“Flores de Mayo” still blooms in Sto. Niño Parish, Kaputian

For many children, summer is nothing less than a vacation, a break from school. Not for the children in the “Poblacion” of Kaputian, for their summer vacation was made more meaningful by the so called “Flores de Mayo” facilitated by some volunteer catechists of the parish.

During the whole month of May, around eighty young boys and girls went regularly to the parish to attend the Flores de Mayo classes. Every day they were given a short catechesis on the life and the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the history of salvation. As tender as their age, they were also taught basic prayers, such as the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer, Hail Mary, Creed, etc. They also learned how to pray the Holy Rosary. Every day, led by the children themselves, they prayed the novena to the Blessed Mother.

On May 30, the end of the month, they had the culminating activities.  At 3 o’clock in the afternoon, they had a procession with the o called “sagala”, after which the Holy Mass was presided over by the parish priest, Fr. Rico Enriquez. A short program followed, where the children’s effort were recognized and rewarded.

Fr. Rico expressed his joy upon seeing the children actively participating in this Flores de Mayo. For him, there is no greater joy than seeing the young boys and girls learn how to pray the rosary and the novena. In them, he sees himself in his childhood days.

He also expressed his gratitude to all who supported this activity: the volunteer teacher catechists, the parents of the children, and the people who generously shared their blessings by sponsoring the “merienda” for the kids.

For quite a number of years now, this beautiful religious practice has been stopped in the Poblacion of the Parish of Kaputian. Hence, Fr. Rico made every effort to have it back again in his parish. He hopes that all the GKKs belonging to the parish of Sto. Nino, Kaputian would soon follow this example.

Traditionally, Flores de Mayo has always been conducted every month of May in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In fact, “Flores de Mayo” is a Spanish phrase translated into English as “Flowers of May.” It is expected that on this special month, the different kinds of flowers would bloom more abundantly than usual. Children pick them and offer them to Mama Mary.

If so many children out there are just inside their houses with their eyes and attention focused on movies and video games, or just in the streets and the neighbourhood wandering around, they could take a break. Flores de Mayo is the best time of summer to enjoy with others kids while learning the basics of Christian Education!

by Sem. Christopher Alcayde