Santa Cruzan
Santa Cruzan
SANTA CRUZAN is a popular religiousfestival held in many towns and cities throughout the Philippines as thehighlight of the month-long celebration of Flores de Mayo during the month ofMay. It is usually celebrated with a parade of decorated floats and elaboratelydressed characters, representing various aspects of the Virgin Mary and otherfigures. The festival was introduced to the country during the Spanish periodand continues to be celebrated by Filipinos all over the world.
According topopular legend, St. Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great, went toCalvary 300 years after Christ's death to search for Christ's cross. At thesite of the crucifixion, she unearthed three crosses, and had her sick servantlie down on each one. Upon touching one of the three, the servant was cured;this cross was determined to be Christ's. The anniversary of this discovery istraditionally celebrated on May 3rd.
The custom ofthe Santa Cruzan celebration started sometime after the Immaculate Conceptionof Mary was declared official dogma in 1854, and after the publication circa1867 of Mariano Sevilla's translation of the devotional Flores de Mariaor Mariquit na Bulaclac na sa Pagninilaynilay sa Buong Buan nang Mayo ayInihahandog nang manga Devoto cay Maria Santisima (The Flowers of Mary orthe Beautiful Flowers that in the Meditations During the Whole Month of May areOffered by Devotees to Mary the Holiest).
During Spanish times, parish priests would choose hermanasor sponsors from the daughters of wealthy families. These women would shoulderthe expenses, plan the festival and decorate the church as well as the carozawhich would be used in the procession.
Young women are chosen from among the townspeople torepresent the various characters in the parade. Each is carried on a bambooarch and escorted by a young man. The highlight of the parade is Reyna Elena,representing St. Helena whose discovery of the cross is commemorated by thisfeast. She is escorted by Prinsipe Constantino, under a canopy of flowers. Thefloats are accompanied by a brass band.
Source:Kaibigan onlus
According topopular legend, St. Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great, went toCalvary 300 years after Christ's death to search for Christ's cross. At thesite of the crucifixion, she unearthed three crosses, and had her sick servantlie down on each one. Upon touching one of the three, the servant was cured;this cross was determined to be Christ's. The anniversary of this discovery istraditionally celebrated on May 3rd.
The custom ofthe Santa Cruzan celebration started sometime after the Immaculate Conceptionof Mary was declared official dogma in 1854, and after the publication circa1867 of Mariano Sevilla's translation of the devotional Flores de Mariaor Mariquit na Bulaclac na sa Pagninilaynilay sa Buong Buan nang Mayo ayInihahandog nang manga Devoto cay Maria Santisima (The Flowers of Mary orthe Beautiful Flowers that in the Meditations During the Whole Month of May areOffered by Devotees to Mary the Holiest).
During Spanish times, parish priests would choose hermanasor sponsors from the daughters of wealthy families. These women would shoulderthe expenses, plan the festival and decorate the church as well as the carozawhich would be used in the procession.
Young women are chosen from among the townspeople torepresent the various characters in the parade. Each is carried on a bambooarch and escorted by a young man. The highlight of the parade is Reyna Elena,representing St. Helena whose discovery of the cross is commemorated by thisfeast. She is escorted by Prinsipe Constantino, under a canopy of flowers. Thefloats are accompanied by a brass band.
Source:Kaibigan onlus
SANTA CRUZAN is a popular religiousfestival held in many towns and cities throughout the Philippines as thehighlight of the month-long celebration of Flores de Mayo during the month ofMay. It is usually celebrated with a parade of decorated floats and elaboratelydressed characters, representing various aspects of the Virgin Mary and otherfigures. The festival was introduced to the country during the Spanish periodand continues to be celebrated by Filipinos all over the world.
According topopular legend, St. Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great, went toCalvary 300 years after Christ's death to search for Christ's cross. At thesite of the crucifixion, she unearthed three crosses, and had her sick servantlie down on each one. Upon touching one of the three, the servant was cured;this cross was determined to be Christ's. The anniversary of this discovery istraditionally celebrated on May 3rd.
The custom ofthe Santa Cruzan celebration started sometime after the Immaculate Conceptionof Mary was declared official dogma in 1854, and after the publication circa1867 of Mariano Sevilla's translation of the devotional Flores de Mariaor Mariquit na Bulaclac na sa Pagninilaynilay sa Buong Buan nang Mayo ayInihahandog nang manga Devoto cay Maria Santisima (The Flowers of Mary orthe Beautiful Flowers that in the Meditations During the Whole Month of May areOffered by Devotees to Mary the Holiest).
During Spanish times, parish priests would choose hermanasor sponsors from the daughters of wealthy families. These women would shoulderthe expenses, plan the festival and decorate the church as well as the carozawhich would be used in the procession.
Young women are chosen from among the townspeople torepresent the various characters in the parade. Each is carried on a bambooarch and escorted by a young man. The highlight of the parade is Reyna Elena,representing St. Helena whose discovery of the cross is commemorated by thisfeast. She is escorted by Prinsipe Constantino, under a canopy of flowers. Thefloats are accompanied by a brass band.
Source:Kaibigan onlus
According topopular legend, St. Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great, went toCalvary 300 years after Christ's death to search for Christ's cross. At thesite of the crucifixion, she unearthed three crosses, and had her sick servantlie down on each one. Upon touching one of the three, the servant was cured;this cross was determined to be Christ's. The anniversary of this discovery istraditionally celebrated on May 3rd.
The custom ofthe Santa Cruzan celebration started sometime after the Immaculate Conceptionof Mary was declared official dogma in 1854, and after the publication circa1867 of Mariano Sevilla's translation of the devotional Flores de Mariaor Mariquit na Bulaclac na sa Pagninilaynilay sa Buong Buan nang Mayo ayInihahandog nang manga Devoto cay Maria Santisima (The Flowers of Mary orthe Beautiful Flowers that in the Meditations During the Whole Month of May areOffered by Devotees to Mary the Holiest).
During Spanish times, parish priests would choose hermanasor sponsors from the daughters of wealthy families. These women would shoulderthe expenses, plan the festival and decorate the church as well as the carozawhich would be used in the procession.
Young women are chosen from among the townspeople torepresent the various characters in the parade. Each is carried on a bambooarch and escorted by a young man. The highlight of the parade is Reyna Elena,representing St. Helena whose discovery of the cross is commemorated by thisfeast. She is escorted by Prinsipe Constantino, under a canopy of flowers. Thefloats are accompanied by a brass band.
Source:Kaibigan onlus
