By Armando Machado | Correspondent

Saturday, May 30, proved a delightful day for the Filipino festival of Santacruzan in St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish, Hamilton, replete with flowers and prayers to the Blessed Mother.

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“It was such lovely weather – we could not have asked for better,” said Norma McCoy, parishioner and member of the St. Raphael-Holy Angels Filipino Community (SRHAFC). “A lot of people came out to support us. It was just a very beautiful day.”

Following a 1:30 p.m. Mass celebrated in English, Tagalog and Spanish in St. Raphael Church, the 120-some faithful gathered for a sunshine-graced procession through the surrounding residential neighborhood, and a dance reception in the parish center. The procession featured young women of the Filipino community, chosen for their Christian spirituality and traditional femininity.

Known also as “sagalas” or reynas (queens), they were given titles of Mary during the festival, which is the culmination of the month-long celebration of Flores de Mayo/Flowers of May. While honoring the Blessed Mother, the festival is also an historic religious event introduced to the Philippines by Spaniards, and commemorates the discovery of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem by Queen Helena and her son, Constantine the Great.

Eunice Miguel, designated the Reyna Elena (Queen Helena) was one of four young women chosen as sagalas. Christine Villafuerte was Reyna Emperatriz; Jessica Jumamil was Reyna de las Flores, and Czarinabelle Amistoso was Reyna de las Virgenes.

Born in the Philippines, Miguel, 21, said she was honored to help maintain the religious and cultural traditions associated with the festival. Miguel was also designated Reyna Elena in 2008 in a parish in the Philippines, two years before immigrating to the United States. Her mother could not be happier.

“I am a very proud mom,” Maila Miguel said. “Plus this is for the benefit of people who need help in the Philippines. Our whole family is very supportive of the festival. We were raised to always help people – you don’t have to be rich to help people.” Maila and Eunice Miguel are parishioners of St. Raphael-Holy Angels.

The procession also featured 10 children as angels, and nine “hermanas mayores,” women of the SRHAFC who pooled their financial resources to provide the food for the festival.

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., sent a letter to the Filipino community expressing his support and prayers for the festival’s success.

“Such gatherings are important for keeping alive the traditions that are such an important part of your culture,” he wrote. “So many members of the Filipino community contribute to the life and vibrancy of our Diocese.  We are blessed to have some wonderful Filipino priests who serve so generously.”

 Father Lines Dela Cruz, a Filipino priest and parochial vicar at St. Mary of the Lakes Parish, Medford, was principal celebrant for the Mass, along with several other priests of the Diocese. He spoke about the importance of the Catholic faith among the Filipinos in the United States and in the Philippines, “a beautiful, strong faith,” and about the significance of the Santacruzan celebration and tradition.

He also talked about seeking meaningful spiritual endeavors in lieu of focusing too often on materialism.

“Find more time to be kind, to be accommodating – this is a good value to inculcate in our lives,” he said, adding that we should seek “to grow deeper in our spirituality.” Father Dela Cruz also said that the Filipino community should try to maintain its long tradition of dedication to family and community, noting that it is customary for invited guests of social gatherings to bring other family and friends to join the festivities.

Jay Janolo, lead organizer of the event, extended “heartfelt gratitude” to all the clergy, parishioners, volunteers, donors, guests, friends and family “for their valuable and varied contributions to this joyous weekend celebration.”

Janolo explained that girls and young women who are designated sagalas are asked to solicit funds for the Church, and the one who solicits the most funds becomes the Reyna Elena. All festival participants, he said, were from Mercer County parishes.

Organizers said proceeds from the event will go to projects and needs of the Filipino community, the parish, the poor and street children and victims of calamities in the Philippines – as well as to preserve the celebration of the festival.

McCoy said that next year the SRHAFC anticipates expanding its base by inviting more participation from other diocesan churches, continuing to make the festival a diocesan event.

Monitor correspondent EmmaLee Italia contributed to this story.