Like most religious holidays here in Poland, Niedziela Palmowa (Palm Sunday) is celebrated with gusto and has been given a unique Polish flavor. Easter decorations have been for sale in shops and adorning storefronts for a week or so now, but it wasn't until we stepped outside on Palm Sunday that we really got a taste of the Polish Easter Spirit. As soon as we stepped outside of our apartment Sunday morning, we could tell that there were far more people than usual out and about, especially on a Sunday morning. The square near our apartment was very busy and there were hundreds of people walking around outside the local church.
In addition, we quickly realized that instead of receiving simple palm branches to have blessed during Mass, Poles purchase for a few złoty these elaborate, colorful, woven bunches of dried plants, palms, and flowers. Booths and tables selling these Polish palms occupy almost every street corner, especially in the vicinity of churches. Every booth had lines of people waiting to purchase their palms, and the children especially were enjoying waiving their colorgul arrangements around. Here is a shot of Susan and us with our palms, just after Mass on Sunday!
Like in the US, Palm Sunday Mass began with an outdoor blessing of the palms followed by the whole congregation processing into the church together. This was the first service at out church that was so crowded that we needed to stand in the back! For the rest of the day, throughout the city, there were tons of people milling about, most of whom were carrying their brightly-colored palm arrangements. Once again, the Polish zeal for religious celebrations was a beautiful, amazing thing in which to participate and witness, and it made us sad to realize that we will miss experiencing Easter (Wielkanoc) in Poland. But not too sad, after all...off to Rome!! Happy Easter, everyone!
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