There will be donkeys processing through streets across the diocese this Palm Sunday, as churches get ready for the beginning of Holy Week.
Bingley All Saints are running ‘Palm Sunday Live!’, re-enacting Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem by walking from the middle of Bingley to the church with a procession including a donkey.
The procession will start at 2pm at the Bingley 5 Rise Shopping Centre, and those processing will be handing out Palm crosses to people on the route through the town.
The Palm Sunday procession also returns to Ripon this Sunday, for the first time in three years, with Ripon Cathedral Choir and Lily the donkey leading the throng through the city streets and back to the cathedral for a service at 10.30am.
The procession, which marks Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey, last took place in 2019, with a lockdown affecting 2020 and restrictions in place in 2021.
It begins on Sunday in the Market Square just after 10am when the palm crosses are blessed.
The Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd John Dobson, said: “There is always something thrilling about the Palm Sunday procession and blessing of palms.
“The donkey certainly adds drama to this here in Ripon and the cathedral choir give a great lead to the singing of the congregation gathered from several churches.
“The important thing is that in this service we begin our walk with Jesus through Holy Week, recalling his suffering, death, and resurrection, in which he reveals the depth and indestructible quality of God’s love for us.
“I warmly invite you to join us both for the Palm Sunday procession and service and for the acts of worship and devotion which take place in the cathedral throughout the week.”
We’d love to hear your plans for Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter; please send them to communications@leeds.anglican.org.