Largest Filipino Santacruzan festival on East Coast honors Blessed Mother

On May 26, members of the Filipino Catholic community in Jersey City celebrated the 46th annual Santacruzan and Flores de Mayo Street Festival at St. Mary’s Church in honor of the Blessed Mother.

The festival’s name translates into “The Feast of the Holy Cross and Flowers of May” in English. It is a community-wide celebration to honor the Blessed Mother and St. Helen. It features Filipino religious traditions, entertainment, and food and retail vendors.

READ: Filipinos make up one of the largest ethnic communities in the Archdiocese of Newark.

The festival, which occupies four blocks in downtown Jersey City along Manila Ave, was attended by over 2,000 residents this year. It is the largest and longest-running Santacruzan festival on the East Coast. According to parish officials, over 500 families participate in the procession each year.

A celebration of family, and Filipino culture

Catholic Action of Mary (CAM), a Filipino lay organization founded at Saint Mary’s Parish organizes the festival each year in partnership with the Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League (PACCAL). It combines two holidays: Flores de Mayo and Santacruzan. Catholics in the Philippines celebrate Flores de Mayo throughout May to honor the Blessed Mother. Santacruzan is a ritual reenactment of Queen Helena’s search for the True Cross of Christ. According to legend, St. Helena made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land for her son, Holy Roman Emperor Constantine. While on that journey, she is believed to have discovered the true cross on which Christ was crucified.

CAM President Freddie Burke said that the festival is rooted in a celebration of family and motherhood. “I think the festival has proven to not only be a family affair but also to promote Filipino heritage and culture,” Burke said, remarking on the rich history of the Filipino community in downtown Jersey City.

“The tradition of the Santacruzan festival is about the love of a Mother for her child. So, we see up to three generations of Filipino families at our festival. Parents and grandparents with their children come back and celebrate with us,” Burke said.

The festival unites the community

The beloved tradition, celebrated at the parish since 1979, has become a fixture in the community. Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop officially acknowledges its significance by issuing a City Proclamation every year. This year he declared May 26, 2024 as “Official Santacruzan Day.

“We celebrate the rich and cultural diversity of Jersey City and acknowledge the pride and heritage of the Filipino community,” the proclamation reads. “We urge everyone to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.”

The festival concludes a month-long devotion to the Virgin Mary. In preparation, the faithful observe the Novena of the Holy Cross for nine days leading up to the event.

The Santacruzan Mass, followed by the traditional Religious Procession, is the highlight of the festival. The procession is led by individuals who sponsor the festival and who are chosen by the parish community. Among these participants are the Hermanos y Hermanas Mayores and the Reynas. Notably, Reyna Elena represents St. Helen, while Reyna de las Flores symbolizes the Virgin Mary. Additionally, Sagalas represent the various titles of the Virgin Mary or a figure associated with her.

Participants feel connected to Filipino heritage

Desiree Marie Wisotsky, a parishioner at St. Mary’s Parish, said that participating in the Santacruzan festival as a Reyna Elena not only made her feel more connected to her cultural heritage, but also brought her closer to her family in the Philippines. “I am elated to have experienced in person this beautiful Filipino tradition,” she said. “I also feel it as a special calling from God to be able to contribute to propagating our Catholic faith and culture and the great devotion to Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary,” she said.

Every year, the church community selects the participants for the Reynas and Hermanos procession during the Santacruzan Ball. This gala, hosted by CAM in early May, serves as a fundraiser for both the festival and St. Mary’s Parish. During the ball, CAM ceremonially crowns and honors the Reynas and Hermanos as guests. The individuals selected by the parish community will later lead the festival procession. Additionally, they carry the Cross of Christ and receive a floral arch bearing their names.

The Reynas for 2024 included Desiree Marie Beof Wisotsky as Reyna Elena I, Juliaross A. Ramos as Reyna Elena II, Kim Kelli Ricasio as Reyna Elena III, Patricia G. Pereira as Reyna de las Flores, and Margarita ‘Margie’ Beof Wisotsky as Reyna Emperatriz. Further, the Hermano and Hermanas Mayor for 2024 were led by Freddy Burke as Hermano Mayor. In addition, there was Leticia R. Balagot, Romarica ‘Mars’ Derodar, Ofelia ‘Lea’ Frain, Maria Pilar Monje, Ruth P. Sa-Onoy, and Amelita Llamas Yu Tiongson all serving as Hermanas Mayor.

Following the procession, there were onstage performances with live bands, dance groups, local youth talents, and vocalists.

Burke said that “the local community is also happy that the Santacruzan tradition has returned.” He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic closed the festival for two years. “We love to honor the Blessed Virgin during May and the Santacruzan is the pinnacle of that celebration.”

St. Mary’s Parish community selects the individuals to lead the Santacruzan religious procession, referred to as the Reynas, Hermanos, Hermanas, and Sagalas, at the annual Santacruzan Ball hosted by CAM in early May. (Courtesy of CAM)