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Palm Sunday Path

 

MARCH 29, 2026



The sun broke out that afternoon as temperatures climbed into the 70's. At a secluded park in St. Paul, a crowd was amassing. Members of St. Thomas More Catholic Community gathered in twos and threes around Father R.J., robed in a white alb and red stole. Soon he would be surrounded by dozens waving palms and raising STM placards.

Around the park, members of other faith denominations collected, holding signs and banners proclaiming “Blessed Are the Peacemakers,” and other Scripture passages. 

It was the afternoon of Palm Sunday. Faith institutions from across Minnesota had come together to proclaim a kingdom of peace and love, modeling Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, an intentional contrast from the way Christianity is so often coopted in the public square to serve goals of exclusion and domination.



The procession kicked off at 2 p.m. and spilled from the park onto University Ave. The destination was the Minnesota State Capitol, a mile away from the launching off point. Marchers of all ages filled the east bound lanes of the street—children with hand-painted signs, parents pushing strollers, adults with walkers and canes. The mood was festive, as drivers in traffic moving in the other direction honked and waved. 



Father R.J. joined clergy from dozens of other churches to march at the head of the procession. Clergy and choir members led by a Black Choir ensemble gathered on the steps of the Capitol while the now more than 10,000 marchers filled the grounds in front. The choir led the crowd in Gospel music and inspirational call and response songs that came between the speeches and prayers.

For the next two hours, individual clergy members moved to the podium to speak about the significance of Palm Sunday to Christians at this moment in time.  

One preacher referred to another entry into Jerusalem by Pontius Pilate from a different entrance to the city on that day. The preacher spoke of the contrast between Pilate’s entry with its display of Roman power, cruelty and authority, and Jesus’ entry on a donkey proclaiming a kingdom of “healing the sick, feeding the hungry and welcoming the stranger.”



When it came time for Father R.J. to speak, he referred to an earlier homily he had given to the community in the midst of Operation Metro Surge, where he spoke about how he “was tired.” But he remarked, that afternoon he was not tired anymore. He then led a rousing call and response, and spoke about being inspired “by the energy of people whose hearts have been transformed by helping people they do not know…They’ve followed God’s command to love our brothers and sisters…to love their neighbors who are in the margins…They understand the reality of who our God calls us to be, and that love is at the heart and strength of what we do.”



The Palm Sunday Path event occurred in about 50 different locations across 15 states throughout the country. During a time of increasing unrest in the United States, the overriding goal of this action was to “reclaim true Christian values” from the distortion of White Christian Nationalism.

ISAIAH was the organizer of the Palm Sunday Path in Minnesota and STM’s Justice in Action team worked to bring almost 100 members of our community who had signed up for the event.






Reflection and captions provided by parishioner Arline Datu.


We are always looking for ways to give you, our parishioners, the opportunity to share your experiences! If you would like to submit your story, please email Marie at mvalois@morecommunity.org


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