Lent or kwaresma in Filipino is the season wherein Filipino people recall Christ’s passion, his suffering, death and resurrection. Philippines is known to be the only primarily Christian country in the whole of Asia and its population is made up of a big number of devout Catholics, which is the reason why Lent Season or Holy Week traditions are commonly practiced in a very unique way.
It is referred as Mahal na Araw or Semana Santa in the Philippines, it starts from Palm Sunday, followed by Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, Holy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and concludes on Black Saturday and the Easter Sunday.
In the Philippines, Maunday Thursday and Good Friday are considered as public holidays. Holy Monday to Holy Wednesday are still part of the solemn week but those days are regular working days. Filipinos are known to have a lot of beliefs in every event which also called pamahiin. There are also many kinds of traditions in different provinces in the Philippines, which was started from olden times and passed from generations to generations. Even today, in modern era, these traditions still exists.
The following are 5 traditions observed in the Philippines during Lent Season
- Ash Wednesday or Miyerkules ng Abo – it is the first day of the Lent. Catholic people have the practice of placing ashes on the forehead as a sign of inner repentance. The ashes came from the branches blessed on the year’s Palm Sunday. (Photo CTTO)
2. Fasting and Abstinence – some people chooses to submit themselves to penitence which includes fasting and abstinence. Most people who practice this starts on Ash Wednesday until God Friday, they partake only one full meal a day. on the other hand, abstinence is the practice of abstaining from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all the Fridays of Lent. (Photo CTTO)
3. Pabasa ng Pasyon – known as Pabasa, it is the chanting of life suffering of Jesus Christ. A group of people, takes turns to chant parts of the verses from the book known as Pasyon. Pabasa is done continuously day and night from Maundy Thursday until Good Friday. (Photo CTTO)
4. Senakulo or cenacle – It is a traditional passion play showing the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. It is performed during Holy Week, usually performed on the street. The performers were dressed up in costumes depicting roman soldiers complete with body armor. This tradition is practiced in different provinces like Marinduque. The Senakulo in Marinduque is one of the most popular senakulo in the country wherein the actors wear masks of hand carved wood or paper-mache topped by a helmet adorned with multi-hued paper flowers with morion garb. (Photo CTTO)
5. Visita Iglesia – this is the practice of visiting 7 churches and recite the station of the cross. It is commonly done on Maundy Thursday or Good Friday. (Photo CTTO)
Filipinos are certainly rich in culture and tradition, which makes every event more fun and much awaited. We may differ in ways of observing the lent and offering sacrifice during the season, what matters the most is the pure intention and sincerity of a person. We should never forget that Lent is the time to reminisce and reflect on the passion of Jesus Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection for us.
