The blessing and procession of branches belongs to the liturgy of Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, which opens Holy Week and unites the royal welcome of Jerusalem with the proclamation of the Passion. What the faithful do afterwards with the branches — keeping them at home or at work — is a popular devotion that the Directory on Popular Piety commends, provided it is understood as a witness of faith in Christ and not as a protective charm.

Take part in the procession or solemn entrance at the beginning of the Palm Sunday liturgy, carrying the branch you have received. Bring it home and place it behind a crucifix, a holy image, or over the door, where it will be seen through the year. Because the branches are blessed they are sacramentals: when they are replaced the following year, burn them or bury them rather than throwing them away. In many parishes the old palms are collected and burned to make the ashes for Ash Wednesday.

liturgical