Palm Sunday 2027 falls on Sunday, March 21, 2027. Its full name is Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord: it begins with the joyful procession recalling Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, when the crowds waved branches and cried “Hosanna,” and it continues with the solemn reading of the Passion. Palm Sunday opens Holy Week, which leads to Easter on March 28.
Palm Sunday 2027 at a glance
| Date | Sunday, March 21, 2027 |
| Liturgical year | Year B |
| Procession Gospel | Mark 11:1–10 (or John 12:12–16) |
| Passion | The Passion according to Mark (Mark 14:1–15:47) |
| Color | Red |
| Next | Holy Thursday (March 25), Good Friday (March 26), Easter (March 28) |
What Palm Sunday celebrates
Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a colt, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah, and the people spread their garments and branches on the road:
And they brought the colt to Jesus; and they lay their garments on him, and he sat upon him.
And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down boughs from the trees, and strewed them in the way.
And they that went before and they that followed, cried, saying: Hosanna, blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Blessed be the kingdom of our father David that cometh: Hosanna in the highest.
The same crowds would soon cry “Crucify him.” Palm Sunday holds both moments together: Christ is the King, but his throne is the cross. St. Paul’s hymn, read as the second reading, expresses this mystery:
Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as a man.
He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross.
For which cause God also hath exalted him, and hath given him a name which is above all names:
That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth:
And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.
The Palm Sunday liturgy
- The commemoration of the Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem. The people gather, often outside the church, holding palms. The priest blesses the palms with holy water and reads the Gospel of the entry into Jerusalem.
- The procession. Everyone walks into the church singing hymns such as All glory, laud and honor (Gloria, laus et honor).
- The Mass, with the readings Isaiah 50:4–7, Psalm 22 (“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”), Philippians 2:6–11, and the Passion, read in parts, with the congregation speaking the words of the crowd. All kneel for a moment of silence at the death of Jesus.
What to do with blessed palms
Blessed palms are sacramentals; they should not simply be thrown away.
- Keep them at home behind a crucifix or a holy picture, as a sign that Christ is King of your home.
- Weave them into crosses, a custom children love.
- Return them to your parish before the next Lent: old palms are burned to make the ashes for Ash Wednesday.
- If you dispose of them yourself, burn or bury them respectfully.
A Palm Sunday prayer
Written for this page, for the family to pray when bringing palms home:
Lord Jesus, today we welcomed you as King with branches in our hands.
Bless these palms and our home where we place them.
When we see them, remind us that you are our King,
that you entered Jerusalem to give your life for us.
Walk with us through this Holy Week,
and bring us to the joy of Easter. Hosanna! Amen.
Holy Week begins
| Day | 2027 | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Palm Sunday | March 21 | Procession with palms and the Passion |
| Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday of Holy Week | March 22–24 | Weekday Masses; many parishes hold penance services. Wednesday is sometimes called “Spy Wednesday,” for Judas’ betrayal. |
| Holy Thursday | March 25 | Chrism Mass; Mass of the Lord’s Supper in the evening |
| Good Friday | March 26 | Celebration of the Lord’s Passion |
| Holy Saturday | March 27 | The Easter Vigil after nightfall |
| Easter Sunday | March 28 | The Resurrection of the Lord |
See the full guide to Holy Week 2027.
Frequently asked questions
When is Palm Sunday 2027?
Sunday, March 21, 2027, one week before Easter (March 28). In 2028 it is April 9.
Why is the Passion read on Palm Sunday?
Because many people cannot attend the liturgies of Good Friday, and because the Church wants the whole week to be seen in the light of the cross from its first day.
Why is the color red?
Red is the color of the Passion and of the blood of Christ, and also of kingship.
Can I throw away old palms?
It is better not to put them in the trash. Return them to the parish, or burn or bury them.
More Holy Week pages
- Spy Wednesday
- Psalm 22 (My God, why have you forsaken me?)
- Psalm 118 (This is the day the Lord has made)
- Holy Week 2027
- Lent 2027
- Good Friday
- Easter 2027
- The Sorrowful Mysteries
Texts and sources
- Scripture: Mark 11:7–10; Philippians 2:6–11, Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain. Reading references follow the Lectionary for Mass, Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, Year B.
- Roman Missal, Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord.
- The prayer was written for this page.