PASSION OF CHRIST. Scenes from the Via Crusis are re-enacted in the streets

From crucifixion rites to the Easter egg hunt adopted from Western countries, the Catholic faithful in the Philippines observe practices and traditions in observing Holy Week

MANILA, Philippines – Holy Week is observed by devout Catholic faithful around the world. In the Philippines, it’s a time for solemn prayer and the observance of traditions, several of which are unique to Filipino culture as they combine religious faith with folk beliefs.

Moriones Festival

MORIONES. Scenes from the Via Crusis are re-enacted in the streets on Good Friday. Colorful costumes and masks of men acting as Roman soldiers highlight the event as part of the Moriones festival.

The Moriones Festival is held during the Lenten season in Marinduque province. In the week-long commemoration of Jesus’ life and death, participants dress up as Roman soldiers and go around the streets from Holy Monday to Easter Sunday, reenacting scenes from the Passion of Christ.

Participants wear costumes, headgear, and masks depicting the faces of Roman centurions as they reenact the story of Longinus, the half-blind Roman soldier who was present during Jesus’ crucifixion.

According to Biblical stories, Longinus pierced Jesus’ side, causing some of his blood to hit his eye, miraculously restoring his vision. It was then that Longinus professed faith and believed that Jesus was the son of God.

In the festival, the Morion playing Longinus would go around town on Easter Sunday proclaiming Jesus’ resurrection, as other soldiers chase after him. It would culminate in Longinus’ capture and beheading because of his faith.

Crucifixion rites

In some parts of the Philippines, Good Friday is marked by a bloody practice: reenacting the suffering of Jesus Christ, from the flagellation to the crucifixion.

In San Pedro Cutud in Pampanga province, penitents willingly undergo extreme physical pain as a form of atonement. Penitents whip themselves on the back, using whips made of bamboo or paddles with pieces of broken glass to draw blood.

To complete the rites, some devotees willingly allow themselves to be nailed to the cross, reenacting Jesus’ crucifixion.

Behind this practice is a personal vow or panata. Sometimes the ritual is being done in exchange for an answered prayer for problems with one’s health or finances. Some penitents also undergo the ritual to ask for forgiveness.

While the local church does not endorse the practice of inflicting pain on oneself, the tradition is still popular in Pampanga, Bulacan, and Cebu, among other places.

Complete silence

One Philippine tradition, especially in rural areas, is the observance of silence on Good Friday. People are encouraged to turn off their radios and televisions and limit conversations on the day that marks the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.

Through complete silence, it is believed that people will be able to communicate with God through devotional reading and personal prayer.

The Yuletide season, Christmas and New Year has come and gone.  The Christmas lights and decorations are already kept and shelved;the greeting cards  gathered in a tin; travelers for the holiday are safely home.

Before Christmas Day,  many among us began  a month-long dash to find the right gift for everyone in our list. The word “gift” consumed most of us for a month. Preparing for Christmas can be a lot of work  that at times we got little time to actually enjoy the meaning of Christmas.

Who in the world started gift-giving?  Many people think that gift giving at Christmas was started by the three Wise Men when they brought gifts to baby Jesus.  The entire reason for Christmas is the love of God.  It was God who gave the first Christmas gift.

On the first Christmas, God gave the greatest gift of all – he gave his Son. He gave his  only beloved Son to die on the cross so all people have their past forgiven, a purpose of living and a hope and promise to have a home in heaven.  Jesus is the original Christmas gift.

We only give because God gave to us first.

The spirit of Christmas is about love and generosity.  If it weren’t for God’s generosity, we have nothing. The air we breathe, the valleys, the mountains, the seas, the flowers, the teeming fishes in the ocean are all God’s  creations, gifts and symbols of his generosity.  Every good thing in our lives – including our lives, is a gift of God’s generosity.

What did we do  this past Christmas to better demonstrate the true spirit of Christmas?

This is my personal account: On November 14,  our alumni group (UPAAA) commenced our caroling  activities. Originally planned to seek  raise funds for our scholarship program, we went from house to house of very willing alumni hosts to sing carols joyously.  One caroling night was different. We went to visit and sing carols to one colleague of ours who was confined in a hospice. We sung our hearts out to bring joy and cheer to him.  We, also, prayed for him that God will grant him the grace and comfort in his confinement. We left him in peace; he bid us good-night with a radiant smile. Within all of us is sheer joy.

The day before Christmas, I got up early to prepare the turkey for roasting, cooked the paella (Arroz de Valenciana) and made jars of pickled gourds. Before the end of the day, I packed food and delivered to two  eighty-year old widows living together whom I befriended for the past couple of years. They always enjoy my company as much as I enjoy theirs particularly when they share their wisdom with me while I give them a lift to wherever they want to go – to their prayer meetings, to the mall or to their senior fellowship activity. Time spent for the two elderly is truly a great pleasure. I feel like I’m bringing joy and happiness to my own grandmother who raised me up. She must be very pleased with me looking down from heaven.

