Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord begins Holy Week. The Mass opens with the blessing of palms and the procession in memory of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, and the long reading of the Passion is proclaimed. In 2027 Palm Sunday falls on March 21, in Year B, when the Passion according to St. Mark is read. Below are four complete sets of Prayers of the Faithful for Palm Sunday: one for each year of the Sunday cycle and one for children.
Response: Lord, hear our prayer. (Or: Lord, by your Cross, save us.)
How to use these intercessions
After the long Passion and a short homily, keep the intentions brief. The priest introduces the Universal Prayer and says the closing prayer; a deacon or reader announces the intentions (GIRM 69–71).
- Year A (2026, 2029): the Passion according to Matthew.
- Year B (2027, 2030): the Passion according to Mark.
- Year C (2028): the Passion according to Luke.
Set 1: Year B, the Passion according to Mark (2027)
Priest: With the crowds of Jerusalem we have welcomed Christ our King; now, at the foot of his Cross, let us bring him the needs of the world.
- For the Church, that she may follow her Lord faithfully through the days of Holy Week to the joy of Easter, let us pray to the Lord.
- For those who govern, that they may never condemn the innocent, as Pilate did, but defend truth and justice, let us pray to the Lord.
- For all who suffer unjustly, the persecuted, the tortured and the condemned, that they may find strength in the Cross of Christ, let us pray to the Lord.
- For those who feel abandoned by God, as Jesus cried out on the Cross, that they may know he is with them, let us pray to the Lord.
- For our parish, that we may keep this Holy Week with prayer and celebrate the sacred Triduum with faith, let us pray to the Lord.
- For the dying and all who have died, that they may share in the victory of Christ over death, let us pray to the Lord.
Priest: Lord Jesus, you entered Jerusalem to give your life for us. Hear our prayers, and help us to follow you to the Cross and the Resurrection. You live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.
Set 2: Year A, the Passion according to Matthew
- For the Church, that like the women at the Cross she may remain faithful to Christ in every trial, let us pray to the Lord.
- For leaders and judges, that they may not be swayed by the crowd but seek what is just, let us pray to the Lord.
- For those who have betrayed or denied a friend, that like Peter they may weep, return and be forgiven, let us pray to the Lord.
- For the sick and the suffering, that they may unite their pain with the Passion of Christ, let us pray to the Lord.
- For us, that we may welcome Christ our King not only with palms but with changed lives, let us pray to the Lord.
Set 3: Year C, the Passion according to Luke
- For the Church, that she may proclaim the mercy of Christ, who forgave those who crucified him, let us pray to the Lord.
- For peace in our world, that the King who came riding on a donkey may lead nations away from war, let us pray to the Lord.
- For prisoners and those condemned to death, that like the good thief they may hear the promise of paradise, let us pray to the Lord.
- For all who mourn, like the women of Jerusalem, that they may be comforted, let us pray to the Lord.
- For our community, that we may forgive as Jesus forgave from the Cross, let us pray to the Lord.
Set 4: For a children’s Mass
- Jesus, we welcome you as our King with our palms. Help us to love you always. Lord, hear our prayer.
- Help us to remember during this Holy Week how much you love us. Lord, hear our prayer.
- Bless all the children who are sad, sick or alone. Lord, hear our prayer.
- Help our families to come to church together at Easter. Lord, hear our prayer.
Priest: Dear Jesus, the children of Jerusalem sang “Hosanna” to you. Hear our prayers and help us to follow you. You live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.
Frequently asked questions
When is Palm Sunday in 2027?
Sunday, March 21, 2027. Easter Sunday follows on March 28.
Are there Prayers of the Faithful on Palm Sunday?
Yes. After the reading of the Passion and the homily, the Creed and the Universal Prayer are said as on any Sunday.