Sebi hangs palms at the door of her house to mark Palm Sunday celebration despite not being able to attend church due to the MCO.
SIBU: Some Catholics in Sibu hang palm leaves on their doors to mark the celebration of Palm Sunday yesterday.
With the Movement Control Order (MCO) in force due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) threat, the faithful were homebound and had to follow the Palm Sunday mass via live streaming on Facebook.
The Catholic Diocese of Sibu on its website stated that Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week for Christians, the week preceding Easter Sunday.
On Palm Sunday, Christians celebrate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem several days before his death.
According to the Gospel, the people of Jerusalem spread palm branches on the road to welcome Jesus as he rode a donkey into the city.
The Borneo Post reporter Jane Moh lamented that she could not join the Palm Sunday procession and mass with other Catholics as usual and had to follow the proceedings through the Internet.
“This morning, I had to join the Palm Sunday mass via the live streaming.
“There is, of course, something missing…I watched Archbishop Simon Poh bless the palms in front of him… and I did not have a palm. But I think, despite that, spiritually, we are all united. I think every Catholic feels the same way…how we wish to be together,” she said in a WhatsApp message.
Jane, who attends Saint Mary’s Church here, also noted some of her friends decorated their houses with palms.
A teacher, Sebi Kilat, said she is grateful to be able to celebrate Palm Sunday with her family at home despite not being able to attend mass at church.
“It is more joyful if it is celebrated at church like previous years.
“But this year we have to obey the MCO,” she added.