Time is one of the greatest gifts a person can give to someone because when one gives time, he/she is giving a portion of his/her life that he/she will never get back.

“Calendars are meant to remind us of time…it’s preciousness and significance in our lives. For time once spent cannot be renewed or bought back.  As such.. time must be used wisely, managed effectively and harnessed productively to leave a lasting legacy.”

This new year let us use our  time to make a difference in other people’s lives. Let’s have a kinder and caring new year 2016.

“You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13)

God gave this promise to the people of olden Israel who lived in exile far from their homes as a result of judgment to their grievous sin of idolatry.  Although judged, God’s watchful eyes are upon them ready to hear whenever they sincerely seek Him.  This discipline holds equally true to any of us who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Yes, His divine plan to walk us through the path of spiritual journey often takes us to a valley of suffering to refine us with the furnace of trials and to eventually partake of His holy and righteous character.

Indeed, God does have a plan and purpose for us that — though not always easy — is assuredly for our best interest and His glory, as God emphatically spoke this promise to His people who have been dragged away in despair facing tough, critical times:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jer. 29:11).

God’s ways are sometimes mysteriously clad in affliction, but He does not put us into a trying situation that we cannot bear.  We just have to muster strength from the faith that He has given us, then focus not on our problems, but refocus on the Lord and His promised good future.

It is worth mentioning that before God gave this famous promise, He warned the people of Israel not to listen to false voices – to various advices which are so deafening that they inflict with fear instead of trust in the Lord.  The same thing with us, whenever we face challenges, instead of hearing voices that confuse us, let’s spend time with His Word, pray and seek His face.

In spending time listening to God, our spiritual minds are quickened to prepare us for God’s purpose in our lives.  We need to devote a time in our daily lives to reflect on  God’s Word and speak to Him.  God’s voice speaks clearly and gives us a clear conscience.  And the more we are  accustomed to His Word, the more confident we will feel of His guidance through the power of His Holy Spirit.

Let us then keep believing that God is up to something, even if we can’t see it yet. After all, God wanted His people to remember that He would fulfill His Word to them.  And, as we pray, let us look for opportunities that God may have for us, and learn how God is using the tough times to change us to become closer to godliness and more like our Master for His praise and honor!

by Dingdong Amandy

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My Christmas wish for our kababayans who are survivors of Typhoon Yolanda is new hope , fast recovery and new life in the year ahead.

Ruth Padilla
of Calgary, Alberta

I wish and pray that the effects of the devastating experience, the trauma, the loss of property and loved ones will soon be forgotten. May God’s divine healing will take place, a new life is restored and a bright tomorrow is anticipated.   I wish that the people you come in contact with during this difficult times will be a manifestation of God’s love especially this Christmas season.

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Jessica Juen
Program Coordinator
Temporary Foreign Worker Support Services
Calgary Catholic Immigration Society

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We hope that God will give them strength to stand and start a new life and to over come the trials and obstacles in life.

Nina
UMAC Express Cargo-Edmonton

My Christmas wish to all the victims of Typhoon Yolanda
I know that it’s hard to imagine how difficult this was.  Some of you lose your love ones, friends and relatives.
Christmas is sign of Stars, Angels and Love Divine coming down from heaven.  Remember, during this beautiful holiday season:  “Loves makes all things possible.”

My wishes to all:

Blessings of Peace,
Beauty of Hope,
Spirit of Love and
Comfort of Faith

May these be your gifts this Christmas season.  God bless and Merry Christmas to all!

Dr. Rod Montaño

How amazing words that proceed from our mouth can do – they can either give life to or destroy hopes, ambitions, and goals.  If we speak words that give comfort, encourage, and strengthen others, then  blessed are those who hear them. On the contrary, cold words make others cold and hot  words make others irritable while kind, gentle words bring a smile as they lighten up others.

The Bible emphatically says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29).  And this heavenly wisdom applies in all situations in life, whether the speaker is in a jubilant mood or in a melancholy frame of mind.

We may not always be aware of the effect of our words and the way we deliver them, but it is vital to know that everyone of us has the potential to bless and be a blessing to people around us, especially those who are downhearted and almost at the verge of giving up life.

It is appropriate, therefore, that we live out our lives to the maximum by being careful with what and how we say things.  We may personally be hurting ourselves, but this doesn’t mean that you no longer have the power to share what is good, righteous, and needful in any given situation.  We have to speak words of grace that will help build-up the lives of others.  We have to speak honestly and with sincerity from our inner being “for out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” Notwithstanding life’s realities, if we always speak negatively such as, “I can’t do it”, or “I am not able”, or “I’m hopeless” (to mention a few), then these will indeed drain us of energy and limit our capability to explore and discover our giftedness.  The apostle Paul has given us an inspiring statement, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).  This is not a prideful statement, but a confession of faith believing that with the help of the Lord Almighty, you become able in doing things that would give honor and praise to His Name.

