ASIA/TAIWAN - Filipino immigrants in Taipei hold traditional “Feast of the Cross”

Taipei (Agenzia Fides) – The celebration of the Feast of the Cross - “Santacruzan” or “Flores De Mayo” - held by Filipino immigrants is a support to the faith. The procession with the Cross is a courageous witness to citizens and is also a missionary commitment that Filipino workers have assumed during their time in Taipei. With these words, Archbishop John Hung, SVD of Taipei praised the solemn celebration of the Feast of the Cross promoted and animated by Filipino immigrants in Taipei on the last Sunday of the month of Mary, May 30. According to information received by Fides, over 600 Filipino workers attended the Mass and procession, which lasted an hour and a half, as well as a moment of fellowship held in the Parish of St. Christopher. According Sr. Eulalia Loreto of the Congregation of the Immaculate Conception, "for over 10 years we have been celebrating the anniversary together with Filipino immigrants, and every year the participation increases." The traditional “Feast of the Cross,” deeply lived by the Filipinos, falls on the last Sunday of May and commemorates the discovery of the Cross of Jesus in Jerusalem by Saint Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine. The festival is a reminder to the faithful to imitate the example of Mary. According to the labor department of the City of Taipei, there are over 38,000 foreign workers in the city, of which more than 7,500 are Filipinos. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 08/06/2010)