Cardinal Tagle with President Benigno Aquino III (MNS Photo)
MANILA, Apr 16 (Mabuhay) – Keep the Santacruzan simple and dignified. This was the reminder of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines to Filipino faithful as they prepare for the yearly May pageant.
CBCP public affairs committee executive secretary Fr. Jerome Secillano particularly warned devotees against turning the event into a spectacle like a beauty pageant or fashion show, Church-run Radyo Veritas reported.
“Panatilihin ang kabanalan, ang kasagraduhan, dignidad ng pagdiriwang. It’s all about Mary, it’s all about how are we going to give our reverence to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Kaya huwag naman sana itong gawing parang katawa-tawa. Madalas ginagawa nila itong beauty pageant… so it loses the spirit of the celebration which is giving reverence to very important person to Blessed virgin Mary,” Secillano said on Church-run Radyo Veritas.
“Make it simple, ang importante dito ay hindi naman yung magarbo ang palamuti, yung maraming bulaklak. Ang importante rito ay yung ma-involve mo ang mga tao para magdasal at para mahikayat na magkaroon ng debosyon sa Mahal na Birhen. Iyon ang mahalaga, hindi yung mga panlabas na trimmings, kundi yung talagang hikayat ang mga tao na magkaroon ng marubdob na debosyon sa Mahal na Ina,” he added.
Santacruzan is the pageant on the last day of Flores de Mayo. Secillano said the activities here recall Queen Helena’s search for the cross on which Christ was crucified.
He added the flower offering is religious in nature, giving reverence to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Also, Secillano said the Church teaches catechism to children during May, particularly about the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Church reminds Catholics of the importance of honoring Christ’s mother, he said.
“Ang flower offering, ito ay religious in nature, nagbibigay ng reverence sa mahal na birheng Maria at yung prusisyon ay paggunita sa paghahanap ng banal na krus na ayon sa kasaysayan ay magbibigay ng kaligtasan kaya ang tawag dito ay Santacruzan,” he said.(MNS)