Santo Krusan sa Village

 

FLORES DE MAYO & SANTAKRUSAN SA VILLAGE

BRIEF HISTORY

By AA Medrano

The Filipino Pastoral Ministry (FPM) started this popular celebration at Our Lady of Pompei Church through the initiative of the late Fr. Bobby B. Sison, the founding director of the Filipino Pastoral Ministry in order to uphold the deeper awareness of the Filipino culture and religious tradition honoring the Virgin Mary with the daily offering of flowers to her by the children during the month of May, hence, it is called “Flores de Mayo.” We always refer to the first celebration held on May 26, 1991 as the Filipino community’s contribution to the Centennial celebration of Our Lady of Pompei Church and 18 years later, it has become the center piece of all celebrations during the month of May.

This year is also the 20th anniversary of the Filipino Pastoral Ministry of Pompei. Officially launched in 1988, whose main objective is evangelization but more specifically to give the Filipinos a “home church” where we could express our unique Filipino values within the context of the Catholic faith, tradition and practices. The Flores de Mayo and Santakrusan is one of the most important program of the FPM.

Words were never enough to express our endless gratitude to all the Sagalas, the flower boys and girls, the bearers, ushers, marshals, hermana mayores and the parents who encouraged their children to participate, the sponsors and donors, the men and women and families who have been with us through the 18 years that we celebrate the Flores de Mayo and Santakrusan sa Village. You have shown your dedicated devotion to the Virgin Mary.

The Filipino Pastoral Ministry under the direction of Msgr. Romy Montero, together with the Santo Nino Prayer Groups of New York will continue to uphold this Filipino tradition. Every year has been a big challenge but we all persevere. We strived to be perfect, but, the mere fact that we all work together was an inspiration to behold. Your dedication and continued support to this endeavor enable us to keep going.

The 18th Flores de Mayo & Santakrusan sa Village

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon in the village where the Filipino Pastoral Ministry of Our Lady of Pompei church celebrated its 18th Annual Flores de Mayo and Santakrusan sa Village. The lively and colorful Santakrusan procession attracted not only the parishioners of Our Lady of Pompei but also the tourists that abound in downtown Manhattan. Over the years, the celebration still remains the focal point of the beautiful celebration of our Filipino tradition and culture in the village.

Last Sunday, May 25 we celebrated the 18th Annual Flores de Mayo and Santakrusan sa Village with the same dedication and enthusiasm as in the past years. Congratulations to the Hermana Mayor Noemi Alfaro & Family and Nelia Cloma who worked hard to make the celebration successful. Likewise thank you to all the coordinators and members of the Santo Nino Prayers Groups of New York – Queens, Manhattan, Bronx and Brooklyn for your support in continuing the tradition.

The celebration started with the Novena to Santo Nino led by Jessica Manno followed by transfer of the Images to the different sponsors of the Santo Nino Prayer Groups of New York and the blessing of the birthday celebrants. Msgr. Romulo Montero, the Director of the Filipino Pastoral Ministry was the main celebrant of the Mass. Rev. Romeo Hontiveros, parochial vicar of Our Lady of Victory Church in Wall St. concelebrated in the Mass. After the Eucharistic celebration was the Crowning ceremony and the Santakrusan.

The Crowning of the Image of the Virgin Mary followed by the Santakrusan was the culmination of the weekly Flower offering to the Blessed Virgin Mary throughout the month of May. This year, the three major Sagalas- Reyna Elena – Carmela Sikorski, Reyna de las Flores – Jennifer Paras and the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary – Megan Elizabeth Bugarin led all the Sagalas dressed in their best gowns, and the flower girls and boys in the procession preceding the Image of the Virgin Mary. Children of all ages, even little angels who could barely walk joined the procession around the village.

AAMedrano/ FPM0/5/16/08