23/05/2026
๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ญ๐ฒ, ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ | ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฒ๐๐ต ๐ช๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ธ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ | ๐๐ฎ๐บ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐น ๐ป๐ถ ๐ ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ค๐๐ถ
After 16 years, we bring back the Santacruzan, organized by Circulo de Bacolod in partnership with the San Sebastian Cathedral Parish. This is one of the most cherished religious and cultural celebrations in the Philippines, traditionally held during the month of May in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It begins with a Mass, then procession, and a catechetical reenactment of the finding of the Holy Cross by St. Helena, together with her son Constantine the Great. There are five reasons why Santacruzan is significant for us; First, The celebration of the Finding of the True Cross. St. Helena went to Jerusalem and discovered the true Cross on which Jesus was crucified. The procession commemorates this sacred event and highlights the Cross as the symbol of salvation. The Santacruzan, therefore, is not merely a cultural parade or fashion show but a proclamation that the Cross is central to the Christian faith; suffering with faith can lead us to redemption; and Christ's victory over sin and death brings new life. Second, the propagation of Marian Devotion. It coincides with the celebration of Flores de Mayo which is also known as Flores de Maria, the month-long prayers, offering of flowers, procession in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Mother of the Church, Model of Discipleship, and Companion in our journey toward Christ. The queens or the beautiful sagalas representing the biblical figures in the procession symbolize virtues associated with Mary such as humility, patience, faithfulness, obedience, and love. Third, the Catechesis through Symbolism. The Santacruzan is meant to teach the faith. Each participant represents biblical figures, virtues and marian titles. It is a living catechism for the children and the young, designed by the Spanish friars like Passion Theater Play during Holy Week. Fourth, the Public Display of Faith. It demonstrates how Filipino culture integrates beauty, music, dances, ritual, and flowers, by purifying these to become part of the Catholic faith that is expressed in public through religious processions participated by the community. Through Santacruzan, the Gospel takes root in the local culture but continues to preserve its sacred meaning. Lastly, the Santacruzan is our pilgrimage towards holiness. We journey together by motivating each one to see the bright side of life. Beyond the elegant gowns, festive processions and even with the threats of secularism, the deeper challenge for us is on how to become authentic witnesses of Christ by being signs of his love to everyone.
