Catholic faithful in Lagos joined their counterparts worldwide on Sunday to commemorate Palm Sunday, a feast that symbolises Jesus Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The event, which marks the start of the Holy Week leading up to Easter, serves to rekindle faith in God and remind believers of the majesty of Jesus Christ.
The celebrations began at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Okokomaiko with a procession, Mass, and street evangelism aimed at drawing people closer to Jesus Christ. The congregation marched jubilantly around the area, making a public declaration of God's presence. Some used the occasion to reach out to people, urging them to turn to Jesus Christ and embrace the good news of salvation.
A particularly spectacular scene unfolded at the Saints Peter and Paul parish in Tedi, Ojo Lagos. Here, the priest in charge, Rev. Fr. Anthony Thompson, encouraged the faithful to present written petitions to God, seeking healing for the nation. The followers, professing Jesus Christ as the King of Kings, approached the altar with their petitions.
The event, which attracted public interest, also saw the faithful displaying various attractive crafts made of palm fronds to signify the day. During his sermon, Thompson reminded the congregation that before Jesus was crowned King, He demonstrated perseverance and good character. He said, “It is expected of us to toe the line of Christ, for us to make it as a people and a nation."
Thompson further noted that the decorations in the church with the palm fronds are a sign of victory, and therefore, the nation's hope should not be dampened. He reassured the faithful that "the anxieties of today will not last but have come to an abrupt end with the triumph of our Lord today."