THE VIA CRUCIS IN MARYHILLS: HOLY WEEK

Hello Hivers! How's your day? I guess it is pretty good. Before I want to start my story, I would like to ask your permission to share it with you. Also, this story will surely contribute you a reflection or lessons you may be grateful every single day. However we're all grateful by the love, grace and mercy of our God. Allow me to tell a new story even though few of us can understand and experience of this event. How can you define HOLY WEEK base on your own understanding or experiences?

I am celebrating my holy week in the place where I could find peace, joy and sacrifices. The place that I forever cherished. I am grateful that I am the devotee of this organization in which reminds me that I'm not alone. Anyways, every holy week here in Antipolo Maryhills, the mountain of flowers and prayers, is different than others. For this event, we're going to repent our sins by observation and reflect the sacrifice of Jesus.

Before going to start the VIA CRUCIS the altar server or the devotee need to prepare the procession. We should bring candles for the light if we over come the night. Actually, it started at 4:26 pm in the afternoon. The traditional sacrifice to offer our sins and surrender of our fears and problems.

We start walking without any slippers or shoes in our foot, except the children or the senior citizens. We start walking in the afternoon, and sing the song for the holy week. This time, I realized how great the love of the lord, when he was in this world. From this chance we realized the sacrifice and feel the pain while we doing the VIA CRUCIS.

Many devotees trying to come over here just to sacrifice and can offer even in a single effort for the lord. We are obliged to wear the formal attire if we are here in Maryhills. Maryhills is the holy mountain that we should give respect and values. You cannot wear shorts, crop tops and other moderns attires that are not suit for the rules. We must wear formal attire to follow the deeds and attitude of Mother Mary. The most important thing is wearing this veil warmth my heart.

We stopped every station of the Cross, by the lead of spiritual director Bro. Cesar Perez. Praying and imagine the sacrifices of Jesus in his passion of the cross. Every station we must lay down our knee in the ground. We don't mind the roughness and the pain of our knees. If you feel too much pain in your knees it means that the pain you feel while you doing this, is the numerous or equivalent of your sins.

The men carrying Jesus of the Nazarene's sculpture while the women for Mother Mary. We don't mind the tiredness and the pain of our foot, walking in this mountain, full of stones that can be hurt. The stones are so sharp, but by the grace of the Lord, it couldn't harm you. You will repent your sins and ask forgiveness.

It doesn't mean even it is traditional we obliged to do this, instead of following his passion to remind us that lord is our savior. Do not be afraid in following him, unless you cannot admit to your self that you're a sinner. Humility and forgiveness in this time are valuable.

This event usually happens during holy Friday. Holy Friday is the time we must need fasting, prayer and sacrifices. This passion of the cross, honoured by beloved devotee to offer, serve and humility. By doing this, it is blessing having this opportunity and chance in serving God wholeheartedly.

So, this is my perspective for the definition of the holy week;

Holy week is the traditional event for Christians. The time for the passion of cross and the confession of our sins. Holy week teach me the humility and acceptance of my sins. I learn how to give forgiveness and love those people doesn't deserve to be love. I learn to serve and offer my life through my strong faith and love for him. He is my strength, comforter, savoir and friend.

We sacrifice not only for our sins but for the salvation of the whole world. Many people forget what is the meaning of the Holy week. They find the place where they can go outing,instead of the repentance of their sins. Some of them having fun instead of mourning. Holy week is the mourning days, the time you have to repent and surrender your sins. The only thing when the lord want to ask something for us is our sins. This is the only thing that the Lord didn't have this. He is the owner of everything especially our life. Sacrifice and offer your life for him. Stop looking places where it is perfectly for relaxing. This is the time to put ourselves to the presence of our lord. Follow his deeds and his words. The word of God is our healer, hope and love.

THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS!