Prayer Petitions Being Burned
For 3 years now, at the request of a long time good friend, I've done volunteer work for the annual Feast Day of the Mother of Perpetual Help, one of the Blessed Virgin Mary's (BVM) favorite depictions by those faithful people, those of relatively less faith from what is observed on the outside, and those decidedly curious onlookers. Of course, I like doing these volunteer works every chance I've got; I've gained much from it personally more than I can imagine those who have received my help have gained from my volunteer works in the first place. I've done works doing floral designs (where I always get to learn more about actual floral design techniques from among the best floral designers in NYC), as well as in installing and dismantling all the decorations for the celebrations, plus the whole process of providing a late dinner for those attendees and devotees. I've also gained so much in terms of getting myself acquainted with other volunteers and attendees to this whole gamut of annual religious feast day activities. From my observations, this is one of the activities primarily organized and joined in by Filipinos and those of Philippine-descent in this interesting part of Manhattan along the East Side. This has been an ongoing annual event on its 15th anniversary.
Yearly, a different color motif is decided and chosen to emphasize the major design thrust for the BVM, in her iconic image as the Mother of Perpetual Help. In 2006, we used pink; violet for 2007, and yellow for 2008 (my personal favorite). The main group of proponents for this event has been the Folk Choir that sings on scheduled masses on Sundays; a singing group made up of professionals, relatives, and immigrants. Of course, some will conveniently dismiss this as being just so religious, traditional, and even going on the very verge of fanaticism. I also notice some may have thought condescendingly of this as being just so frivolous, as the whole celebration entails a lot of design and logistical planning works, to include floral designs, the holding of a procession, the holding of a late dinner after the procession around 3 to 4 blocks from the Immaculate Conception Parish Church along 14th Street and 1st Avenue in Manhattan. Organizers have grown to realize all these years, particularly those engaged in doing religious activities, that they have to reach out and touch the senses of the curious onlooker, the devotee, the unbeliever, and the fanatic. The designs are put in place in efforts to touch the very hearts of those who care to join and participate (you gotta touch the heart first, even before you get going first base in touching the mind, as they say!). There are a number of people who'd be donating cash, as well, but a lot of what can be seen & experienced during the feast day celebration have been the result of pure volunteer work. As a personal act of faith, I've grown more and more convinced that it's by God's grace and mercy that celebration events like this happen here.
In the Philippines, where most people are observed to be more religious (Filipinos as having been introduced to the ways of Christianity by Spaniards, even way ahead of the Pilgrims here in the USA) , there's the huge Basilica of the Mother of Perpetual Help in Metro Manila. You'll encounter literally thousands of devotees throng and congregate particularly on Wednesdays, even after midnight. Those who dare to literally get in the way are forewarned to be in unknown peril for doing so, as traffic gets THAT bad on Wednesdays. The location of the Basilica attracts a lot traffic as it's along one of the major thoroughfares of the metropolis facing the Manila Bay. You can't help but notice so much commercial activities that expectedly happens and gets pursued by those engaged in business. It's also the Church where the then-future Pope John Paul II visited and said a mass during his first visit to the Philippines; he saw beyond the surface, and have remarked about the very strong faith he observed, that those persons in positions of power and authority try to dismiss and play around for their own personal, material purposes.
Just the same, there are so much to be learned, valued and appreciated from these activities, on the personal, spiritual, or even cultural context, as they're transported with some local flavors by being here in Manhattan. On the surface, the activities provide opportunities to highlight the diversity of cultures pursued and led by the residents of this side of Manhattan. During the procession, the attendees pass by a big number of commercial establishments, a recently closed Roman Catholic parish church, plus the front of a mosque. Other passers-by gawk and oogle, with natural curiosity at the site and parade of attendees joining the procession. You'd get to observe a number of attendees who may be psychotic cases, actually, participating in the procession and other activities. My other friend remembers someone who behaved oddly enough to be remembered, as she attempted all ways and means to join the procession last year. For this year, we've learned about a deranged young man who destroyed the decors made and installed for the picture in the Church, that happened at least 2 days before the feast day itself. I also remember one particular woman whose singing voice overwhelmed those of other participants and the Folk Choir while the image was in pause prior to being brought inside the school gym where the dinner would be held, and while the prayers petitions were being burned. But who knows what really goes on in the minds of these persons? Only something of the Most Holy and Spiritual will cause Evil to behave violently and disturbingly so as not be be extinguished involuntarily. However, there's really not much need to intellectualize on these spiritual matters as one meditates and analyzes why something like this event even ever gets to be celebrated here in Manhattan.
So far, I'm not familiar of any other similar activities that are basically religious & catholic in origin that takes place in other places here in Manhattan (pls correct me if I'm mistaken; I've heard some parishes also have their own versions as I've seen photos in other churches). Of course, other religions with presence here in Manhattan have their own share of festivities and the like. However, this feast day event gets to become more interesting as it gets to be able to take place and get held, amidst efforts to put a halt to everything or anything similar to this. If you happen to have grown to be that curious enough, please feel free to participate in any capacity you can provide (it happens every last Saturday of June yearly). The most wonderful things happen, largely on the personal, individual level. Last Saturday, I've seen again how the strong rains stopped pouring just before the head of the procession has stepped out to join those outside the Church, and get going towards the path of the procession. Something comes into my mind that tries to absorb and reflect on this happening. In these days, as one saint has once said, more things are brought about by prayers, more than anything else.
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