A BRIEF HISTORY OF SANTACRUZAN / FLORES DE MAYO

Filipinos celebrate Flores de Mayo during the merry month of May.  Flores de Mayo is celebrated in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The celebration is believed to have started in the mid 1800's when the Vatican proclaimed doctrines regarding the Immaculate Conception. Flowers are offered to the Blessed Virgin. Flores de Mayo are also called as Flores de Maria. The Spaniards brought this tradition to the Philippines.

The Santacruzan is the highlight of Flores de Mayo. It is a religious festivity which is held in barrios and cities throughout the Philippines. It is celebrated in honor of  the finding of the relics of the True Cross by Queen Helena or St. Helena, the mother of  Constantine the Great, the first Christian emperor. 

Around 300 years after the death of Jesus Christ, Queen Helena was in search for the True Cross of  Jesus. At age of 75, at the Calvary, she found 3 crosses. She asked her servants who were sick to touch each cross. After touching one of the crosses, the servants were miraculously healed. This cross was believed to be the cross of Jesus Christ. 

Santacruzan or Sara ng Krus as other calls it, starts with a novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary wherein each day,  the holy rosary prayer was offered, prior to a procession which is done every night until the ninth day, which is the highlight of the festivity.         
    
On the morning of the 9th day, which is the Santacruzan, a mass was held followed by a native Filipino games such as the Palo Sebo (greased bamboo climbing), hampas palayok (similar to piñata but instead a clay pot is used to hold the candies), marathon and the agawang buko(coconut snatching).

On the evening, selected beautiful maidens ( known as Sagalas) dressed in gowns join the religious pageant. This procession is   arranged in order, usually according to the Sagala's age, height and beauty. Sagalas usually carries a bunch of flowers while the Emperatriz carries a small wooden cross. Equally handsome Consortes (Escorts) accompanies the Sagalas during the procession. 
They were under a wooden or bamboo arc decorated with flowers. The Reyna Elena (Queen Helena) are accompanied with a young boy called the Constantino(Constantine).

The carriage of the cross were usually decorated by different flowers by townsfolk. The Cantores (singers) sings the Dios te Salve continuously. 
Usually the Santacruzan does not end with the procession. Most of the time, a street party were held to celebrate the successful and peaceful novena.

SONGS  DURING FLORES DE MAYO/SANTACRUZAN

Dios Te Salve (Hail Mary)  
Dios te salve Maria
Llena eres de gracia
El senor es contigo
Bendita tu eres
Entre todas las mujeres
Y bendito es el fruto
Y bendito es el fruto
De tu vientre Jesus.
Santa Maria Madre de Dios
Ruega por nosotros
Pecadores ahora
Y en la hora
De nuestra muerte amen. Jesus.


VIRGEN DIVINO
Virgen divino sagrario,Virgen divino sagrario,( sagrario)
vuestros gozos cantaremos
y enellos meditaremos
los misterios del rosario (los misterios del rosario)

WIDELY VISITED CATHOLIC CHURCHES IN THE PHILIPPINES

There are hundreds of churches in the Philippines alone and each has their share of miracles that has bestowed upon its parishioners and devotees. Whether this miracles are true or hoax, as a catholic, I believe that faith alone brings miracles in our life. I have made research on some Philippine Churches that are known to have given miracles and changes devotees' and their loved ones' lives.

THE MINOR BASILICA OF THE BLACK NAZARENE / ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH

(Quiapo, Manila, Philippines)

One of the most famous church in the Philippines is the home of the miraculous Black Nazarene. This church had undergone many catastrophic memories dating way back from the Spanish Era. In the late 1500 the first church in Quiapo was built by Franciscan missionaries with just bamboo and nipa but was burned in 1639. In 1787 the Archbishop of Manila at that time, Basilio Sancho de Santas Junta y Rufina ordered the transfer of the image of the Black Nazarene to Quiapo Church from San Nicolas de Tolentino. It was then rebuilt with much stronger materials but an earthquake in 1863 hit the church that caused it to be partially damaged. The church was then again rebuilt in 1899 from the contributions of the parishioners and the help of National Artist Juan Nakpil.
The image of the Black Nazarene came from Acapulco, Mexico aboard a galleon. The color was attributed from the fire that hit the ship that was carrying the image. Every year, on its feast( January 9), thousand of devotees gather to join the procession of the Black
Nazarene because it is known to give miracles such as healing from illnesses and granting wishes.

