Una Fides

Clarifications on the Celebration of Religious Processions During Holy

Week
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There is one faith, one baptism, one Lord of all. The call of the bishop to all clergy and
laity alike is the voice of Christ that calls the flock into the one sheepfold. This call for
unity is found in its utmost expression in the celebration of the liturgy most especially
the Paschal Triduum. In the past the former pastors of the diocese had labored hard so
that the celebrations and expressions of devotions held most especially during holy
week be in accordance to the norms of true liturgical life. Though important and still
valid, another consideration is to be added to the former. This consideration is in the
mind of the present shephered of the diocese so that those who desire to interpret the
past pronouncements may be able to fully understand it in light of the true Spirit of the
liturgical norms. Sacrocanctum Consilium states; Devotions proper to individual
churches also have a special dignity if they are undertaken by the order of the bishops
according to customs or books lawfully approved.[1] This clarification is sent so that
other valid cultural as well as historical expressions not be lost from the local liturgical
life
of
the
diocese.
HISTORICAL

BACKGROUND

The earliest processions having a religious tone, would already be seen in Holy
scripture such as the march around the walls of Jericho and the solemn entry of the ark
of the covenant into the city of David, the liturgical procession per se will only enter the
life of the church during the age of the Byzantine imperial court. It is in this church age
where many of the imperial trappings would be taken over by the bishop of Rome, one
such important feature is the solemn processions that would constitute the celebration
of the divine liturgy. From its functional beginnings during the liturgy, the procession
would enter a period of various developments most especially in the realm of

pilgrimages and later on the religious processions. The liturgical procession would no
longer only be in the confines of the use of the celebration of the eucharist such as the
case of the stational masses of the bishop of Rome but would be directly attached to
various devotions such as the veneration of the relics and images of the saints. These
processions in honor of the Saints would be so popular in the Iberian continent that they
would indeed be important spectacles most especially in Seville and other parts of
Spain. It is, this heritage that our colonizers transplanted in our native soil.
Up to the writing of this document the popularity and power of processions is still closely
linked with the fervor and simple faith of our people. One must only witness the
processions of the Black Nazarene and the Virgin of Penafrancia to conclude that
indeed the procession in the Philippines is here to stay. In our own diocese the annual
Turumba festival and the long lines to Lolo Uweng in Brgy. Landayan and the various
holy week processions are manifestations of the power of Christian iconography on our
faithful. Though there have been abuses in the past that have made this valid
expression of faith into an occasion of revelry and superstition, the spiritual benefit of
the
procession
as
a
whole
outweighs
the
negative
aspects.
Thus the bishop as the liturgist of the Diocese has decided to draw up guidelines and
clarifications so that the abuses which are caused because of ignorance of the faithful
as well as some pastors regarding the proper implementation of the liturgical procession
be corrected. This document will be of great help for pastors as well as lay faithful to
use the procession as a means of evangelization as well as a deepening of the common
peoples
understanding
of
the
faith.
This document will try to address most importantly the processions of holy week in
particular and parish scenarios that is common within the Diocese of San Pablo, namely
century Old parishes that have traditions, Old parishes that have traditions needing
revision due to inconsistencies with the liturgical norms and newly created parishes that
have celebrations of recent origins because of the introduction of the pastor.
The

Processions

of

Holy

Week

Holy week is an important time not only in the liturgical calendar but also to our culture
as Filipino Catholics. Not only in the celebration of the liturgy is the faith expressed but
also
in
the
various
expressions
of
devotions.
Palm

Sunday

of

the

Lords

passion

During Palm Sunday of the Lords Passion, the liturgy begins with a blessing of palm
branches and a procession to commemorate the Lords entry to Jerusalem. Its origins
can be seen in the accounts of the travel diary of Egeria and the place of origin is the
city of Jerusalem where you have the holy sites. In the course of the development of the
roman rite the blessing and procession of Palm branches got fused with the Roman
tradition of solemnly reciting the Passion of the Lord on Palm Sunday hence the reason
for
the
official
title
of
this
day.

Filipinos are fond of Mimesis (bringing to life the events of the past with actions of the
present rites and symbols.) and so in some parishes during the procession some priests
even ride a horse in the procession while ladies lay cloths in the path. Though the intent
is laudable the use of a horse would run contrary with biblical tradition that a donkey
and not a horse was used.[2] Some parishes also make the use of the paso (scene) of
Christs entry into Jerusalem though its use would lessen the impact of the priest as the
one who acts as Christ during the procession. With the necessary considerations, the
following
recommendations
are
given:

1.

