Saint Joseph's Roman Catholic Church

201 Painter Street, Everson Pennsylvania 15631  --- Phone 724-887-6714

Palm Sunday - Niedziela Palmowa
Sometimes called Niedziela Kwietna (Flower Sunday) or Wierzbna (Willow sunday), Palm Sunday is marked by the traditional procession in which willow branches are carried instead of palms.  In the old times a wooden donkey called the Palmowy Osiolek (Palm Donkey) was led in the procession.  Upon their return home, parents give the blessed willow blossoms to the children and say:  "Doczekalismy sie pierwszej swieconki, daj nam Boze doczekac i drugiej."  (We have lived to see the first "Blessing;" may God let us see the second.)

Because the palm (or willow) has been blessed, it is believed to have curative value and is hung behind holy pictures during the year.  In the country, peasants form crosses from the blessed willows and bury them in the fields to protect them from hail, and place them over buildings to guard them against lightning.