On April 13, 2025, the Christian calendar marks the beginning of Semana Santa with Domingo de Ramos, a day of reflection and celebration that commemorates Jesus Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem. This event, celebrated worldwide, symbolizes humility and peace, as described in the Gospels, fulfilling ancient prophecies.
In the Archdiocese of Belém, the festivities will commence with the blessing of branches, followed by a procession and Holy Mass across 109 parishes. The main celebration at the Metropolitan Cathedral will kick off at 8:30 AM, starting with the blessing of the branches and a procession from the Santo Alexandre Church to the Cathedral. The Holy Mass will be presided over by Archbishop Dom Alberto Taveira Corrêa.
Additionally, Dom Paulo Andreolli, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese, will lead the Holy Mass at 9 AM in the Santo Antônio Community on Ilha do Combu. This day also features the National Collection of Solidarity, part of the Campanha da Fraternidade (CF) 2025, with the theme "Fraternidade e Ecologia Integral" and the motto: "God saw that everything was very good" (Gn 1:31). The funds raised will support social projects aligned with the campaign's focus.
The distribution of the collected funds will see 60% allocated to charitable actions within the Archdiocese of Belém, particularly for the Projeto Igreja rumo a COP 30, while the remaining 40% will contribute to the National Solidarity Fund, facilitating social campaigns throughout Brazil.
Mass schedules across various parishes in Belém on April 13, 2025, include:
- Metropolitan Cathedral of Belém: 8:30 AM (blessing and procession), 11 AM, and 7 PM.
- Basílica Santuário de Nossa Senhora de Nazaré: 10 AM (blessing and procession), with additional masses at 6:30 AM, 8 AM, 12 PM, 4 PM, 6 PM, and 8 PM.
- Santuário Nossa Senhora do Bom Remédio: 7 AM and 7 PM.
- Santuário Santa Rita de Cássia: 7 AM, 5:30 PM, and 7:30 PM.
- Santuário Nossa da Conceição Aparecida: 7 AM, 11 AM, 5 PM, and 7 PM.
- Santuário Nossa Senhora das Graças da Medalha Milagrosa: 7 AM and 7 PM.
- Santuário Nossa Senhora do Ó: 6:30 AM, 5 PM, and 6:30 PM.
- Santuário São João Batista e Nossa Senhora das Graças: 7 AM and 6 PM.
- Santuário São Judas Tadeu: 7 AM and 7 PM.
- Paróquia Nossa Senhora do Livramento: 8 AM.
- Paróquia Santo André Apóstolo: 7 AM and 7 PM.
- Paróquia Ascensão do Senhor: 6:30 AM and 5:30 PM.
- Paróquia São João Paulo II: 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, and 6 PM.
- Paróquia Transfiguração do Senhor: 7 AM and 6:30 PM.
- Paróquia São Jorge: 7:30 AM.
- Paróquia Santa Luzia: 8:30 AM and 6:30 PM.
- Paróquia Jesus Bom Samaritano: 7:30 AM.
- Paróquia São Francisco: 8 AM and 6:30 PM.
- Paróquia Santa Luzia do Bom Futuro: 7 AM and 7 PM.
- Paróquia São Benedito: 7:30 AM.
- Paróquia Nossa Senhora da Conceição: 7:30 AM.
- Paróquia Imaculada Conceição: 8 AM.
- Paróquia Arcanjo São Miguel: 7:30 AM and 7:30 PM.
- Paróquia Santa Madre Teresa de Calcutá: 8 AM.
- Paróquia Santa Edwiges: 7 AM, 9:30 AM, and 6 PM.
- Paróquia Santa Teresinha do Menino Jesus (Tenoné): 8:30 AM and 6:30 PM.
- Paróquia Santa Teresinha do Menino Jesus (Jurunas): 7 AM and 6:30 PM.
In Fortaleza, the celebrations will follow a similar pattern, with various parishes hosting multiple masses. Notably, the Paróquia São José – Catedral will hold a blessing of branches at 8 AM, followed by a procession to the Catedral, with subsequent masses at 11 AM, 5 PM, and 7 PM. The Santuário Sagrado Coração de Jesus will offer masses at 7 AM, 8:30 AM, 4 PM, and 6 PM, while the Paróquia Nossa Senhora de Lourdes will have a total of 11 masses throughout the day, starting as early as 5 AM.
Meanwhile, in Vatican City, Pope Francis made a surprise appearance at the end of the Domingo de Ramos celebration in St. Peter's Square, greeting an estimated 25,000 attendees. The Pope, who is currently recovering from a respiratory illness, expressed his joy, saying, "Happy Palm Sunday, Happy Holy Week." Cardinal Leonardo Sandri presided over the mass on behalf of the Pope, who continues to limit his public engagements for his health.
The Domingo de Ramos celebration holds profound significance, as it not only commemorates Jesus' entry into Jerusalem but also serves as a reminder of the values of humility and service. The olive branches carried during the procession symbolize reverence and recognition of Jesus as the Son of God. These branches are often kept throughout the year, only to be burned on Ash Wednesday of the following year, symbolizing the cycle of life and death in Christian tradition.
This year's observances across the globe reinforce the importance of community and solidarity, particularly through the National Collection of Solidarity, which aims to support vulnerable populations. As the faithful gather in churches and cathedrals, they are reminded of their commitment to follow Christ's teachings and to extend a helping hand to those in need, embodying the spirit of the Semana Santa.
