Paradise Philippines

Holy Week

Written by Moslemen Macarambon Jr.

Monday, 13 August 2007

In a tradition set by its deeply religious Catholic society, Mahal Na Araw, or “Holy Week”, is a celebration commemorating the death of the  Jesus Christ, on the cross to redeem the world from its sinful nature. It is usually marked by various religious activities that stretched through the whole week. They celebrate Holy Week in deepest of passion and reverence to said tradition. Usually signaling the start of the season is the marking of the foreheads with ashes on Ash Wednesday and culminates on a Sunday celebration of Easter, to commemorate the resurrection of Christ. Within the season, sounds of chantings and hymnals will be heard from houses and streets, as devotees would usually put up shanties for the “Pabasa” , the hymnals celebrating the life and the passion of Christ; The “prusisyon”, a parading of the dead Christ would go around the town as devotees religiously recite their prayers. The “Salubong” is a presentation signifying the meeting of Jesus and Mary during the dawn of the resurrection. This is also a season when Catholic devotees and Pilgrims from other places would come to visit the renowned San Ildefonso Church to be one among the Tanayans in celebrating the Holy week. This practice is commonly called “Visita Iglesia” (Church Visitation). One of the most spectacular events to watch is the “ Penintensya”, where devotees would parade and voluntarily lash their bloodied bodies with bladed ropes as their way of repentance for their sin.; Some  even go to the extent of hanging and nailing themselves on the cross to commemorate the divine crucifixion, not without the terrified look from among its spectators.  These traditional practices arose from their faith and belief that in sharing the wounds and the pains of Christ; leading one to reflect on the agony and the pain the Lord has to endure for His love of mankind.