First in parishes who make use of the animal in the procession the mule
or donkey is to be used and not the horse.

2.

Second in parishes that already have a long tradition (fifty years

onward) of using the paso of Christ entry into Jerusalem, if it is possible
that the pastor can convince the owner of the image to transfer
this paso in the procession of holy Wednesday if not, the sensibilities of
the faithful is to be respected. For new parishes it is better that the
inclusion of this paso during the liturgy of Palm Sunday not be
permitted.

3.

Third the rite given us by the Roman Sacramentary provides that the
blessing of palms be celebrated before the celebration of the mass and
not after. Thus the formulary of blessing can only be done during the
celebration of the liturgy. For parishioners coming in late a simple nonliturgical blessing with the use of holy water may be given outside the
church. The blessing and procession at the beginning of mass should
not be changed just because many parishioners are coming late for the
celebrations.

Station

of

the

cross

This popular devotion has easily taken root in our country all age brackets and levels of
society
easily
relate
to
its
prayers.

1.

In Parishes the stations of the cross may be done preferably on Fridays of Lent.
It can also be done on Good Friday morning but not on Holy Thursday evening

for the focus of the liturgy of the Church is the gift of the eucharist and not yet the
sacrifice of the cross that is the focus of Good Friday.
2.

In latter years the traditional station of the cross which starts form the
trial of Pilate to the burial of Christ was given another option that tries to
encapsulate the whole of the paschal mystery. It starts with the
establishment of the Eucharist and ends with the resurrection. Though
this newer version of the way of the cross is generally used it in no way
abrogates the older set of stations which even up today is used by the
present pope. Whatever option is used one must be aware that in
setting up the stations outside the church the cross is the essential part
of the station and not the meditative pictures that accompany it, though
the accompanying iconography is an effective aid to each station.

3.

In some parishes, the youth conduct mini plays at each station to make
the story of the passion more apt for the present situation of the people.
Though laudable the pastor must strike a balance so that the original
intent and traditional prayers may not be lost to other agendas not in
keeping with the true spirit of the liturgy. The use of music and Christian
Art may also be employed provided that they do not run contrary to
authentic church teaching.

Holy

Wednesday

The procession of Holy Wednesday most especially in older parishes of our diocese
focuses on the various depictions of the Lords life ministry and passion.

1.

It is laudable if the order of the images are arranged according to the

events of the Lords life, ministry, passion and the various saints that are
directly connected with the events of Holy week. Other images that are
not in keeping with the liturgical season are to be removed from the line
up.

2.

In order that these processions to be truly instructive, carrozas may be equipped

with appropriate name plates so that the people may be able to understand
the paso or image that is depicted in the participating carrozas.

3.

A brief celebration of the liturgy of the word may be held before the start
of the procession to help the faithful to enter with full understanding

regarding procession that they are taking part in. The use of holy water
and incense for the veneration of the sacred images is to be retained.
4.

The pastor or his collaborators both clergy and laity is to give

instructions and if possible conduct a talk regarding sacred images and
their importance in the spiritual life of the Christian at least weeks before
the start of Holy week. This is to be done in parishes where there are
sodalities, groups and families that take care of the sacred images for
holy week. It is an important apostolate of the parish so that the owners
of the images and their heirs may be able to appreciate better their role
in edifying the faith of their brothers and sisters in the parish.

5.

Christian art is done for the glory of God and is meant for the edification
of the faithful. True beauty is to be fostered and mediocre forms of art
and materials must be avoided in our processions but we must also
careful not to turn this processions into extravagant displays that are no
longer instructive but may cause scandal to the sensibilities of the
faithful.

6.

The importance of prayer is to be emphasized and given priority. In

parishes where there is no standing tradition of Wednesday processions
the parish celebration of Tenebrae[3] is recommended after the
afternoon mass of Holy Wednesday.

7.

In some century old parishes most especially with the case of Paete, the
format of their procession that depicts the story of the passion in a more
dramatic form is to be respected and preserved as both a cultural and
spiritual treasure of our local church.

Maundy

Thursday

The solemn transfer of the eucharist after the communion rite in the mass of the Lords
Supper though short in comparison to other processions of holy week is significant.
From the middle ages the solemn transfer highlights the churchs regard to the eucharist
as
the
greatest
gift
of
Christ
to
his
church.

1.

We again remind all that this is a solemn transfer and so signs of honor such as
incense candles and even the traditional Eucharistic canopy or umbrelino is
laudable and is to be used.

