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  • Filipino Traditions During Holy Week

    Filipino Traditions During Holy Week

    In the 1500s, Christianity was introduced to the Philippines when the Spaniards first set foot to the country. As this religion is a main part of Spanish culture, Filipinos became a part of this tradition as well and has learned to embrace it ever since. Presently, the Philippines is identified to be the only Christian nation among other countries in Asia.

    Christian Filipinos make up 86% of the total religious community in the country. In this regard, every catholic holiday and occasions are celebrated with long-time traditions as part of its festivities. One of the most popular and celebrated Christian occasions in the Philippines is the Holy Week.

    What is Holy Week?

    Holy week otherwise referred to as Semana Santa, is a week of contemplation, reflection and commemoration of the passion and suffering of Jesus Christ. 40 days after the observance of Ash Wednesday, Filipinos will come together to observe long-placed customs and traditions.

    Common Customs and Traditions During Holy Week

    Depending on who you ask, most people, especially the senior members of the society gear towards following these long-standing traditions.

    Palm Sunday

    This day is known as the starting day for the Holy Week. Devotees flock together with their palaspas otherwise known as palm fronds. These palaspas are waved upon the entry of the priest to the church. These actions are reenactment of Jesus and his disciples’ entry to Jerusalem.

    As part of the celebration of the mass, the priest blesses the palm leaves. Filipinos then use these palm leaves as décor on their houses’ doors to keep them from evil’s way.

    Pabasa

    A ritual where people chant, sing or recite the words of Pasyon. The Pasyon book recounts Jesus’ life from his birth, death and resurrection.

    Fasting and Abstinence

    The observance of fasting and abstinence is done in solidarity of Jesus’ sacrifices for mankind. Throughout the Holy Week, people avoid eating meat or reduce mealtime. Others let go of their “guilty pleasure” such as drinking alcohol or smoking.

    Washing of the Feet

    Done during the Maundy Thursday mass, a small presentation of the priest washing twelve person’s feet to remember Jesus’ display of humility and being of service to others much like how Jesus washed the feet of his disciples.

    Visita Iglesia

    One of the most popular traditions during Holy Week is Visita Iglesia. This is where Filipinos visit catholic churches and recite the station of the cross. However, as the restrictions are still on-going, people are silently praying on their own.

    Stations of the Cross

    Also called Vua Crucis or Way of the Cross, this is a tradition where Filipinos pray and meditate in front of Jesus’ fourteen images that depicted his events of crucifixion and resurrection.

    Salubong

    Considered as the final highlight of the Holy Week, Salubong is done during the Easter Sunday at 4 o’clock in the morning. It depicts the reenactment of Jesus’ first meeting with Mary.

     

    Photos: Pexels.com

     

     

  • Holy Week Traditions Observed All Around the World

    Holy Week Traditions Observed All Around the World

    Happening right now is the celebration of the Holy Week. All around the world, it is heralded as a religious celebration that everyone has come to respect. In the Philippines, its celebration is marked with the Ash Wednesday. The majority of the Filipinos have been practicing the rituals and traditions embarked on a Holy Week. However, it’s a big world of discovery and astonishment when you witness how Holy Week is being celebrated elsewhere.

    Here is a quick run-down of the diverse traditions people do in the celebration of Holy Week.

    Kites as Representation

    The participation of kids during Bermuda’s celebration of Holy Week is an essential part of the fun and inspiring tradition. Dubbed as having one of the most colorful and spunky festivity, the people of Bermuda certainly do take flight with their kites and a scrumptious meal of codfish. The kite-flying is usually done by six to eight graders but tourists usually take part in the activity.

    Why do they fly a kite you may ask? The story is quite fascinating. There was a Sunday school teacher telling a story about how Jesus rose from the dead. To provide a grasping image for his students, he flew a kite that symbolized Jesus’ ascension.

    Judas Effigies Are Burned

    Brazil is a highly-catholic country with yearly festivals, carnivals, and celebrations that gathers tourists from all around the world. Towards the celebration of Lent, people build life-sized effigies of the person that betrayed Jesus. The Judas effigies are somewhat tortured, beaten, or thrown with stones. Some accounts would even say that people also go to great lengths as to shooting the effigy with fireworks.

    After all of this ruckus is done, the already torn effigy of Judas is placed on top of a bonfire and people celebrating gets to watch as the effigy s burned.

    Celebration of Lent

    The Pope’s Version of the Stations of the Cross

    In Italy, the most essential Easter tradition that people wait for is the Via Crucis. With the participation of the pope, the Via Crucis happens at the Temple of Venus and the Colosseum. The Stations of the Cross gives a person a graphic depiction of Jesus Christ’s final moments before ascension.

    The water of Renewal and Life

    If you celebrate Easter in Poland, you need to carry waterproof clothes or raincoats. The “Wet Monday” also referred to as lany poniedzialek. It is a Monday tradition where people throw water on each other. For them, eggs are not the only symbols of life and renewal.

    Crucifixion’s Reenactment

    Although it was previously condemned because of its bloody portrayal, this doesn’t stop loyal and firm believers to have their hands hammered or drag heavy and nailed crosses on their backs. For the Filipinos, this is their way of showing devotion to the savior Jesus Christ.

    Every nation may have its own traditions or festivity in celebrating the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, despite these differences, we are all united in faith and humanity.

     

    Photos: Pexels.com