- Title: Filipino Catholics celebrate Palm Sunday rites
- Date: 9th April 2017
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Filipino) DEVOTEE AND RETIRED POLICEMAN, ERNESTO UBAN, SAYING: "Doing this cleanses my soul. So, if you have sinned so much, He will forgive you"
- Embargoed: 23rd April 2017 04:00
- Keywords: Philippines palm sunday easter holy week Catholic religious
- Location: MANILA, PHILIPPINES
- City: MANILA, PHILIPPINES
- Country: Philippines
- Topics: Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA0026BOFCD5
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Filipino Catholic devotees had palm fronds blessed before Palm Sunday (April 9) service.
Catholic Holy Week, which begins from Palm Sunday and ends on Easter Sunday, marks the last week of Lent, during which Christians are called on to fast, pray and give alms to the needy.
The practice of having palm fronds blessed has been passed down for generations in the Philippines as a form of discipleship and in preparation for the Holy Week.
After mass, Filipinos hang the fronds outside their houses in a believe that it will ward off evil spirits.
Almost eight out of 10 Filipinos are Catholic. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2017. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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