Members of the Fil-Am Association of the Quad Cities participate in a Santacruzan procession outside St. John Vianney Parish in Bettendorf May 31.
By Anne Marie Amacher
The Catholic Messenger
BETTENDORF — Catholic members of the Fil-Am Association of the Quad Cities Area processed through the parking lot of St. John Vianney Parish to celebrate Santacruzan on May 31. Four women, dressed in formal dresses, wore tiaras to represent different queens related to the Church. They also symbolized the association’s journey from its foundations laid by previous generations to the promise and opportunities that await the future generations, said Chris Kellner, Fil-Am Association president.
“Santacruzan is a living expression of Filipino values of faith in God, respect for history, love for beauty and strength in community,” said Kellner.
The procession also had children carrying letters to spell out Ave Maria, a statue of Mary on a float surrounded by flowers and pulled by members of the community. The group also recited the rosary and between decades, sang the hymn “Dios Salva,” which means “God Saves” in Spanish.
Following the processions, the Catholic community celebrated Mass in the church, then attended a reception in the hall with authentic Filipino food.
Father Rudolph Juarez, pastor of St. Anthony Parish in Davenport, presided at the Mass and was assisted by Deacon Daryl Fortin of St. John Vianney Parish.
During his homily, Father Juarez said, “Well, it happened again. Just this week I was asked if I was Filipino. My stock answer is no — but I wish I were.”
He said recently he saw a young girl, about 12-year-old, wearing a shirt that said, “I have issues.” That reminded him of the story of Elizabeth from France, who became St. Elizabeth of the Trinity.
Elizabeth had a temper as a child. A priest told her mother that Elizabeth would be a devil or an angel.
At around age 11, Elizabeth received her first Communion. Some religious Carmelite sisters ran into her. One told Elizabeth that her name meant “honor of God.”
Father Juarez said Elizabeth was moved by the words of the sister. The accomplished pianist and catechist later entered the Carmelite order at age 21. “She died five years later of kidney disease,” he said.
Elizabeth had a desire to be holy, he said. She had a relationship of love for the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Her way of life followed the Latin phrase: lex oremus, lex credimu, lex vivimu — which is how we pray, how we believe and how we live.
“We should never give up on ourselves,” Father Juarez said. “God has never given up on us.”
During the reception that followed, the royal court was introduced: Reyna (Queen) Elena was Alexis Ciel who represented the mother of Constantine the Great, the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity. Reyna Emperatriz was Cecilia Bernas who represented the Queen Mother and is a past Fil-Am President; Reyna Fe was Lachic Bernas who represented the Queen of Faith and Reyna Esperanza was Carmen Floro who represented the Queen of Hope and was a past president.
Entertainment at the reception included singing by the choir and individuals and dancing.
Flores de Mayo: A Floral Journey of Faith and Heritage
In May, the Fil-Am Association of the Quad Cities gathers in a strong tradition, to celebrate the culmination of a month- long devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Kellner said. “Rooted in deep Catholic devotion and richly woven into Filipino heritage, Santacruzan is a religious commemoration of the finding of the Holy Cross during a pilgrimage to the Holy Land led by Queen Helena of Constantinople.”
A Festival of Flowers and Faith
Flores de Mayo or “Flowers of May” is observed throughout the Philippines as a tribute to the Blessed Virgin Mary. For the entire month, devotees gather to offer flowers, recite the rosary and sing hymns. This tradition, introduced during the Spanish colonial era, remains a vibrant symbol of the Filipinos’ enduring Marian devotion.
Alexis Ciel places a crown of flowers on a statue of Mary during Mass at St. John Vianney Parish in Bettendorf May 31. The crowing was part of a Filipino tradition of Santacruzan.
The Highlight: The Santacruzan
The crowning event of Flores de Mayo is the Santacruzan, typically held on the last day of May. This grand procession commemorates of Queen Helena (Reyna Elena) and her son, Emperor Constantine.
This year marks a golden anniversary for the association, Kellner said. This year’s Santacruzan theme was to honor the legacy of those who helped build the association.
A Celebration of Faith
During Mass, children presented flowers to the Blessed Virgin Mary (statue) in an expression of devotion and reverence, Kellner said. The crowning of Mary, during Mass, was performed by Amy Sales, past Fil-Am Association president, alongside the current honored Reyna Elena, Ciel; the first Elena Reyna was Noemi Marilim.
“Together, we celebrate our past, strengthen our present, and build a future rooted in faith, hope, unity, and Filipino pride,” Kellner said.