Moreover, life becomes worth living when we cheer and lift up the heavily burdened.    Even when we deal with cranky, angry  people, we can speak graciously as we exercise the proverbial saying that, “A soft answer stirs away wrath” (or in Tagalog version, “Ang malumanay na sagot ay nakapapawi ng poot”). And when faced with a chaotic talker who’s overbearing and domineering, you can still be gracious by speaking the sound of silence.   Ciao!

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Sponsored by K of C – San Lorenzo Ruiz Council 14767 @ Chopstix Restaurant Calgary

By: Tata “Tatsky” Gascon-Delos Reyes

The life and suffering of Jesus Christ was once again narrated in this annual religious tradition practiced by many Filipinos all over the world.  Pasyon or Pabasa are verses structured in stanzas of five lines, with each line containing eight syllables. Commonly sung during Holy Week, the reading of the Pasyon is a practice in the Philippines where people gather around the reader of the Pasyon to chant and reflect. To many, it is a “panata”.  A solemn promise to oneself to do a course of action as part of one’s religious vow.

I had the chance to participate last March 28^th and 29^th at the Chopstix Restaurant in 17^th Avenue SE, a Pabasa sponsored by the Knights of Columbus All-Filipino Council. It was indeed such an experience.  The whole 206 narrative pages of the entire Pasyon Book was chanted and narrated by myself and a few more participants from the Council.  In 17 hours after,  we finished the entire set. This started as a tradition to Lydia when she co-owned Barrio Fiesta back in the days. Now that she owns the smaller Chopstix Restaurant, she continued on as this was her “panata” to the Lord Jesus Christ and as her way of giving back for all the blessings the family receives each year. It is her first time to approach the All-Filipino Knights of Columbus San Lorenzo Ruiz Council 14767 to lead her annual Holy Week vow. The group of men did not fail her and indeed made it a successful 2013 Holy Week “Pabasa”.

It was like a self-made curse as I look back at it now. Every thought was towards myself. Was it all my fault? I will never know the truth to that question, but from what I have done up until now might draw a map to the source. That which has happened to me had me afraid of doing certain things  that I once enjoyed.  Perhaps because I had focused on the thought of wanting to accomplish them rather than focusing on the inspiration that fuels the fire to achieve them.  Honestly, I had deceived myself with a lie (that I could do all things by myself) arrogantly pushing people and God away.  The enemy snared me in his trap after I happened to have done something very foolish and, simultaneously, out of pain of loss I desired to become more, then, I failed and fell from what I aimed at, and it only brought more pain and misery. So unfortunately my mind was lost in a void cluttered with noise after a year of listening to lies, and I managed to induce a preference to it while in a foolish state of mind. When something within was pressing against me that “this is wrong” I fought against it and made it out that “it feels right.” For a time I went with the latter but the confusion within me was so great that I could no longer help going with the former. So I understood why people do the dumb and foolish things they do, because they decide to disobey that voice or that feeling within them that tells them something is wrong. And the voice, that feeling in us is the consciousness we have all been born with, our God-consciousness. As I began cleaning up and disinfecting my mind from the lies I hungered for something that I hadn’t hungered for in a whole year — The Word. As I began reading daily, I saturated my mind in the word for months, then a cloud of warmth that was so great pulsed and stroked my forehead. So after a couple months of saturating my mind with the word, and a few days of warmth moving up and down my head, a verse came into my mind:  “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” (Hebrew 10: 16)

There was an immense joy within me when I discovered that this was literally happening. The word was active. The Lord made a new covenant with me. I didn’t understand why it was happening. Then, I realized my heart was hard. I had no compassion. I was selfish. I was angry. I was greedy. I lusted. I was complacent. I was so very and utterly hopelessly foolish. (A few days before, I repented deeply. I was sincerely sorrowful of my past life). In a few short months I was transformed after having lived hard and cold for many years. Then I wondered greatly what was the next verse, as my eyes scanned: Then he adds:  “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” (Hebrews 10:17) – by Chris Dmitru

Nida Guillermo

First if all I make sure i reconcile with our Lord. Go to regular and special masses especially during the Holy Week. Fasting on meat on Good Friday. We also join the Station of the Cross at St. Mary’s Cathedral. During Easter, we hold the Easter egg hunt with fellowship among the other members of the community. Nothing unique that we can do. We pray and we pray a lot.

Gian Paolo Oliveros

I reflect.  I take a day or two to think how I live my life and for what purpose does it serve. I remember how the Saviour sacrificed His life for the good of others and I pray that I walk the same path of selflessness and genuine love.

Go to church Good Friday and Easter Sunday and spend time with family.