Miami-Dade County

Miami archbishop urges people to speak up amid injustice in Palm Sunday message

By Alie Skowronski
Archbishop Thomas Wenski, center, processes past the crowd towards the cathedral after the traditional blessing of the palms before Palm Sunday Mass on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Miami, Fla. “It is easy for us to say we would’ve done something different than the crowd or Pontius Pilate, but when we are silent in the face of suffering in the world around us [we are complacent],” said the Archbishop in his homily at mass.
Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski processes into the Cathedral of St. Mary in Miami, Fla., after the blessing of the palms and before Palm Sunday Mass on Sunday, March 29, 2026. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com

Palm Sunday parishioners at the Cathedral of St. Mary heard about how the events that happened more than 2,000 years ago in Jerusalem, leading to Jesus’ death, resonate with what we’re seeing in the world today.

Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski connected the crowd calling for Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect, to set a murderer free instead of Jesus with today’s climate, where people are witnessing horrific acts and not always speaking up. Pilate handed Barabbas, the convicted murderer, over to the mob, and ordered Jesus to die by crucifixion.

“It is easy for us to say we would’ve done something different from the crowd or Pontius Pilate, but when we are silent in the face of suffering in the world around us [we are complacent],” preached Wenski during his homily at the Palm Sunday Mass. .

“Jesus died for us, but he also died because of us. Our silence in the suffering of God’s sons and daughters shows our complacency. He died to save us all.”

Look at the photos from the Palm Sunday Mass:

Blessing of the palms

People reflect during the traditional blessing of the palms outside the cathedral before Palm Sunday Mass on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Miami, Fla.
People reflect during the traditional blessing of the palms outside the Cathedral of St. Mary before Palm Sunday Mass on Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Miami, Fla. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
Archbishop Thomas Wenski holds palms he blessed before Palm Sunday Mass on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Miami, Fla. The service began with the traditional blessing of the palms outside the cathedral followed by Mass.
Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski holds palms he blessed before Palm Sunday Mass on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Miami, Fla. The service began with the traditional blessing of the palms outside the cathedral followed by Mass. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com

The procession

Alter servers process past the crowd towards the cathedral after the traditional blessing of the palms before Palm Sunday Mass on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Miami, Fla.
Alter servers process past the crowd toward the cathedral after the traditional blessing of the palms before Palm Sunday Mass on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Miami, Fla. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
Archbishop Thomas Wenski, center, processes past the crowd towards the cathedral after the traditional blessing of the palms before Palm Sunday Mass on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Miami, Fla. “It is easy for us to say we would’ve done something different than the crowd or Pontius Pilate, but when we are silent in the face of suffering in the world around us [we are complacent],” said the Archbishop in his homily at mass.
Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski, center, processes past the crowd toward the cathedral after the blessing of the palms before Palm Sunday Mass on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Miami, Fla. “It is easy for us to say we would’ve done something different from the crowd or Pontius Pilate, but when we are silent in the face of suffering in the world around us [we are complacent],” said the archbishop during his homily. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
The children choir processes into mass following the traditional blessing of the palms before Palm Sunday Mass on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Miami, Fla.
The children’s choir processes into church following the blessing of the palms before Palm Sunday Mass on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Miami, Fla. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com

The Mass

Parishioners hold palms and listen to scripture during Palm Sunday Mass on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Miami, Fla. The service began with the traditional blessing of the palms outside the cathedral followed by Mass.
Parishioners hold palms and listen to Scripture readings during Palm Sunday Mass on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Miami, Fla. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
Archbishop Thomas Wenski, left, and Reverend Jeremy Lully pray over the blood of Christ during Palm Sunday Mass on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Miami, Fla. The service began with the traditional blessing of the palms outside the cathedral followed by Mass.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski, left, and Reverend Jeremy Lully pray during the Eucharist in Palm Sunday Mass on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Miami, Fla. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
A woman prays with palms in her hands after receiving communion during Palm Sunday mass on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Miami, Fla. The service began with the traditional blessing of the palms outside the cathedral followed by Mass.
A woman prays with palms in her hands after receiving communion during Palm Sunday Mass on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Miami, Fla. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
Bishop Pierre-André Dumas of Haiti walks down the side greeting parishioners after Palm Sunday mass on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Miami, Fla. The service began with the traditional blessing of the palms outside the cathedral followed by Mass.
Bishop Pierre-André Dumas of Haiti walks down the aisle greeting parishioners after Palm Sunday Mass on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Miami, Fla. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
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