NATIONAL CITY — “We should thank God for how grounded we are in our history together, not only just within our culture, but also within our faith.”
That is how Father Chris Bongato began his homily at the vigil Mass for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity on May 30 at St. Mary Church.
He was celebrating three milestones: the 100th anniversary of St. Mary Parish; the Filipino Santacruzan tradition, whose centerpiece was a grand procession, and his first liturgy as the diocese’s new vicar for Ethnic and Intercultural Communities.
The parish congregation is mainly comprised of Filipino and Mexican families, which share a common heritage. Spain ruled Mexico and the Philippines for about 300 years. The Spanish colonizers, particularly Catholic missionaries, profoundly shaped both cultures. Indeed, English, Spanish and Tagalog blended seamlessly during the day’s liturgy and procession.
The Mass was part of the second annual Santacruzan celebration organized by the Diocesan Commission for Filipino Catholics. The celebration is a popular Filipino devotion that honors the Virgin Mary and comes at the end of a month of floral offerings and rosaries for her, called Flores de Mayo.
“The Santacruzan tradition is deeply rooted in our Catholic faith and Filipino heritage,” said Yolamarie Arguilla, a commission leader and longtime member of St. Mary’s Parish, in opening remarks at the Mass.
She explained that the tradition commemorates the search by St. Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, in the early 4th century for the cross upon which Jesus Christ was crucified.
“Through faith and perseverance, the True Cross was discovered in Jerusalem, a powerful reminder that salvation comes through the cross of Christ,” she said.
“As we celebrate this centennial year, may we remember that for 100 years this parish has carried the cross of Christ through generations, in times of joy and friendship, in mission and service, and in prayer and sacrifice,” she continued. “We honor the faith of those who came before us and entrust the future of our Church to the next generation.”
The parish, led by Father Nemesio Sungcad, is planning a grand centennial celebration on Nov. 14, the date of its dedication in 1926.
In his homily, Father Bongato challenged the Mass-goers to delve deeper into the day’s celebrations, the Most Holy Trinity and Santacruzan.
“God is not meant to be understood as three independent entities” that make the one whole, he said. Rather, the concept is harder to grasp, he continued.
“We have to pay attention to how God has revealed himself to us,” he said. “The Son reveals the Father to us. And the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us, makes known who Jesus is, and in turn, the Father.”
He said that, in the very being of God, there is a community of Persons united perfectly in love.
“God is love, perfect and infinite.”
Then Father Bongato, who was born in the Philippines, turned to the day’s other celebration, Santacruzan.
“St. Helena led excavations, moving all these rocks to find the True Cross of Christ … This is something that we have to dig up for ourselves, figuratively speaking, to seek the True Cross of our faith, which gives us salvation.”
He challenged the next generation “to also shake the dust off and find what’s underneath, see what the treasure our faith is.”
After the Mass, the faithful moved outside for a procession on the streets around the church. A total of 15 parishes and groups participated.
The procession was made up of historical, biblical and Marian characters, led by the Queen of Peace. It included 23 “reinas,” young queens dressed in beautiful gowns, each escorted by a young man in traditional attire. They walked under arches, known as “arcos,” adorned with fresh and brightly colored paper flowers.
Men pushed three “carrozas,” or carts, beautifully decorated with fresh flowers carrying statues of Our Lady of Manaoag, Our Lady of Fatima and the Virgin Mary.
“The Santacruzan teaches us about faith, hope, charity, humility, purity and obedience to God,” Arguilla said. “Above all, it points us to Jesus Christ, who gave his life on the cross out of love for humanity.”