2.

The solemn transfer is integral to the liturgy of the mass of the Lords
supper and is not to be transferred or even deferred to a latter time.

3.

This is a transposition of the blessed sacrament not an exposition. Thus

the eucharist is to be placed inside a tabernacle during the vigil in one of
the side altars or chapels of the parish church. The use of the
monstrance or ciborium that has only a cloth cover and is not placed
inside a closed tabernacle is forbidden.

Good

Friday

Good Friday centers on the price with which Christ paid for the liberation of mankind
from
sin
death
and
division.

1.

As a standard norm, the procession of Good Friday primarily depicts the death
and solemn burial entourage of the Dead Christ. This will be mandatory for our
parishes that already have grown accustomed to this practice and to parishes
that are newly established and do not have a century old tradition.

2.

In some parishes that do not have a Wednesday procession the other

images of Christs ministry and passion may be included in this
procession provided that they follow the following order namely the life
and ministry of Christ, the passion and death of the redeemer, and last
the image of the dead Christ with the burial entourage. It is to be noted
that this last part of the procession is to be given highlight and priority.

3.

Some parishes have the tradition of another procession of the sorrowful

mother after the procession of the burial of Christ. This procession is
commonly called the procesion del silencio or pagbabagtas which
commemorates the sorrowful meditation of the blessed Mother after the
work of redemption was accomplished in the cross. This procession is to
be continued and respected wherever it has been observed.

4.

Like the Wednesday procession a short liturgy of the word would be

appropriate to open this solemn procession if it is feasible. The use of
liturgical banners and nameplates that placed on the carrozas may be
effective instruments of evangelization and catechesis. A commentator
may also be assigned to give short introductions and appropriate
scriptural passages to lead the people in a spirit of prayer.

5.

The use of incense and holy water for the veneration of the sacred
images are retained. The image of the dead Christ after the procession
may lay in state inside the church for the veneration of the faithful and
remains there until Holy Saturday morning accompanied at the side with
an image of the sorrowful mother. They are then kept afterwards before
the start of the easter vigil Any form of fanaticism and superstitious
beliefs involving these images are to be corrected.

Encuentro
The procession that ends the Paschal Triduum in our country is well attended and is
also
a
great
moment
to
evangelize
our
people.

1.

The traditional Encuentro is the meeting of the image of the Risen Christ and Our
Lady. Before the actual encuentro, the entourage of the risen Christ is marked
with signs of festivity (eg. musical band and festive lights.) while the entourage of
our Lady is a little bit somber.

2.

In the case of some parishes that have a long standing tradition other
images of the apostles Peter and John, Mary Magdalene and the other
women are included so that the Easter story is unfolded in its entirety.
These are also not in opposition to the central event which is the
meeting of the image of Christ and Mary and may continue as long as
they serve to instruct and edify the faithful.

3.

The encuentro replaces the introductory part of the mass, we are to

follow its instructions as stated in the Ordo. During the whole easter
season the Regina Coeli is sung or prayed in place of the regular
Angelus.

Having presented these options and clarifications, it is our hope that the true Spirit of
the Liturgy as expressed in the prayers and numerous devotions of holy week may unite
our people rather than divide them. In like manner the document Summorum Pontificum
of our current pope is not only a document on liturgy, it is essentially about the churchs
mission to be mater et magistra. The mother who gathers all her children in the unity
of faith and teacher who instructs them of the richness and the diverse expressions of
their faith. It is our hope that these clarifications may allow our faithful to guard and
nourish the faith and traditions that are passed unto them. May He who is conqueror of

sin

and

death

unite

us

into

the

joy

and

peace

of

the

resurrection.

Rev. Fr. Christian Edward L. Abao

Director, Diocesan Commission on Liturgy
Most Rev. Leo M. Drona, SDB, D.D.
Bishop of San Pablo
-----------------------------------------------------------------[1] Vatican
II
Sacrosanctum
Consillium
(Costello
Publishing
Company)13,7.
[2] The donkey was used by Christ and not the horse for he came not as a general to destroy his enemies but to save
the people from their sins. He came not as violent general but as a humble servant being led to his place of sacrifice.
He was the redeemer of souls and not the liberator of Israel from the temporal empire of Rome. For better accuracy a
donkey or ass is to be used when the priest indeed decides to make use of an animal during the procession.
[3] Tenebrae a word which means darkness, it is the celebration of Vespers or office of readings accompanied with
the gradual extinguishing of the candles of the Tenebrae hearse in the sanctuary.

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