afraid is now gripped by sadness. The sin of the world weighs upon his heart as a heavy rock.
We follow Jesus to Calvary, where he cried with a loud voice, saying, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” His suffering was beyond the scourging marks on his back and the wounds on his head, hands, and feet. While he was at the Cross, his very heart was distressed and in pain.
Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM, Cap., explains that Jesus is still on the Cross in all the innocents that suffer, in the poor and vulnerable. Jesus is nailed to the Cross in all the refugees and the victims of war. Father Cantalamessa suggests that we become like Joseph of Arimathea (who went to Pilate and ask for permission to take Jesus’ body down from the Cross) and defy public opinion to reach out to the marginalized, the suffering, and the poor. “For some of these ‘crucified’ of today, the awaited ‘Joseph of Arimathea’ could be me or could be you.”
Lord Jesus, grant us the courage to reach out to those who are suffering, so we can be an instrument of your love in their lives. By your grace, may we bring to them a glimpse of the promised joy of your Resurrection. Amen.
Every week in the GROW newsletter, you will find helpful tips for teaching your Gospel Weeklies lesson, a reflection on the Sunday Gospel, and links to many online resources.
Videos of the Sunday Gospel (Luke 19:28–40 and Luke 22:14—23:56)
Use these videos as you discuss the Sunday Gospel. Please preview all videos you plan to share with your class:
• Holy Heroes – Palm Sunday
• Gospel Reading and Reflection for Kids
• Bishop Barron on Palm Sunday
• Dominick the Donkey – Palm Sunday
• Lego Palm Sunday Movie
Holy Week Videos
• Holy Week in Three Minutes
• Holy Week in Two Minutes
• Holy Week (Seeds, Promise, Good News)
• Holy Week Explained (Venture, Visions)
• Holy Heroes – Holy Thursday
• Holy Heroes – Good Friday
Videos for Lent
• Lent: Catholic Central
• Lent in 3 Minutes
• Cardinal Timothy Dolan: What Is Lent?
• What Is Lent?
• 10 Fun Things You Might Not Know About Lent
• Faith, Fun, and Celebration: Lent Episode (featuring John Burland)
• Songs to Journey with Jesus during Lent, Featuring Miss Heidi and John Burland
• The Stations of the Cross with Bishop Barron (you may wish to show this in segments to your group, or select one or two stations at a time)
• The Catholic VR Experience: The Stations of the Cross (Virtual Reality)
Jubilee 2025: Pilgrims of Hope Resources
• Jubilee 2025 activities, handouts, resources, and more
Seeds
Lesson Theme: We welcome Jesus.
For this lesson, you will need scissors, tape, craft sticks (four per child), a palm branch, a Church Year calendar, and a story coloring page (one per child). We suggest having at least one aide to help with cutting and taping.
For the doctrine section of the lesson, it might be a good idea to have a picture of Pope Francis and your pastor, so children may become familiar with them.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Extending Activities
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
• Gospel Reflections and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi
• Kid-Sized Lessons on the Sunday Gospel with Mrs. Cole (Bible Bag)
• Holy Week
Promise
Lesson Theme: We remember Holy Week.
For this lesson, gather crayons, drawing paper, a palm branch, a Church Year calendar, and copies of the story coloring page (one per child).
In this lesson, we focus on the terms Holy Communion, Lord’s Day, Mass, and sacrament in the What the Church Believes and Teaches Catechism handbook (see gold box on page TG4-23). It’s not too early to emphasize that Jesus is really present in the host and wine shared at Mass. You may wish to downplay Body and Blood in favor of Real Presence (really with us) for these young concrete thinkers.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
• Gospel Reflections and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi
• Kid-Sized Lessons on the Sunday Gospel with Mrs. Cole (Bible Bag)
• Holy Week
Good News
Lesson Theme: Jesus died to save us.
For this lesson, gather scissors, pencils, and a Church Year calendar. Prepare seven sheets of drawing paper with one of the letters of the word WELCOME written large on each one. These will be used in the Words of Welcome activity.
For the Stations of the Cross activity, you may wish to take the children to the church to walk and pray the Stations of the Cross. If you are unable to make a church visit, you may wish to share the YouTube video “Children’s Stations of the Cross” (10 minutes), “Lego The Stations of the Cross” (3 minutes), or “Pray the Stations of the Cross: A Short Way of the Cross” (8 minutes). As with all videos, we suggest that you preview them in advance of sharing them with the children.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Video
• Holy Week
Venture
Lesson Theme: Jesus died to save us.
For this lesson, gather pens or pencils; markers, crayons, or colored pencils; scissors; simple snacks (optional); parish Holy Week liturgy schedule; Bibles (one per child); notecards for the Palm Sunday Gospel; basin; towel; pitcher of water; and a Liturgical Year calendar.
The children will walk in the steps of Jesus in this Holy Week lesson. Make sure to discuss the emotions of this week—from the jubilation of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem to betrayal, fear, and sadness. This is not a story meant for just 2,000 years ago; it is our story, the story of our salvation. Give the children the opportunity to act out the scenes of Jesus’ Passion and Death. Learning with all their senses will help them remember the story and make it their own.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Video
• Holy Week Explained
Visions
Lesson Theme: Jesus’ Passion and Death
For this lesson, gather pens or pencils, scissors, Bibles (one per student), parish bulletin for schedule of Holy Week liturgies, samples of palm activities (page 8), palms for students, and simple props and costumes for the Passion story (optional).
The young people will walk in the steps of Jesus in this Holy Week lesson. Make sure to discuss the emotions of this week—from the jubilation of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem to betrayal, fear, and sadness. This is not a story meant for just 2,000 years ago; it is our story, the story of our salvation. Give the young people the opportunity to act out the scenes of Jesus’ Passion and Death. Learning with more of their senses will help them remember the story and make it their own.
Consult the parish bulletin or website for the times of the Holy Week liturgies. Share the times with the young people and their families. Encourage them to meet you for one or more of these liturgies. Send palms home with the young people if time does not permit working on the projects (page 8) during class.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Video
• Holy Week Explained
Image credit: Photobank.kiev.ua/Shutterstock.com
