‘Semana Santa’ Still Part And Parcel Of The Catholic Filipino’s Way Of Life

Despite their modern get-up, Catholic Filipinos, especially the faithful, are still taking time to observe the week-long commemoration of Christ’s sacrificial journey through death and resurrection which paved the way for the world’s redemption from its sins.

The ritual starts with Palm Sunday – the Sunday before Easter – where people bring palm fronds (palaspas) to church to be blessed by the priest.

People would usually bring home the blessed “palaspas” believing that it will drive away evil spirits or any bad vibe.

“Pabasa”, locally known as “Pasyon”, the Gregorian chanting of Christ’s life, death and resurrection starts on Holy Monday and ends depending on the speed of ‘readers’.

Starting Maundy Thursday, most offices, academes and businesses would take a break commencing the “Triduum”.

It is the period of three days when the passion, death burial and resurrection of Jesus is contemplated.

“Visita Iglesia” or “Church Visit” is also done during this day. People would normally visit seven churches representing the Seven Last Words or “Siete Palabras” or 14 churches as likened to the 14 Stations of the Cross.

Good Friday is underlined with somber street processions and the remembrance of Jesus’ Seven Last Words.

Processions are quainter in the provinces. Some towns would perform a ‘Passion’ play called Senakulo. Devotees self-flagellate or even have themselves nailed on the cross.

By doing so, they believe that sins will be forgiven and personal prayers granted.

At 3:00 p.m., everyone falls to utter silence contemplating on the death of Christ.

Prayers and reflections abound followed by the funeral procession of the deceased Christ. The funeral carriage would be brought around town for veneration.

Black Saturday is the spillover of the previous day’s solemnity. Parishes would stage Judas’ suicide for his guilt in betraying Jesus.

Some would find it funny and strange, but in some remote villages, young men would flock to local ‘quack doctor’ and have their rite of passage to “manhood” (circumcision).

Come Easter Sunday, everybody would join a joyous celebration starting with a dawn mass called the ‘Salubong’. People would prepare bountiful food and some would even do the west-influenced Easter egg hunting.

During this time, everything would be for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection and his reunion with his mother, Virgin Mary. (PNA) BNB/PFN