Palm Sunday, Year C, the beginning of Holy Week

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

"Hosanna to the Son of David;
blessed is he who comes
in the name of the Lord,
the King of Israel.
Hosanna in the highest."

(Antiphon to the Procession)

(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)

This is what the people of Jerusalem said when Jesus entered Jerusalem. What were they saying?

Hosanna: this is an expression of adoration, praise, or joy, a little like "hurray!"

Son of David: Do you remember about King David? He was a very special king. The Messiah was to come from his family. The Jews call Jesus the Son of David. (That didn't mean that He was his actual son; it meant He was a descendant, like a great-great grandson, or great-great-great-great.... grandson.

"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." Who is coming in the name of the Lord? Who says that He comes in the name of the Lord? (Jesus.)

"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." "Hosanna in the highest." Where have we heard these words before? Yes, at Mass. In a special prayer that we all pray together, called the Sanctus, or Holy, Holy. We pray it before we kneel for the consecration, which is the very special part of Mass when Father prays the words that turn the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus.

They Jews praised Jesus when He entered Jerusalem. We praise Jesus before He comes to us in the bread and the wine, in His Body and Blood.

Thank you, Jesus, for coming in the name of the Lord. Thank you for coming to us at Mass.

(Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)

(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."