OBANDO, Bulacan—Concerned with the preservation of traditions in a fast-paced world, a Catholic bishop underlined their importance within the Church, especially those connected to the Holy Eucharist.
“I am very pleased [with] those who still observe traditional Eucharistic adoration, just like the making of the sign of the cross when passing [in front of] churches,” Malolos Bishop Jose Oliveros said during his Homily on the feast of Saint Pascual Baylon in Obando, Bulacan, on Tuesday.
Oliveros made the life of the saint an example for a pious, Eucharistic life.
“Saint Pascual, while tending the sheep in the meadows, kneels every time the church bells rang during consecration,” he said. “If we cannot have time to visit the Blessed Sacrament, let us simply stop for a moment when we hear the consecration bells.”
Kneeling carabaos
Citing the kneeling carabaos in Pulilan during the feast of Saint Isidore the Farmer, the bishop said animals know Eucharist adoration better than humans. “[The carabaos] know how to kneel when in front of a church, while some Catholics, with intellect and all, neglect to give respect when passing the church,” Oliveros lamented.
He also underlined the importance of going to Mass as a family, especially during Sunday.
“Let us bring home the wisdom we acquired during our encounter with Jesus in the Eucharistic celebration,” the bishop said.
Furthermore, Oliveros encouraged the faithful to share the teachings of Christ to others and observe humility, like Saint Paschal, who spent most of his life as Franciscan lay brother by cooking and cleaning for the congregation.
“Let us strive to emulate Saint Pascual Baylon,” he urged. “Let us not drive away those who plead for our help. In giving ourselves to our neighbors, we become real images of God and streams of His mercy.”
Obando prayer dance
Meanwhile, many pilgrims flocked to this town from May 17 to 19 to join its annual prayer dance for fertility that was dedicated to Saint Clare of Assisi, Nuestra Señora de Salambao and Saint Pascual Baylon.
In celebration of the feast day of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception of Salambao, Fr. Virgilio Ramos, parish priest of San Pascual Baylon, urged everyone to join the faithful in dancing as they seek God’s grace and blessings.
Dance of grace
“Lift your prayer intentions to Almighty God, through the intercessions of Mama Mary and our three patron saints: Saint Pascual Baylon, Saint Clare of Assisi and Nuestra Señora de Salambao,” said the priest in his message during one of the Masses.
“Let us offer our heart’s desire of either having a loving spouse, a healthy child, or good fortune by participating in the dance festival.”
Strengthening families, healing of the sick, passing board exams, finishing education, environmental protection, maintaining national peace and order, and in Mindanao, and revitalizing one’s call to priestly and religious vocations were among the devotees’ intentions.
Generations of devotees
Each day of the Triduum was filled with Mass schedules both in the morning and in the afternoon. The 7 a.m. Mass was then followed with a procession, featuring the three saints’ images, various dance groups, organizations and bands playing musical instruments made of bamboo or brass. This was when the devotees and the pilgrims would dance the fandango and other forms of folk dances in the streets while singing the traditional hymn “Santa Clara Pinung-Pino” (“Saint Clare, Most Refined”).
“My [ancestors] have been accompanying the street dancers with our music using these native instruments way back 1854 and I already belong to the seventh generation” Rodrigo Anastacio, leader of Sta. Clara Musikong Bumbong, told CBCP News.
“I must say that we are proud of being a part of this yearly festivity and we pledge to continue this devotion and sacrifice to honor our patrons and to preserve this tradition for the generations to come.”
The Grand Marian Procession concluded the three-day festival on May 19.
Luke Godoy and Myraine Carluen Policarpio/CBCP News
Image credits: Rainier Policarpio/CBCPNews