Hi Friends! Are you ready to make a beautiful Palm Cross, with your Palm Sunday palms? Well we are ready to show you, with this step-by-step tutorial, complete with directions and photos!
Today has begun Holy week, so as we move through it, I am sure it’ll slow down around here a bit once again, as we help bring our children, in a mindful, prayerful and heartfelt way, through the most significant events of Jesus’ life, which led to the willing sacrifice of His own life, for us.
Last year on Palm Sunday, Michael took the fistful of palms we brought home from Mass, and created a big cross with them for our home.
Last Year’s Palm Cross
Our family has enjoyed it so much throughout the year, that the kids and I wanted him to make another new one with the palms we brought home today. So as he did, I took photos, with the thought that maybe some of you may want to create one this way as well, with your own palms, for your own family home. It is a difficult thing to explain in words only, so I am hoping the photos will help show you how to do it.
How to Make This Beautiful Palm Cross
First, he takes 3 sets of 2 palms each, and at least one good palm whisp.
In the area the intersection of the cross is, he put the ends of one set of palms alternately layered in between 2 of the others, going in the opposite direction of course.
Then he takes the last set, and layers those for the other side.
Pinching it all together at the intersection, he takes one side of the palms and makes a loop with them to the back.
He secures that with his fingers to the middle as well, and then does the same with the other side.
With the formed cross in hand he takes the wisp and starts wrapping the intersection of the crossed pieces, to secure them tightly.
The below collage, to be viewed left to right in rows top to bottom, is not every single move. It just gives you a general idea of how he wraps it around, crisscrossing, and going up and down as well.
When he only has about 2 inches left, he turns the cross over, and places it on the table, and holding the wrap tightly, he takes the remaining end and feeds it under the wrap a couple of times, and then just pulls it tightly. The front of the middle of the cross then looks like the last square in the above collage.That’s it!
We’re sure you all have found various ways to make your own beautiful crosses with palms as well, or perhaps you just stick them behind the crucifix of your home, as we have done for many years as well. We would love for you to share how you do display your blessed palms in your home, what you may make with them, or any traditions you may have for Palm Sunday in your family.
We hope you had a happy and peace filled Palm Sunday .
May God bless you all, this Easter season!