ILOILO City – Were it not for the restrictions brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, Catholic Christians, especially children, would be flocking to churches and chapels for Flores de Mayo.
The flower-and-prayer offering activity is a church tradition practiced every May in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Last year, the Archdiocese of Jaro encouraged the holding of Flores de Mayo at home where parents could teach their children prayers and other teachings of the church.
According to Father Angelo Colada, director of the Archdiocese of Jaro’s Commission on Social Communications, “This is an opportunity subong kay wala sang katekisis ang mga kabataan sa schools kag indi sila makatipon sa simbahan.”
But even at home, Colada said, family members must continue observing minimum health protocols such as the wearing of facemask and face shield and proper hand sanitation, among others.
Colada said the archdiocese discourages face-to-face “Flores” to avoid large crowds that make physical distancing difficult to observe.
However, he admitted, there are chapels and churches in far-flung barangays with no recorded infections hold “Flores”.
In this case, Colada said, permission from the barangay council may be needed./PN
