This is the time of the year when every Catholic is in a prayer mood, when each member of the Catholic Church reflects on the sacrifice that the Lord Jesus made to save us. And as a country whose majority of its people are Catholic, the Philippines is ready to celebrate the life and death of Jesus Christ. This week is the Holy Week.
As Filipinos, it is part of our culture, since the time of our ancestors, to believe in superstitions. We have those for New Year, birthdays, weddings, and so much more. And of course, we also have some superstitious beliefs regarding the Holy Week. I know most of you can relate and most probably still believe in these superstitions. Here are some:
Yesterday we have celebrated Palm Sunday. After the Holy Mass, where the palaspas are being blessed, Catholics go home and decorate their doors with the palaspas. I remember when mom was still here in the Philippines, right after the Palm Sunday Mass she always put the palaspas on our door, replacing the already brown one from last year. It is believed that once a palaspas is hung on your door it will ward off evil. It will protect your home and will not let evil to enter your house. How about that for an instant and low-cost anti-evil charm?!
"Jason, maligo ka na. Bawal nang maligo ng 3:00pm!" [Jason, take a bath. It is not allowed to do it once the clock strikes 3] - this is my mom reminding me every Good Friday to take a bath before 3:00pm. This is one of the most famous superstitions we Filipinos believe. They say that if you take a bath on Good Friday, evil will befall on you. I really do not know the real rationale behind this. Maybe this is the way of parents to have their children take their bath. Well, what ever the reason is, this has been Filipinos' practice during Good Friday.
One way to keep the Holy in Holy Week is the constant reminders of parent to their children to keep quiet during Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Black Saturday. Old people believe that noises will wake up monsters and take you. Hahaha! I know little children fall into this belief. But I guess oldies use this excuse to have their children behave and respect the Holy Week.
One of the most believed superstitions during Holy Week are about the aswang (monsters). People believe that since Jesus died during Good Friday, all aswang will bring havoc to the world. They will have a lot of powers during Good Friday. So beware! LOL!
One way of parents to keep their children from trouble during the Holy Week is by telling them that once you injure yourself during the week, the wounds will heal slower than usual. Have you fell into this?! Hahaha
For those believers of the powers of the amulets and charms, it is believed that the best day to empower and renew these magical items are during Good Friday. It is also luck if you find one on a cave during Good Friday. It is also believed that faith healers (albularyo) have so much power during Good Friday.Whoa! There's so much powere during that one day! =)
Beware travelers! It is believed that you will be into an accident once you travel during the Holy Week. Just stay home if you cherish your dear lives. Hahaha. Maybe this is just one of the reasons our families tell us so that we'll just stay at home and spend the days off together as one.
I know that there are many more superstitious beliefs out there regarding Holy Week. These are just some of the most popular.
But whatever beliefs we have, I hope that one thing still remains in our hearts and minds - that Holy Week is the time to remember what Jesus did for us. This is the time for reflection, a time for prayers!
May you all have a blessed one! 'til next time!
Believe on!
~Lyndon Jason
