The Filipino-American Association of Iowa-Illinois Quad Cities invites Catholics to a celebration of “Flores de Mayo/Santacruzan” on May 19 at St. Ambrose University in Davenport.
The phrase “Flores de Mayo” translates in English to “Flowers of May,” said Eleonor Mendoza-Gonzales, president of the Filipino-American Association. “Santacruzan” is a celebration of the finding of the Holy Cross by St. Helene, the mother of Emperor Constantine, who made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire in the fourth century. “These two events are celebrated together in May.”
Filipinos’ tradition of devoting the month of May to the Blessed Mother comes from the country’s strong Catholic roots after having been a colony of Spain for more than 300 years, Mendoza-Gonzales said.
To read the rest of this article, subscribe to The Catholic Messenger’s e-edition.
