Angels, flowers, pageants close summer

Since he was 2 years old, Reyvin Niño Rama has been one of the “angels” of Flores de Mayo in the Mabolo Parish Church in Cebu City.

His mother Michelle said she was happy that her son has developed a closer relationship with God.

“I wanted to know God more and become a good example for other kids,” said 4-year-old Reyvin in Cebuano.

Flores de Mayo celebrations here and other parts of the country end today, the last day of May, the month traditionally celebrated by Catholics in honor of the Virgin Mary as mother God.

In parishes and communities across Cebu, children spent the summer month in catechism classes and joined Marian devotees in daily  trips to the altar with flower offerings and prayers.

A popular custom has little girls and boys dress as angels in white robes and wings, as they carry letters that spell out “Ave Maria” or Hail to Mary.

Michelle, a housewife, said she and her husband, a barangay tanod, always encourage her son to join the Flores De Mayo even with their meager income.

“Because of Flores de Mayo, he learned a lot of things from the gospel. And so far, I can see that he is growing up a good boy,” said the mother.

Reyvin’s angel costume was made by his aunt. They bought his wings at the public market.

“I can really see that he is very interested in joining Flores De Mayo because he’s always in a hurry to go to church. Everytime I fall asleep in the afternoon, he wakes me up and remind me that we have to go to church,” said Michelle.

While Reyvin is actively participating in the Flores de Mayo, the family prays for good health and more blessings.

“Through prayers, we know that our dreams will come true someday,” said the mother.

Msgr. Esteban Binghay of the Archdiocese of Cebu said the church hopes to inspire children to follow in the footsteps of Mary to stay holy and avoid worldly temptations.

“We want our children to grow up with proper values and respect for the Virgin Mary so that they will become a good role model for others,” Binghay said.

Over the years, however, said Msgr. Binghay, some changes in traditional practices have alarmed the Church.

“It seems like the solemnity of the tradition has been forgotten. The Flores De Mayo was designed to honor Mother Mary but some people are making it a fashion show.”

He was referring to the Santacruzan, the culminating activity of the celebration. The pageant is held in the last day of May held in honor of Helena (known as Reyna Elena) and Emperor Constantine commemorating a significant event in Church history, the finding of the True Cross in Jerusalem. The Santacruzan started as a religious procession, but has evolved into a pageant featuring women dressed in elaborate gowns as queens.

Binghay said the Catholic faithful should dwell on the deeper meaning of the activity and use it to strengthen their faith.

“We are encouraging everyone to maintain the tradition in a good manner. Fashion show should not take place because this is designed for Mary not for human entertainment,” Binghay said. /Correspondent Careen L. Malahay