7,000 Christians Gather at Minnesota Capitol for "Palm Sunday Path" Prayer Service
On March 29, 2026, the front lawn of the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul became a sea of palm fronds and prayer. More than 7,000 Christians from various denominations gathered for Palm Sunday Path, an ecumenical prayer service centered on social justice and "care for creation."
The event began with a procession to the Capitol steps, where speakers framed the gathering as a faithful challenge to policies that marginalize the vulnerable.
Faith as an Act of Resistance
Sister Kathleen Storms, a School Sister of Notre Dame, addressed the crowd for over two hours alongside other local leaders. She characterized the service as an act of resistance against systemic issues such as hunger, lack of healthcare, and the exclusion of immigrants.
"When policies wound the poor, creation groans with them, and our faith compels us to respond," Sister Storms stated. "I am here today because... we refuse to be silent when human dignity is threatened."
The service featured a strong presence from the Twin Cities' Black Christian community. Music and worship were led by several predominantly Black congregations, including:
Shiloh Temple International Ministries (Minneapolis)
Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church (Minneapolis)
St. James A.M.E. (St. Paul)
The Laudato Si’ Influence
The Minnesota chapter of the Laudato Si’ Movement—a nonprofit dedicated to enacting Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment—heavily supported the event. While the movement focuses on climate change and sustainability, member Mike Harley noted that "care for creation" inherently includes the marginalized.
"Jesus has called us to feed the hungry, heal the sick, and welcome the stranger," Harley said, citing Matthew 25 as the theological backbone for the day’s mission.
A Distinctly Christian Voice
The Palm Sunday Path occurred just one day after the "No Kings Rally," a protest against President Donald Trump’s administration and recent immigration policies. Organizers were careful to distinguish the two events. Harley urged participants to leave protest signs at home and instead bring palms from their morning Masses.
Key details of the gathering:
Attendance: Estimated at over 7,000 people.
Scope: Similar services were held in four other Minnesota cities (Rochester, Mankato, St. Cloud, and Duluth) and across 12 states.
Catholic Participation: Parishes like Lumen Christi and St. Thomas More organized buses to ensure a visible Catholic presence.
Jesuit Father R.J. Fichtinger, pastor of St. Thomas More, closed the service by highlighting the beauty of neighbors looking out for one another. He emphasized that the gathering was a living testament to the command to love one's brother and sister through both spirit and action.
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