Flores de Mayo

Flores de Mayo (“Flowers of May”) is a Catholic feast held in the Philippines in the month of May. Lasting for a month, it is held in honor of the Virgin Mary. The Santacruzan relates to the pageant on the last day of Flores de Mayo, held in honour of Reyna Elena & Constantine finding the True Cross in Jerusalem. The name is derived from Flores, the Spanish word for “flowers”. Also known as “Flores de Maria” (Flowers of Mary) or “Álay” (offering), the term refers to the feast as a whole. It was believed that “Flores” (short term for Flores de Mayo) originated in 1865 from the town of Malolos, Bulacan, when the young girls would make a floral offering to the Virgin Mary in the parish church. The townfolk gather the colorful flowers to decorate the Parish Church altars and aisles. They bundle the blooms in exotic arrangements for the many different festivities all together referred to as the “Flores De Mayo” (Flowers of May).

The highlight of the procession is the magestic Reina Elena (Queen Helena) who walks with her consort, Prinsipe Constantino, under a huge canopy of May flowers. Immediately behind her is a float carrying the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, followed by a brass band that lends the festive sounds to the procession. As the pageant moves along the streets, devotees holding lit candles follow, and join in the rosary, novena, and songs of praise.

The traditional "MARIA" with its respective meaning is said after the recitation of the Spanish Salve and the litany. After the ceremony, simple snacks are given to the children who attended the devotion. Alabasyon is the term for the prayers sung in honour of the Holy Cross.

Nine days of prayer in honour of the Holy Cross, preceNine days of prayer in honour of the Holy Cross, precedes the procession the Santa Cruzan.The procession is always the final part of the festival of Flores de Mayo. des the procession the Santa Cruzan.The procession is always the final part of the festival of Flores de Mayo.