Buxusmot loves ugly house in Grimbergen abdijtuin: pastor urgently looking for a thousand palmtakjes for palm Sunday

Grimbergen The buxusmot threatens again a spanner in the works to throw on palm Sunday in Grimbergen. Pastor Johan Goossens of the Nobertijnenabdij is struggling with an acute lack of palmtakjes and launches a distress call. “The buxusplanten in our abdijtuin are upright by the caterpillars. They are barren and brown in”, he sighs. “For the celebrations of palm Sunday, I am urgently looking for a few thousand palmtakjes.”

The garden of the Norbertijnerabdij is there for the second year in a row skimpy. Especially the buxusplanten get the heavy to endure. “The buxusmot here last year, quite a house held and this year is not much better,” said pastor Johan Goossens, while he gnawed buxussen surveys. “They are brown and dry. Last year we were there a few save, but it now remains absolutely nothing about. We normally have all the hedges are full, but now you can find just a small green sprig back. I fear also that it is not only a problem here, but in the entire region.”

Thousands of branches required

Not so good news with Easter in the offing on 13 april. “Because every year we use this buxussen to the necessary branches of palm trees. We have a number of baskets needed, good for a few thousand branches. Then they are also intended for the seven churches in Grimbergen, associations such as Okra and the nursing homes. Some people grab also normally have a whole bussel contributes to to to share of older people that they know.”

Last year we could have a few hedges of box to save, but now there remains nothing more about it. There is not a single green twig out of sight

Johan Goossens

The symbolic importance of the palmtakjes, which will be blessed during the Palmviering, is big in the catholic faith. “In the "joyous entry" of Jesus into Jerusalem he was greeted with palm branches,” explains Goossens. “To us were that for the sake of the climate, replaced by branches of buxussen. The blessed " palmtakjes be distributed at the beginning of the mass, and by the people at home behind the crucifix put into it. Others plant it in their garden or in a field as a sign of fertility.”

palm Sunday and the beginning of holy Week coming in april. The celebrations take place on the weekend of april 12 and 13. “It is yet, but we have nevertheless a number of large suppliers is needed. Preferably in the near vicinity. Last year we got even an offer from the Netherlands or from the farthest part of Flanders, but that is not as practical of course. It also has no desire to go driving around looking for here and there a few sprigs to collect, given the large number that we need. That would be a drop of water on a hot plate. But every contribution, large and small, is very welcome.”