Philippine Culture and Tradition: Semana Santa, The Holy Week of Lent

While many are excited planning for their Summer get-away with family and friends, most of us are also preparing spiritually.

The Holy Week in the Philippines is observed to commemorate and honor the Paschal Mystery - The Passion, Death, Resurrection and Ascension to Heaven of our Lord Jesus Christ to redeem mankind. Here are some of the traditional practices during Lent by many Filipinos:

The crucifixion is still being
practiced by some devotees during
the Lenten Season as penitence.

1. Palm Sunday - The whole family go to mass for the blessing of the Palaspas, the palm leaves. People buy decorated palm leaves and have it blessed by the officiating priest after the mass then take it home to be displayed on the altar or hung above doorways, usually the front door until the next Palm Sunday. Old beliefs say it could ward off bad spirits but now, it's actually being done out of tradition and also as reminder of Jesus' entry to Jerusalem.

2. Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday and Holy Wednesday - Also by tradition, some families host the Pabasa or Pasyon, a non-stop 3-day vigil of singing and chanting of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ. There is a certain melody used in the chanting that veteran Pasyon singers are sometimes invited in shifting schedules complete with guitarists and other musicians. Be that as it may, some opted to change the melody to attract the participation of the youth. Spiritual Retreats are also organized by different parishes, starting Holy Monday to Holy Wednesday.

3. Holy Thursday - The start of the Paschal Triduum, a 3-day period of recalling the passion, death, burial and resurrection of Christ. The usual practice during Holy Thursday is the Bisita Iglesia, where the faithful visits at least 7different churches to pray the Station of the Cross. Holy Thursday is also the last day to celebrate the Holy mass until Easter Sunday comes. The washing of the feet of the apostles during the Last Supper is reenacted during the Holy Thursday mass with the officiating priest washing the feet of the lay ministers. This symbolizes Jesus' humility and love for mankind. The veiling of the sacred images and statues in purple cloth also happens after the last mass celebrated on Holy Thursday. This signifies that Christ's divinity has not yet been revealed during His passion and death. Some devotees also cover the sacred images in their homes in purple or black cloth. The veiling also symbolizes the grieving for the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. The unveiling of the sacred images usually occur before the first mass on Easter Sunday.

4. Biernes Santo (Good Fiday) -  This is the day when you will see many street processions all over the country, reenacting the Way of the Cross or the Senakulo, which is actually a stage play. During the procession, many devotees, women included, who self-flagellate, carry heavy wooden cross and have themselves nailed on the cross as self-sacrifice for penance. This is repeated every Lent as a panata (pledge). Good Friday is believed to be the day that the Lord died on the cross at the holy hour of 3 o'clock in the afternoon, therefore the Sietes de Palabras, The Seven Last Words are also incorporated in the Senakulo.

In the evening, there are funeral processions all over the country of the image of the 'Dead Christ,' the  Prusisyon ng Sto. Entierro. The lying image of Jesus is placed in a glass on a lighted carriage decorated with flowers, followed by the images of the crying ladies,  Mater de Dolorosa, Mary Magdalene, Mary of Cleophas, Mary of James, Salome, and also John the Evangelist. The women during the procession wear veils and sometimes get emotional and cry too.

5. Sabado de Gloria (Black Saturday) - This is a day of mourning to symbolize that the 'Christ is Dead.' People refrain from  merriment and making any noise. TV and radio stations usually do not broadcast live from Good Friday to this day, many establishments even malls, cease their operation also to pay respects. Some parishes reenacts Hudas Eskariote's betrayal of Jesus and hanging of self.

6. Pasko ng Pagkabuhay (Easter Sunday) - This is a joyous celebration for the 'Risen Christ,' marked by the Salubong, the meeting of the Mother and Child after His Resurrection, usually held at 12 midnight or early dawn. The life size images of the veiled Blessed Virgin Mary and the Resurrected Christ will be in procession with separate routes, the women following the image of the Mother while the men, the Christ. They will meet in a designated area where a stage had been constructed signifying the Galilea. The procession will be accompanied by singing and children wearing angel costumes. Upon meeting, the Virgin Mary's purple veil will be removed by an 'angel' singing Regina Caeli, Queen of Heaven. This signifies the end of grieving because the Savior has risen. The unveiled Blessed Mother is also now transformed to the
Nuestra Senora de Alegria or the Our Lady of Joy. There would be ringing of bells and fireworks. The parishioners would then proceed to the Church for the Easter mass. Parishioners sometimes prepare the Agape feast, breakfast for everyone who attended the Salubong. Other activities are also lined up during the day including the Easter Egg Hunting for children.

"I am the resurrection. 

Whoever believes in me though he die, shall live. 

Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. 

Do you believe this?" Jesus Christ in John 11: 25-26

Happy Easter!