Palm Sunday procession in South Bend unites faiths in call to ‘feed the hungry, heal the sick, and welcome the stranger’

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- A Palm Sunday procession in downtown South Bend brought together Christians and people of several faiths to mark the start of Holy Week while advocating for community action centered on the message to feed the hungry, heal the sick, and welcome the stranger.

The procession, which organizers said was the first of its kind in the city, began Sunday at Howard Park and moved through downtown to several government buildings. Participants carried palm branches and sang as they walked, commemorating Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem.

Organized by We Make Indiana with support from leaders at Zion Community Church, the event aimed to connect religious observance with public advocacy. Faith leaders said the march was intended to encourage engagement with policymakers and community leaders to push for change.

“We thought it was really time for Christian’s to put a voice to what we really believe needs to happen in our country and in our community.” one participant said.

Although rooted in Christian tradition, organizers said the event was open to all faiths and backgrounds, united by a shared commitment to action beyond the church.

“When we look at the ministry Jesus did, that’s what it was, it was action, right? He did feed the hungry, he did heal the sick, he did welcome the stranger,” said Wayne Peterson Stephan, senior pastor at Zion Community Church. “And so, his ministry was action, outside the four walls of the church. “