Flores de mayo is a Catholic festival held the entire month of May and every year to express the gratitude of the Filipinos to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The name itself Flores de Mayo or Flowers of May, reflects the tradition of offering flowers as a tribute to the Virgin Mary.
My cousin came to our house yesterday to invite my children to our church to join the Flores de Mayo. This was a kind of event where children mostly joined. Without hesitation I say yes to the invitation, it is a way for my kids to get closer to our dear Virgin Mother Mary. Where they can instill some religious values and a sense of spirituality. They can also learn about the life of the Virgin Mary and christian doctrines through catechism and teachings offered during the event.
My kids are happy to join the event and excited to learn about Flores de Mayo.
We just walk through the church, it is located just a walking distance from our home, maybe 5 t 7 minutes of walking.
As we neared the arc on our church, I took pictures of my kids walking hand in hand. How I love seeing them this sweet to each other because mostly at home, they are seem like cats and dogs who are always fighting every single day. My heart melted upon seeing there gesture.
When we reach the church, there are no other kids we see except from my kids, and someone told us that we came too early. So we waited for them outside the church and took some pictures. The caretaker in the church told us that the event started on May 1 and my kids missed many meetings, but my kids can still join the event and should go to church every 3 in the afternoon.
We decided to get inside the church and wait for the other kids and catechists because inside there are chairs where we can sit while waiting for others.
We waited for several minutes and as time passed by , people started to arrived at the church. And my kids are sitting on the chair observing everyone around because honestly they are not used to going to church. These two older ladies on the front are their catechist teachers. They are so nice to the kids and teaching them nicely and easily gets the heart of the children.
Before they start we quickly get some water to drink because it was too hot and we don't bring water with us. I bring my daughter with me because she doesn't want me to leave her behind, she has this attitude that wherever I go she is always with me.
The catechist start their teachings and I settled at the back listening and watching all of them inside. I really enjoyed the peace I'm feeling upon hearing the prayers of the children. Inside the church my heart was so really at peace and I cant explain why is that. I am a Christian, but honestly speaking, I don't go to church every Sunday, I went to church 1 or 2 times a year only. I believed there was a God but I don't get used to going to church.
As I sat at the back I saw these cute kids joining the event. They are the angels at the Flores de Mayo.
They started their rosary, and I joined the prayer. I really love the feeling I am feeling at that moment, peace and quiet. I really need this in my life.
When the rosary is nearly over, parents and some of the big sisters of the kids are putting their costumes on the little ones to prepare for the procession down the aisle of the church.
How cute are they after they get dressed.
Especially this 1 and a half year old kid. Her costumes really look good on her.
Now that it's time for the procession down the aisle, they let my kids to experience to walk and carry the letters of AVE MARIA. The kids are offering Flores to Mama Mary, and my kids just watched them because we don't bring flowers.
The teachings and prayers ended and start for another tomorrow at the same time. So we part ways with the other parents and kids and walk on or way home. We promised to come back tomorrow for another teachings.
I haven't experienced joining a Flores de Mayo when I was a kid, because both my parents are working and nobody accompany me to like this event. So now that I'm a parent , I love to experience them the things that I don't experience before.
I will end my blog here and hope you enjoy reading it. Have a good day everyone 💗.