The Diocese of Camden’s Filipino Apostolate gathered in the pews and outside around the Church of the Incarnation in Mantua on May 19 to celebrate the Feast of Santacruzan and honor the Virgin Mary. A tradition held fast by Filipino Catholics around the world during May, the month of the Blessed Mother, Santacruzan commemorates the finding of the true cross of Jesus in Jerusalem by Queen Helena (Reyna Elena), mother of Emperor Constantine the Great, in the 4th century.
The South Jersey celebration included Mass and youngsters holding up letters that spelled “Ave Maria”; women dressed as Reyna Elena during a procession with a statue of the Blessed Mother and prayers; a Filipino choir and more. Celebrating the liturgy was Father Michael A.J. de Leon, A.M., pastor of Saint Simon Stock Parish, Berlin; Deacon Fernando “Andy” Encarnado from Our Lady of Hope Parish, Blackwood, assisted.
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