By Ruth Ann Ruiz
The Post Newspaper Features Editor
It had been a gorgeous day and as the sun was moving behind the buildings, church bells from the historic churches in downtown Galveston rang out their melancholy tones.
There was so much in Galveston on Saturday evening that was compelling and competing for attention But, for some, gathering together at St Mary’s Cathedral Basilica to honor the Christian tradition of Palm Sunday was the most compelling.
Cardinal DiNardo came from Houston to offer the blessing of the palms on the steps of the church and officiate the Mass held inside.
With his jovial nature, he commented that on Palm Sunday that the priest speaks for a very short time.
On a more serious note, Cardinal DiNardo reminded attendees that St. Luke, who wrote the book of Luke in the New Testament, had been an outsider who converted to Christianity and that Jesus invites outsiders to come inside.
The week leading up to Easter is considered Holy Week in Christianity and begins with Palm Sunday.
“For those of you who are seeking God’s mercy, Holy Week is an invitation to come to Jesus, who is the Father’s mercy turned towards the world.
“Even for isolated humans or those at the margins, it is a week when the Christian community speaks of welcome, return and embrace, like the embrace of the Prodigal Son in St. Luke’s beautiful parable. We are loved and “loved to the end” by our humble Lord and Savior, Jesus.
“I hope and pray that all of us in the Archdiocese will be gathered together in Church for Holy Week this year. May we be re-energized as we encounter God’s mercy in His Risen Son, and may the Holy Spirit send us forth as living and joyful witnesses of God’s love,” said DiNardo.
