South Africa parish holds Flores de Mayo

A Catholic parish in Pretoria in South Africa held its first-ever Flores de Mayo, a popular Filipino tradition held in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Philippine Charge d'Affaires to Pretoria Eric Aquino said the Philippine Embassy initiated the holding of the first Flores de Mayo in South Africa at the Christ the King Parish Church. "The event was the first time of its kind to be held at the church. (Parish priest Fr. Craigh Laubscher) commented on how delighted he was to see and experience the 'unique passion of Filipinos in expressing their faith,'" the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a press statement posted on its website. The Flores de Mayo was held on all Sundays of May starting on May 8, the DFA said. The activity was organized by the Embassy with the support of the Filipino community and Christ the King Parish Council led by Laubscher. The DFA said this was part of efforts to introduce Philippine culture to South Africans. The festival was held after the final morning mass each Sunday of May. The activities included the praying of the rosary, flower offerings to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and sharing of homemade Filipino delicacies as traditionally practiced in the Philippines. "Most of the attendees of the festival were family and friends of the Filipino community and parishioners who are South Africans, Portuguese and Indians," the DFA said. The Embassy served homemade Filipino delicacies such as biko, arroz caldo, puto, kutsinta, sapin-sapin, pichi-pichi, maja blanca, pandesal, turon, lumpia, pancit, kapeng barako, salabat, and melon juice. The highlight of the month-long festival was a special ceremony held on May 29, when selected children led the flower offertory and the formation of a big rosary made of balloons while reciting the prayer. "The final rite was the release of the rosary balloon outside the Church to the great joy of the participants," the DFA said. - VVP, GMA News