Fostering the Use of Palm Fronds in Christian Worship: The Igbo-Nigerian Context

Abstract

The issue of Christian worship is an urgent and sensitive one to the contemporary Christian life and spirituality. This is because at least it showcases the trend and direction for the Church tomorrow. In the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, the importance of liturgy in the life of the Church was hinted. Accordingly, in “the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy,” the Council Fathers refer to liturgy as an exercise of the priestly office of Christ (Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 7) as well as the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed and fount from which all her powers flow (Sacrosanctum Concilium no. 10). As a result, the Mother Church earnestly desires that all her children be led to a full, conscious and active participation in liturgical celebration which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy and to which the Christian people, “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a redeemed people” (1 Pet 2: 4-5) have a right and obligation by reason of their baptism (Sacrosanctum Concilium no. 14).