Catholics across Myanmar marked Palm Sunday with solemnity and hope, even as many communities continued to endure the devastation from a recent earthquake and the ongoing civil conflict.
In Mandalay, where the March 28 quake destroyed churches and displaced communities, Palm Sunday was observed “as a sign of resilience and Christian joy in the midst of devastation and suffering,” said Fr. John Kyaw Thu Ya, parish priest of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Yamethin.
The historic church, now reduced to rubble, became the site of a poignant Eucharistic celebration, according to a report by Vatican’s Fides News Agency.
“The church has been destroyed, but the faith of the baptised is firm, it is like the house founded on the rock,” said Fr. Kyaw Thu Ya, who chose to hold Mass in front of the collapsed building as an expression of faith and hope.
According to priests in the Mandalay Archdiocese, Holy Week rites will continue to be celebrated outdoors.
Despite being displaced, the faithful gathered with palm fronds, chanting “hosannas” and acclaiming Christ the King. It was a moment of renewed community and spiritual strength in both Mandalay and other earthquake-affected areas.
In the northern diocese of Myitkyina, Bishop John Mung Ngawn La Sam presided over Palm Sunday Mass at St. Columbun Church. He urged the faithful “not to despair, not to seek the praise of men, but the will of God.”
Reflecting on the nation’s hardships, the bishop said: “The difficulties and adversities of today are the cross we bear with the Lord Jesus, who is a blessing.”
He added, “Whenever we see and carry the cross, let us remember that the Lord Jesus is on the cross and that in the midst of our suffering, the Lord Jesus is always with us.”
In Yangon, less affected by the earthquake, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo led the Palm Sunday Mass at the cathedral. He described the celebration as one that “expresses peace, joy, humility and hope,” and called on Catholics to follow the example of the lamb, “a humble creature, obedient to God’s will.”
“Today, in a context of ‘polycrisis’ afflicting our country, we cry out to God and ask: why this suffering?” the Cardinal said. “We do not know God’s times… However, we know by faith that God’s answer for us is the resurrection.”
Melvin Aung, a Catholic youth from St. Augustine’s Church in Yangon, shared how the liturgy helped renew hope: “We remembered in prayer all the people of Myanmar, tormented by struggles and difficulties. We prayed for peace and for the healing of our nation.”
