AMUMA’s Way of the Cross

The 1st Station will be in the house of Amuman Estrella who passed away a month ago. Her daughter believes that Estrel would still want to open their home to the Way of the Cross just like when she was alive. The 2nd Station is the home of cancer survivor Beth, then to the home of another survivor Doctora Mely – up to the 14th home Station.

A simple desire to bring God’s love to those who were house-bound due to cancer led the Amuma Cancer Support Group Foundation, Inc. to make this Way of the Cross pilgrimage. For more or less 10 years now, Amumans go from house to house of member warriors (those still on treatment), survivors, caregivers, and friends of those with cancer, and non members, every Maundy Thursday.

We encourage the pilgrims to go to confession to be powerful vessels of healing and peace, and advise the homeowners to prepare an altar, candles, and optional flowers. We tell the home stations not to prepare any food as we go “byob”, and even bring food ourselves for those who are in difficult situations. Ever the grateful and hospitable Pinoy, all Stations still prepare snacks, and some “pabaon” too. Members who cannot join pray with the group in their own homes.

Last year, as with this year, Amuma will start with the chrism mass at the San Pedro Cathedral and travel on convoy in 5-6 cars to the Recemptorist church for the opening prayer. We start from the homes of members in Sasa, go the rounds of subdivisions within the city. end at the Santo Rosario Church in Toril, and cap the Way of the Cross with a simple meal in my farm. Prayed repeatedly while travelling are the Rosary, Divine Mercy, and other prayers.

We visited the homes of those we met for the first time, homes of born-again Christians who just welcome any prayer, homes of Catholics who no longer go to mass. We have been to grand homes, simple homes, homes on stilts through alleys, back streets and wide streets.

In the home Stations, some sick pray The Way of The Cross themselves, and some pray for their incapacitated sick loved one. It is both painful and so GOD-glorifying to pray with those who have been away from the Church, and are now begging for forgiveness and an extension on life to a compassionate GOD. It was sad too when family members do not join, busy with the internet or television.

Many of those we visited are now gone.

Launched in July 2003, Amuma was founded by the late Dra. Margie P. Domingo (+) and co-founded by Fr. Alberto Alejo, SJ. Our Sige Daw book, stories of those who experienced cancer, was published years ago, and 2 books are in the making. We invite you to share your cancer stories too. We hold office at the Davao Imperial Hotel, 2nd Floor, through the kindness of the Ding (+) and Elsie Diaz family.

Amuma dreams of putting up a hospice sometime in the near future, and are praying for a donor of a land here in Davao City. In our hearts, we imagine a simple house where those with cancer can pray by themselves, listen to music, cry in the chapel, walk in the garden, or have someone who would understand and listen—a place where one meets another with the same bald head. Someone who may have lost hair but not hope.

A believer and witness to many miracles, Amuma believes this miracle will happen soon. We bless you, whoever you are!

Forever, to God be all glory! (Bella A. Sarenas)