The Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul hosted families and individual Catholics for Mass on Passion Sunday, March 20. It was followed by a procession of the congregation out of the church and to a public park, where palm fronds were blessed by the cathedral’s rector, Father Dennis Gill, who also was main celebrant of the Mass. (Photos by Sarah Webb)

On Palm Sunday the Gospel is sung by three people at the Cathedral.

On Palm Sunday the Gospel is sung by three people at the cathedral.

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The corpus of the processional cross is covered during Holy Week, which began on Palm Sunday.

Church goers process from the Cathedral to Sister Cities Park for the blessing of the palm.

Worshipers walk from the cathedral to Sister Cities Park across 18th Street for the blessing of the palms.

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Deacon James DiFerndinand processes with the book to Sister Cities Park for the blessing of the Palm and Solemn Procession.

Deacon James DiFerdinand processes with the book to Sister Cities Park for the blessing of the Palm and Solemn Procession.

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Father Dennis Gill, rector of Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, blesses the palm across from the Cathedral in Sister Cities Park.

Father Dennis Gill, rector of Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, blesses the palm across from the cathedral in Sister Cities Park.

Father Dennis Gill, rector of Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, blesses the palm across from the Cathedral in Sister Cities Park.

Father Dennis Gill, rector of Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, blesses the palm with holy water as Father Kenneth Brabazon assists.

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Mary Irl

Mary Irl participates in the blessing.

Josie A Martinez from SS Agatha & James Parish

Josie A. Martinez attends Mass from St. Agatha and St. James Parish, Philadelphia.

Six month old Augustine Phillips attended his first Palm Sunday Mass with his parents Laura and Ashton whos home parish is Old Saint Joseph.

Six month old Augustine Phillips attends his first Palm Sunday Mass with his parents Laura and Ashton, whose home parish is Old St. Joseph.

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Josue Alegre gets palm for his family before Mass.

Josue Alegre gets palm for his family before Mass.

Hospitality Committee member Sr. Eleanor McCann, R.S.M. hands out palm before Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Pual.

Hospitality Committee member Sister Eleanor McCann, R.S.M., hands out palm before Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul.

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Cinday and Candy Ochoa

Cinday and Candy Ochoa

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The people hold up their palm as Father Dennis Gill blesses it.

The people hold up their palm as Father Dennis Gill blesses it.

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