A Palm Sunday with a much more special twist was celebrated by Miami residents, as the Ermita de la Caridad shrine celebrates 50 years of service to the community, so hundreds of parishioners filled the church.
Today, Holy Week officially began with Palm Sunday, the commemoration of the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, an appointment that Catholic parishioners in Miami did not want to miss.
Parishioner Guillermo Valle says he feels “really happy to be here with God”.
With songs and prayers, the mass was celebrated in the emblematic Hermitage of Charity, where a multitude of faithful came, who came with all their families and, as usual, brought olive branches .On the occasion, many remembered Pope Francis, who was hospitalized this week with bronchitis.
The 86-year-old pontiff presided over Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square after being released on Saturday.
There were thousands present who received the message from Pope Francis who thanked the people for their concern and called on Catholics to break with “the silence of indifference”.
After mass, the pope was assisted in a wheelchair, then drove for a long time in his vehicle, smiling through the crowd.
“We will pray for the pope for the health of the pope so that he recovers soon,” laments Aida Marquez. Another Miami parishioner says she wants to “hope the pope is feeling much better.”
These are the wishes that the faithful of the church send to the Vatican on a day of celebration with a special touch as the Ermita de la Caridad celebrates 50 years of service to the community in 2023.
As Holy Week progresses, the Vatican press office says the pope plans to celebrate several Masses this week, from Thursday to Easter Sunday.