Vigil Mass for Palm Sunday

PALM SUNDAY  Bishop Serratelli prays as he prepares to bless the palm fronds prior to the start of Mass for the Procession with Palms for Passion Sunday marking the start of Holy Week at the Cathedral of St. John, Paterson.

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Bishop celebrates Vigil Mass for Palm Sunday

PATERSON  Bishop Serratelli marked the start of Holy Week at the Cathedral of St. John here, where he celebrated the Vigil Mass for Palm Sunday March 28 at the Bishop Rodimer Center, adjacent to the cathedral. The cathedral, which was built in 1865, is currently undergoing extensive renovations to its exterior and interior. On Palm Sunday, Catholics celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, which is followed by his death on Good Friday and his glorious Resurrection on Easter.

On Dec. 9, 1937, Pope Pius XI named the Church of St. John the Baptist as the Cathedral, or seat of the bishop, for the new Catholic Diocese of Paterson. The papal designation was the culmination of the dreams and sacrifices of many people and continues to be the focal point for the vision and hopes of many today.