Flores de Mayo, Circa 79

In May of 1979, the summer following the end of our kindergarten class, my maternal grandmother took my younger sister and me under her wing to participate in the Flores de Mayo at the GKK Sagrada Familia Chapel of DDF Village in Mandug, where we were living at the time. Every afternoon during the Flores de Mayo sessions, our Lola would accompany us as we gathered flowers from our neighborhood to offer to the image of Mama Mary. Following each session, there was a delightful merienda for everyone to enjoy. I’ll never forget the final day, when we were each given a rosary ring, a string of rosary beads, and a stampita of Mama Mary. Looking back, this experience was my first introduction to Mama Mary, and I am deeply grateful to my late grandmother for it.

From then on, I learned to appreciate Mama Mary and the role she played in Jesus’ life. As I matured, and became a mother myself, Mama Mary became an inspiration in dealing with the challenges that life offered. I seek comfort to Our Mother of Perpetual Help in times of need and she never fails to offer strength and guidance. Through her intercession, she leads me to be more prayerful and trusting to God.

Indeed, Flores de Mayo is a good venue to introduce the life and works of Mama Mary to children in our respective GKKs. May it continue to be done with the aim to spread the love for Mama Mary to every child. And may parents and their elders allow their children to participate in the Flores de Mayo in their own GKKs.

Dear Mama Mary, thank you for loving us as your own children. Thank you for your constant intercession in times of need. Thank you also for covering us with your mantle of protection.

May we be like you, pure, gentle and obedient. Amen.

“Let us run to Mary, and, as her little children, cast ourselves into her arms with a perfect confidence.” – Saint Francis de Sales