A Decade and Counting

On that Good Friday of 1999, I was a bit bored after two days of lounging at home sans regular programming on TV, plus taking into account the humid weather of summer. That same afternoon, there was a commotion in the compound, as my lola was rounding up the members of the family who will be joining the evening procession in the parish. I've never really joined a procession before, so I became curious and asked permission from my mom if I could join. Fortunately she allowed me on the condition that my elder cousin will tag along, and thus began a decade of my Good Friday devotion to my parish.

Only a few of the 60-something carrozas that participated in the Good Friday procession in Imus Cathedral this year.

Admittedly, at first, I did it to sate my curiosity and nothing more. A couple of years passed, and I began liking it and was fascinated as I watch people from different walks of life - men, women, children, the elderly, priests, lay people - gather on the very night of Good Friday to light candles for the colorful carrozas adorned with flowers that participated in the procession. Eventually the fascination gave way to a feeling of joy and a sense of fulfillment. And now that I'm older, the act has so much meaning for me than it ever did a decade ago. Spending an entire year in the hustle and bustle of work and leisure, joining the rest of my community in offering a few hours to the Church and her faithful servants is something I do, not to ask of anything from the Lord, but because it's the least a sinner like me could do for God in all humility and thanksgiving. And I know God listens to His people; it has been a decade of starry nights and a healthy community for the Diocese of Imus during Good Fridays. My only wish is that God would always give me the health to go on with my devotion for more decades to come. Who knows, I might even pass down the tradition to my children and grandchildren.