Holy Week Outside the Philippines (Remembering the life of Christ)

From http://www.insanetwist.com

For the past decade, I have been out of the Philippines for most of the time. And for quite a number of times, I have been asked about the Philippines. This Holy Week, I have been asked about the penitents who get nailed to the cross in observance of Good Friday.
"Is it true? Why do you do that in the Philippines?"

I was taken aback. I did not know at first how to respond. In my own effort to provide some answers, I have replied, "Yes, it is true. But I have never done that (showing my two palms apparently unscarred). The Catholic Church in the Philippines discourages people to engage in that which has become quite a 'tradition' in the Philippines."

I heard and read stories and reports that the act of crucifixion -getting nailed to the cross, is meant to relive and experience the passion of Christ. As reported, most of the penitents have personal "panata" or pledge to Christ. These solemn pledges can range from a very religious commitment to live a changed and holy life to an act seeking forgiveness or a mundane matter such as asking big favors (passing a national test, winning in lotteries, winning the heart of a beloved, etc.).

Every year, this tradition is drawing large crowd including curious foreign tourists especially in the province of Pampanga.In the 1950s and 60s, the tradition was secluded for the locals and communities of believers. The media have made this tradition a global news. And there is no turning back from the prying, disbelieving and bewildered eyes of those outside of the Philippines.

From http://www.insanetwist.com

For Catholic Filipinos, Holy Week is celebrated in many ways in various places. It is one of those seasons (the others are Christmas, fiestas, All Saint's Day) that Filipinos return to their hometown and villages. Because of its long vacation (usually 4-5 days including the weekend), majority, I'd say, opt to observe and cultivate the religious meanings of the Lenten season. The whole country, even the smallest towns and villages, have religious activities that celebrate the Holy Week. On the side though, social and recreational activities are also held such as reunions, outings and parties.

In the midst of these activities, there is a general atmosphere that believers must do penance during this season. The usual penance is to join a procession in prayer. Abstinence is also a common practice, especially from meat which is an essential Filipino culinary (prices of fish and vegetables shot up during this season). Fasting is also practiced. However, some people do penance in extreme ways. That is, walking long distance without slippers or shoes, experiencing the suffering of Christ such as carrying of the wooden cross, scourging themselves, and getting nailed to the cross.

For Filipino Catholics outside the Philippines, Holy Week is different. I am a bit lucky that Nijmegen in the Netherlands has a university with many international students. The studentenkerk (student church) has a line-up of activities for the season such as Way of the Cross and Holy Masses. There is also a Filipino community in the neighboring areas of Nijmegen, Molenhoek, and Wijchen.

Pasion Bicol (I brought this to deepen my knowledge of the Bikol language and do the pasion this Holy Week)

This is my second time I have observed Holy Week in Nijmegen. It has made me remember Bicol. Back then and there, Bicolanos have Pasion. A group of people sing a text in Bikol language that narrates the passion of Christ for days until Easter Sunday (often it lasts 2 days without pause and stop). Then, at the end of the Pasion, there is a big celebration with food and games, a gathering of family members and relatives, neighbors in the community. That was back then and there.

More than the "tradition" of literal crucifixion on the cross, Filipino Catholics celebrate Holy Week in religious and worldly ways. However, in our human efforts to be like Christ, we do want to share in His passion for humanity, in that He suffered for it and gave up His own life for the fulfillment of a will. In these human attempts to be like Christ, the closest that penitents can get to Christ is to actually get nailed to the cross as Christ. But we know that Christ not only died on the cross, He resurrected and showed us a life of love, service, compassion, and resistance (He resisted the temptations of wealth, power, and prestige).

From http://www.epm.org

In this Holy Week here, there or anywhere, more than the crucifixion, the season brings to fore the resurrection which makes us remember the life of Christ, a life of love, service, compassion, and resistance against evils.

The Pasion in Bikol ends with this:

Jesus, cami naghagad man            Jesus, we seek
con sucat maheracan,                    ever with pity
na cun matapus an buhay,              if life ends,
samuya mo na pacamtan                grant us
an Lagnit camurayan.                     a glorious Heaven.

AUOTPA LOGOD GUIRARAY       Amen for ever more.