Flores de Mayo in Haifa


Maria Concepcion Collado from the Filipino community in Haifa reports n the Flores de Mayo procession that took place on May 28, 2016.

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The Philippines is a country with diverse cultural heritage, customs, traditions, beliefs and dialects. Christianity is the most prominent heritage, handed down for hundreds of years since the Spaniards led by Ferdinand Magellan, arrived in the Philippines on March 16, 1521. The Philippines was a colony of Spain until 1898.

A well-rooted tradition is the Flores De Mayo celebrated all over the Philippines, and carried on by the Filipinos who work and live in many countries around the world. The Filipinos at Saint Joseph Latin parish in Haifa celebrated this tradition for the first time on Saturday, May 28, 2016.

Flores de Mayo literally means "Flowers of May". This celebration is the culmination of a Novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary and is a manifestation of our devotion to her being the Mother of Jesus, who is a universal and heavenly icon and model for all of us.

A procession with the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary highlights this celebration, which includes representations of Mary’s many titles. It is also a day in commemoration of the Finding of the Cross in Jerusalem by Saint Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great.

Flores de Mayo is a clear witness of the love of Filipinos for their faith and an expression of the positive Filipino values of hospitality, cooperation, fidelity, service and friendship.

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