PORTLAND — Bishop Robert Deeley began his first Holy Week as the 12th bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland with the celebration of Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Sunday morning, April 13.

“I think we can all find ourselves in the story of Jesus’ Passion,” said Deeley, during his homily. “Once we have, the events we recall this week as we walk with Jesus in his Passion become more real for us. He dies for us, for each of us. And when we find ourselves and our own sin in the story, it does not give us reason to despair. The story is full of hope and promise. Jesus forgives us. All we need to do is ask.”  

Parishioners were given palm branches as they entered the cathedral. The gospels described how palm branches were used by the people to welcome Jesus as king during his triumphal entry into the holy city of Jerusalem. The branches often decorate the homes of Catholics and other Christians; then, the following year, those same palms are burned, thus providing the ashes to be distributed on Ash Wednesday.

Holy Week is the final week of Lent in which Catholics commemorate the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, the Passion and death of Christ on Good Friday, and the resurrection on Easter Sunday. Holy Week is the most holy and solemn week of the entire year.

“I pray that this is a week of renewal for all of us as we reflect on the overwhelming love God has for each of us,” said Deeley. “That is, after all, what this week is about. It will end in the glorious day of Easter, where Jesus’ resurrection gives an answer to death and to sin.”

For Bishop Deeley’s Holy Week schedule, visit: www.portlanddiocese.org/content/bishop-deeleys-holy-week-schedule.