(March 21, 2013)
In the Christian world, we are now celebrating Lent. It started a few
weeks ago on Ash Wednesday which marks the first day of Lent where we had our
forehead marked with ash, as a symbol of celebration & reminder of human
mortality, and also as a sign of mourning & repentance to God.
In the homily of the priest during that Wednesday mass, we were told to
start “sacrificing”. Meaning, we try to give up things we like to do or enjoy
doing even just for the Lenten season. Because, that was what we were supposed
to do and the right thing to do from the very start.
How many of us ever thought of this? How many of us ever practice this
giving up & foregoing something we really enjoy for even a few weeks? All for
the Lord.
Time was when we only visit churches, attending mass and all its
activities like procession & prayers during the entire week. No meat on
Fridays, plus we also try to eat less on even regular days as a sign of
penitence & sacrifice. There would be no loud talks or laughter. Transistor
radios were tuned in to stations that talk or explain about Christ & His meaningful
life on earth.
The entire town of Mambajao (or should I say the entire island of
Camiguin!) was quiet & solemn, except for the activities of the church and
the bells ringing on designated time that breaks the silence of the community.
Palm Sunday would start the Holy week’s events.
But the actual undertaking is seen during Maundy Thursday, Holy Friday
& Easter Sunday. 2 days of more fasting, prayers and silence. The only
place to visit was the Church. Activities would washing of the feet by the
Priest to the 12 “apostles”, the reciting and reenactment of the seven last
words, the visiting of churches for the way of the cross (Visita Iglesia)and of
course, the mile long procession.
The procession takes place in the afternoon and almost close to 2 dozen
of beautiful, antique and almost life-sized “Santos &” Santas”, together
with several images of Jesus in various stages of his passion, adorned with
colorful fresh flowers and “petromax” in all the “caro” passing the main streets
of Mambajao. While I can already see the starting point from our house
returning to the church, the end point is just getting out of the church! That
was how long the procession was before!
We would also light several candles on our windows for the duration of
the procession. As kids, we would sometime attend the procession, but there
were times, we opt to stay home & peek from instead, at the passing crowd.
As far as I remembered, we were not supposed to take a bath on these 2
days, although some says 3 days. And Easter Sunday was the most joyful day
because Christ has Risen!
Little girls dressed as angels complete with immaculately white dress
and wings are within the church compound or town plazas early in the morning
welcoming the resurrected Christ. It was always a sight to behold where many
town folks are in attendance.
A Holy mass is then celebrated. After which, people would prepare to go
to the beach and spend the rest of the day enjoying the sun, the sea and presence
of all family members, just like a reunion of sort, complete with home cooked
delicious meal which would often include lechon, what else!
But during the Lenten season, what type of food would grace our table?
Surely, it would be fresh fish and other seafood that was being sold that day,
vegetables and a favorite of everyone, eggs!
One food item I believe that was also cooked during these days was the
native biko. I know the oil was extracted from the coconut (can’t remember at
which part of the process!) and kept for some time because it was believed to
be a good and “healing” oil.
Panaad came to be only in the 80’s if my memory serves me right. It
started with a few people circling the island by foot, starting at the early
dawn till sun down to reach the starting point. It was supposed to be a sign of
sacrifice & penitence where people would pray the rosary as they walk. It
also gave people time to reflect and to be close spiritually with Jesus, if
only for a day.
With our new Head of Church, Pope Francis guiding his flocks from all
over, we pray that the world would be a better, safe & happy place, and
spiritually-filled with love, patience and forgiveness to attain (!) world
peace once again which have been so elusive for so long!
God bless us all!
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