On the Saturday before the beginning of Holy Week, about two thousand migrants and asylum seekers, mostly from India and Sri Lanka, participated in the procession of the Palms, starting from the Sanctuary of Beitfage on the Mount of Olives. Fr NICODEMUS SCHNABEL, osb Patriarchal Vicar for Migrants and Asylum Seekers "These people have to work on Palm Sunday, Sunday is a work day for them. So they celebrate Palm Sunday on Saturday." The celebration began with a prayer in the square of the sanctuary of Beitfage. The Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Migrants and Asylum Seekers, Father Nicodemus Schnabel, greeted all the celebrants and those presenT. He stressed that "even in the midst of the difficult circumstances that we live in these days, we are here today to announce, in our journey, that Christ is our Savior and King." Following in Jesus' footsteps, recalling his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the faithful danced and sang with palm branches, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest". ROSHIN India "We ask for the blessing of Christ on this Holy Land. I am proud as a Christian to say that I follow Jesus." SHANTY India "Jesus is with us forever, He is the King." The procession concluded with the celebration of three masses in different languages: at Dominus Flevit in English for the Sinhalese community, in Konkani language at the Basilica of Gethsemane and in Malayalam language at the Grotto of the Arrest. Migrants and asylum seekers work mainly in the field of community services and are assisted by the Vicariate in all aspects: from pastoral care to formation and the Sacraments. They are an integral part of the Church of the Holy Land. Fr NICODEMUS SCHNABEL, osb Patriarchal Vicar for Migrants and Asylum Seekers "These people are, dare I say it, like "modern slaves" who face many difficulties, but have the joy and strength of their faith. I am always so amazed in front of all this that I think these people are closer to God than I am as a monk and priest!"