MONASTERIO DE SANTA CLARA

(Katipunan Ave. Quezon City/ Sariaya Quezon)

Originally established in Intramuros, Manila by Sister Geronima dela Asuncion but was then transferred to Katipunan Ave in Quezon City. Clare of Assisi is their patron. A church also named Monasterio de Santa Clara was patterned from the church in Katipunan Ave was in Sariaya, province of Quezon in the mystical Mountain of Banahaw.
This church was known for the offering of dozen eggs in exchange for prayer offerings by nuns which is unique for the congregation.  It is believe that offering a dozen eggs ( represents 12 months of the year) to St.Clare  in exchange for good weather really works. Others said the name of the saint is the reason for the traditional egg offering because Clara literally means fair weather in Castillan and in Spanish it means egg white.

SAN PASCUAL DE BAYLON CHURCH/ OBANDO CHURCH

(Obando, Bulacan)

One of the most oldest and historic church in the Philippines and the home of the Our Lady of the Immaculate Concepcion of Salambao. This church was founded by Franciscan Missionaries during  the Spanish Era. It is known for the 3days Fertility Rites which was held yearly during the month of May. Couples who has long been wishing to have been blessed with children dance inside the church known as the "SAYAW SA OBANDO" followed by a street procession. Others are joining the rites asking for a husband, wife, of for good fortune and fishermens who wishes for bountiful catch. The 3day rites were for the honor of St. Paschal, St. Clare and for The Lady of Salambao. (salambao is derived from the salambao net which was used by fishermens who catches the image of Our Lady of Immaculate Concepcion from the river).

OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL CHURCH

(Lipa,Batangas)

Known for the mysterious raining of rose petals decades ago, Mt. Carmel church was founded in May 31, 1946 right after the WWII. The church was noted for it was claimed that numerous apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary happened here and identified herself as the Mediatrix of all Grace.

OUR LADY OF MANAOAG CHURCH / NUESTRA SENORA DEL SANTISSIMO ROSARIO DE MANAOAG

(Manaoag, Pangasinan)

Otherwise known as the Nuestra Senora Del Santissimo Rosario de Manaoag, this church is one of the most widely visited Roman Catholic church in the Philippines and is administered by Dominican Order. Our Lady Manaoag is known as the patroness of the sick, helpless and the needy. Our Lady of Manaoag came from the Augustinian fathers way back in the late 1500s and was transferred to the Dominicans. In the early 1600s the image was brought to the Philippines from Spain by Padre Juan de San Jacinto. The name Manaoag was said derived when a native of the province of Pangasinan was walking home heard a misterious lady's voice, he looked around and saw a lady with rosary on right hand and a child her left standing on a cloud. He then told the townsfolk of the apparition and
people called it Manaoag from the word "taoag" which means "to call". The exact place where the church was built was said to be where the Virgin has appeared.
Devotees from different part of the country were visiting the church for their pleads of good health or recovery from illnesses, good voyage and good fortune.
Among the noted miracles of the church is when the mountain tribes burn down the Christian villages and the Manaoag was spared. The city was set on fire and villagers set refuge on the church but not a single flaming arrow that hit it has cause it to be burned.  Another was on WWII when Japanese bombed the church and  hit directly on the roof  but causes no damage to the establishment and to the Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag. Today there are several churches named after the blessed Virgin, One is in Tagaytay (Tierra de Maria), in front of the Development Academy of the Philippines.

ST. JUDE ARCHDIOCESAN SHRINE

(J.P. Laurel ,Manila)

Probably one of the prominent church in Manila. Donated by Arhcbishop Rufino J. Santos in 1958 and was blessed on October 23, 1960. Known as the patron of the impossible or the patron of hopeless cases,  Devotees come from far and wide including students, board examination reviewees, office workers, parish and others with all kinds of requests and seemingly hopeless problems.  Petitions on difficult problem are said to have been granted.  Huge crowds overflow the church into the church grounds every Thursday for Novenas, counselling and confessions.

NATIONAL SHRINE OF OUR MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELP / THE REDEMPTORIST CHURCH / BACLARAN CHURCH

(Baclaran, Roxas Blvd. Paranaque City, Philippines)

One of the largest church in the Philippines that house the most venerated Marian image in the country, Our Mother of Perpetual Help. It draws many worshiper from across the nation. Devotees flock into the sanctuary every Wednesday including politicians and local celebrities to make the Perpetual Novena. The beautiful high altar was donated by the Ynchausti family from Malate, Manila.
Our Mother of Perpetual Help icon depicts the Blessed Virgin Mary wearing a dress of dark red with a blue veil and mantle and carrying Jesus Christ on her left arm,. Archangel Michael carries a lance on the left part of the image and Archangel Gabriel on the right, carries a 3 bar cross. 
The Feast day of the Mother of Perpetual Help is celebrated on June 27. A Novena of nine consecutive days precedes the annual celebration of the feast.