Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

BRINGING a distinct Filipino tradition to the United States is one thing. Staging it successfully for the past three decades is another.

This year, the Catholic Action of Mary (CAM) continues the tradition and will hold the annual 32nd Santacruzan and Flores de Mayo in Jersey City. Every year, Jersey City becomes witness to the color, sound and spirit of the Filipino faith, and it is something that the organizers intend to continue doing.

"I feel really blessed to have settled in a community where our most precious and rich Filipino traditions are celebrated and not forgotten," said Ledy Almadin, CAM’s executive vice president.

The first Santacruzan was held at what was then St. Mary’s Parish in 1979 and it was a joint effort between the Filipiniana Society and the Catholic Action of Mary. Subsequent years saw CAM partnering with other organizations like the United Filipino American Associations.

Eventually, the Santacruzan became a sole project of CAM, the Filipino lay organization in the Parish of the Resurrection. This parish came into being in 1997 to unite the five neighboring churches of St. Boniface, St. Bridget, St. Mary, St. Michael and St. Peter into one community of faith. Today, this event is the largest and longest-running Santacruzan in the Northeast.

CAM combined the celebrations of Santacruzan and Flores de Mayo, two of the many traditions that are celebrated throughout the Philippines, and became one of the most awaited events in the community.

During the month of May, different parts of the country focus on the Santacruzan, which honors the Blessed Mother and the Holy Cross. Others concentrate on Flores de Mayo, or flowers of May, which also honors the Virgin Mary by gathering all the flowers in the community.

People then go to the church to offer these flowers. Afterwards, they visit the house of the hermano or hermana mayor, who feed all the guests. There is also a procession of sagalas, the prinsesas and the reynas.

Essentially, Santacruzan is a religious commemoration of the finding of the True Cross by Queen Helena (Reyna Elena), mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine (Constantino).

The Santacruzan is not exclusively Filipino though, as they have embraced other members of the community.