For the past seven years, Filipino Catholics from throughout the Diocese and beyond have upheld two beloved native traditions. During the month of May, they come together to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary through the observances of a Santacruzan Festival and the Flores de Mayo (Flowers of May).

Photo Gallery: Santacruzan Festival 2018

Those traditions once again unfolded the afternoon of May 19 in St. Raphael Church, Hamilton, as some 300 faithful gathered with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., for the celebration of Mass, followed by a procession and a reception.

The Santacrauzan is a popular religious festival held in many towns and cities throughout the Philippines as the highlight of the month-long celebration of Flores de Mayo, a Catholic festival held in May to honor the Virgin Mary. The Santacruzan refers to the procession of flowers during May and commemorates the mythical event of Queen Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, finding the Holy Cross on which Jesus was crucified. The festival was introduced in the Philippines by the Spaniards 300 years after Christ’s Death and has since become a part of the Filipino tradition.

In his homily, Bishop O’Connell, who was joined at the altar by a number of Filipino priests including Father Gene Daguplo, pastor of St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish, reflected on the meaningful ness for Filipino Catholics to carry on their traditions in a new country.

“Holding on to those rituals is very important and; although they adapt themselves to a new environment, their traditions remain a link to their homeland,” said Bishop O’Connell. “It makes their new home richer because of the diversity they introduce. When cultural traditions are deeply rooted in a people’s faith and religion, their preservation becomes even more important.

He said the celebration is an occasion for evangelizing and sharing the Catholic faith, especially with the young.

“Today is not simply a procession and parade, but an invitation for us to reflect on God proclaiming the Cross as the only way to salvation,” Bishop O’Connell said.

“In our daily lives, although our crosses may be heavy to carry, if we help one another, we make our different crosses and burdens lighter. The Santacruzan festival can and should be the occasion for renewing the commitment of our Catholic faith, as Filipinos, to do just that,” he said.

Bishop O’Connell told the gathering that as their Bishop, “I stand with you today as your shepherd and spiritual father, to celebrate your culture, to honor your traditions and to strengthen your Catholic faith through prayer.

 “In these past eight years, I have always noticed one great characteristic expressed by the Filipino people I have met in the Diocese, and that is joy! May that joy continue and increase and bind you together as a leaven among all the people of God,” he said.

Following the Mass that was celebrated in English, Tagalog and Spanish, the congregation joined in a procession from the church to the parish center where they concluded the afternoon with a festive dinner. The procession featured young women from the Filipino community who were designated as  “sagalas” or reynas (queens), as well as children dressed as angels.

“Filipinos have a special love for the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the month of May is dedicated to the Blessed Mother,” said Father Daguplo. “By celebrating “Flores de Mayo with the Santacruzan Festival here in a foreign land, we stay connected with our tradition and our love of Jesus through Mary. We share with the next generation our faith experience.”

While she is a parishioner of St. Mary Parish, Bordentown, Norma McCoy greatly enjoys participating as a member of the Filipino community in St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish and the parish’s Filipino choir.

“Our fruitful participation in this celebration will help continue our spiritual growth, increase our devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary -- who is the model of our Catholic faith and charity -- and enhance genuine help to poor and disadvantaged neighbors,” said McCoy. “The most important significance of the festival is that in today’s political and cultural climate, Flores de Mayo and Santacruzan serve as an opportunity for priests and other parish communities to evangelize the Gospel and the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“It is hopeful [that] the younger generations of Filipino Americans would be involved, have leadership roles and [have] interest to continue and uphold these beloved traditions,” she said.