Flores de Mayo and Culmination

The month of May is intended for the celebration and devotion for our Blessed Virgin
Mary. Due to strict health protocols because of the pandemic, Flores de Mayo in every Basic
Ecclesial Community (BEC) area was temporarily restricted. Nonetheless, the Parish of San
Nicolas de Tolentino (SNDTP) with the participation of LAY organizations found a way for this
everyday activity to still be possible. This month-long traditional celebration was held inside the
SNDTP church and started on May 3, 2021 every 4:00 o’clock in the afternoon. 

As an organization formed by Mary’s virtue and grace, the Children of Mary (COM)
offered their time and effort in expressing their adoration for Mary in this year's Flores de Mayo.
The said one-month activity is composed of learning the catechism, faith sharing, solemn
invocation, and the praying of the Holy Rosary. In addition to this, the traditional offering of
flowers at the foot of our Beloved Mother was also practiced -- a sign of the parishioners' love
for Mary. 

         To officially end the Flores de Mayo, a congregation mass that was presided over by
Rev. Fr. Niño Caesar Ruiz, OAR has been offered in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and for
the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. The culmination was on the last Sunday of the month,
May 30, 2021.  Right after the mass, the blessing of the religious image of St. Joseph and the
coronation of the Blessed Virgin followed. Mother Mary was offered with lei by a full-fledged
member of the COM and was crowned by Fr. Niño; To honor Her as our Mother and as the
Queen of Heaven and Earth. The activity ended by a dance presented by the youth of the
parish, which was gladly participated by the COM members.