Priest reminds faithful: May Flower devotion not for food, games

In time for the "flower season" when many Filipinos prepare for Fiesta de Mayo, a priest reminded the faithful of the real spirit behind the May Flower devotion – Mary, the Rosary and the basics of the Catholic faith.

Fr. Roel Cahido, parish priest of Holy Cross parish in Carigara town in Leyte, said residents particularly children and elders should be aware of this.

“The May Flower devotion should not be up to just eating and playing... It is about Mary,” he said in an article posted on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines news site.

Carigara was where Christianity was first introduced by Jesuit missionaries, the CBCP noted.

According to Cahido, many children now join the Flores de Mayo because of the games and the prizes the event offers.

He urged the parish youth in charge of the Flores de Mayo to teach children about growing in the faith, especially during May.

Also, he said the devotion should not only be in May but throughout the year.

Meanwhile, Cahido said the May Flower devotion should not be mistakenly identified with the Santacruzan.

CBCP public affairs committee executive secretary Fr. Jerome Secillano earlier said Santacruzan is the pageant on the last day of Flores de Mayo.

Activities at the Santacruzan, Secillano said, recall the search of Queen Helena (of Constantinople) for the cross on which Christ was crucified. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News