May Flower Festival 2025

The Arrupe Migrant Center (AMC) of the Society of Jesus joyously celebrated the 21st May. Flower Festival (Flores de Mayo) on a sunny Sunday, May 25, 2025, at the St. Joseph Parish in Achrafieh, Beirut. May, a month dedicated to honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary, saw a vibrant display of devotion and cultural richness through the May Flower Festival and the captivating Santacruzan. The event featured a procession of queens, each one a reflection of the rich history of our faith, parading gracefully in festive attire.

A diverse gathering of migrant groups, including Filipinos, Africans, Sri Lankans, and Lebanese, filled the atmosphere with a sense of community and joy. The festivities commenced with a Living Rosary—participants held candles and flowers, creating a human rosary. Following this was the Santacruzan procession, where the elegantly dressed queens paraded from the parking lot to the church.

Fr. Henry Ponce, SJ, led the Eucharistic celebration, accompanied by other priests who joined in concelebration. After the Mass, a communal lunch was provided, fostering a sense of fellowship as attendees shared an abundance of delicious food and refreshing drinks. The afternoon program showcased the myriad talents of the participating groups, featuring captivating song and dance performances, cultural displays, and an energetic drum and lyre ensemble. The air was filled with laughter and cheers as people relished the performances and enjoyed the shared meal, making it a day that truly celebrated unity in diversity among the migrant communities served by AMC.

The Santacruzan is a significant religious and historical celebration in the Philippines, observed throughout May. It honors Queen Helena’s discovery of the Holy Cross of Jesus Christ during Emperor Constantine’s reign. After a vision instructing him to fight under the Holy Cross, Constantine became the first Christian emperor. In 326 A.D., inspired by her son’s experience, Reyna Helena journeyed to the Holy Land to find the true cross, marked with “INRI.” Her successful discovery led to widespread celebration and miraculous healings.

The Santacruzan procession serves as the highlight of the May Flower Festival, celebrated in cities and small villages across the Philippines. Instead of traditional icons or images, beautiful women don elegant and theatrical costumes, embodying biblical and historical figures. The participants in the parade, known as Sagalas, symbolize queens. Notably, nearly 90% of migrant workers are domestic helpers, laboring tirelessly throughout the year. However, during the May Flower Festival’s Santacruzan, they are given the chance to be “queens” themselves, an experience they eagerly await each year.

This celebration traces its roots back to the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854. Introduced by Spanish colonizers and celebrated for over a century, this religious tradition continues to thrive, resonating deeply in communities across Europe and America.

Fr. Henry Ponce, SJ,