San Fernando Cathedral was founded on March 9, 1731 by a group of 15 families who came from the Canary Islands at the invitation of King Phillip V of Spain and is the oldest, continuously functioning religious community in the State of Texas.
Jesus came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.
For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household,
built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.
And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
“San Fernando Cathedral was founded on March 9, 1731 by a group of 15 families who came from the Canary Islands at the invitation of King Phillip V of Spain and is the oldest, continuously functioning religious community in the State of Texas.
San Fernando Cathedral, San Antonio, Texas; photo by Dr Aletha
This church was planned to be at the center of the life of this city. The Cathedral building has the added distinction of being the oldest standing church building in Texas, and for all of its more than 281 years, has been serving the people of the Archdiocese and San Antonio.
San Fernando has become more than the geographic center; it has become an ecumenical, cultural, civic, and service center of unity and harmony for all the God-loving people of San Antonio and beyond. San Fernando serves as a refuge for many of the poor in this area who come for help and trust their needs will be met”
For many years, St Peter’s had become primarily a service church, a kind of parish-away-from-home for thousands who filled the area each workday. Then, after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, both St Peter’s and her chapel, St Joseph’s in Battery Park City, were used as staging grounds for rescue and recovery operations.…
I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you transform challenges into opportunities for learning and growth.
Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.
I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.
The first Palm day was a prelude to unexpected pain and suffering. Most of us did not anticipate the pain and suffering the viral pandemic would bring. But the second Palm day was a celebration
Palm Sunday is one of several “holidays”, or more correctly holy days that Christians “celebrate”, or observe, in the weeks before Easter called Lent. Palm Sunday comes from an event recorded in the Bible books of Mark, Luke, and John.
The prophet Zechariah had said
“Announce to the people of Jerusalem: ‘Your king is coming to you! He is humble and rides on a donkey. He comes on the colt of a donkey.’ ”
The disciples left and did what Jesus had told them to do. They brought the donkey and its colt and laid some clothes on their backs. Then Jesus got on.
The next day a large crowd was in Jerusalem for Passover. When they heard that Jesus was coming for the festival, they took palm branches and went out to greet him. They shouted,
Hooray for the Son of David! God bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hooray for God in heaven above!”
Lent starts with the well known Fat Tuesday-Mardi Gras and Ash Wednesday.
Holy Week starts with Palm Sunday, related in the story above.
At my church on Palm Sunday, the preschool age children march into the auditorium waving palm branches and sing a song for us. The parents and grandparents sit up front, proudly taking pictures and video. Then there is a carnival and of course hunting for Easter eggs.
It’s a day to celebrate before we observe the solemn days of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
Another Palm day in the Bible
It may not be on a Sunday, but I recently discovered another time when palm branches are used to honor Jesus. But unlike the first Palm Sunday, it celebrates a much happier occasion. It’s in the book of Revelation written by the Apostle John who was in exile on a deserted island.
“After this, I saw a large crowd with more people than could be counted.
They were from every race, tribe, nation, and language, and they stood before the throne and before the Lamb. They wore white robes and held palm branches in their hands, as they shouted,
Our God, who sits upon the throne,
has the power to save his people,
and so does the Lamb.
Amen! Praise, glory, wisdom,
thanks, honor, power and strength belong to our God
forever and ever! Amen!”
Revelation 7:9-12, CEV
Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
These three remain, faith, hope and love, and greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13
The first Palm day was a prelude to unexpected pain and suffering. Most of us did not anticipate the pain and suffering the COVID-19 pandemic would cause.
But the Bible describes the second Palm day as a celebration because their pain and suffering was over. And I believe some day we will look back on these difficult days and celebrate health and wholeness again.
Dr. Aletha
Lightstock-quality photos and graphics site- here.
(This is an affiliate link)
Use these links to share the heart of health wherever you connect.
watercress words by Dr Aletha 