Ramdeen said the lowly donkey played a significant role in the event. “It is interesting historically and significant that you see the donkey playing a major role because people who would have received palms, the victors, would have ridden in on their horses or chariots, not on a donkey, which was used by simple country people. “You wouldn’t find rich people riding donkeys,”

Ramdeen said. “In fact that symbolise not only the humility of Jesus, but peace. He did not come for war like warriors who waved palms. “It really is ironical that Jesus made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem during his last week on this earth on a donkey, which became the throne for our King, the Son of God.” Ashes made by burning palm fronds kept from Palm Sunday are used on Ash Wednesday and are blessed by a priest. Ramdeen revealed that some Palm Sunday traditions are no longer being followed. “Some churches do not tie the palms into little crosses but just give you a piece of palm instead,” she said.

“I remember in times past when the priest would press the palm against your lips, then you kissed his hand. There would also be a procession through the church and around the compound and into the street. “It was a public demonstration of our faith and belief in the risen Christ. That’s how we used to do it. I don’t know if that is done now.” She continued: “Alternatively palms were just handed out by altar boys, or altar girls because now we have girls also. In certain countries and places, depending on the size of the parish, the priest distributed the palms to his congregation, but in Trinidad servers handed them out.”

Ramdeen added that there is an important lesson to be learned from how Jesus was treated by the crowds. “We must not forget about the fickleness of people. One minute they’re praising Jesus as king and the next they want to exchange him for Barabbas and have him crucified on the cross.

“If we are to live as Catholics and reflect Gospel values—there are more than 300,000 Catholics in T&T—we would change our society. We will be the leaven in the dough, we will be the light that shines. Jesus was seen as the light of world. He came for us to live like he did.”

hmmmm