By Rose Gamier
Yes, you read it right: Parade of Saints. Imagine the statues or pictures of our patrons and beloved saints come to “life” and “roam” around the church grounds…well, in broad daylight.
Veering away from the more secular and commercialized Halloween celebration, San Roque parishioners witnessed a ”holier” atmosphere with the presence of “living” saints joining them for last Sunday’s Eucharistic celebration.
No ghosts or gremlins, ghouls or goblins, no garbs in gores, no vampires or demons, no monsters or witches, no mythical or supernatural characters. Even our favorite cartoon/comics characters and superheroes were nowhere in sight. Instead, you have “Mary” and “Peter,” “Monica and Augustine,” “the Pope,” “Paul,” “Isidro,”“Elizabeth”, “Philomena,”” Barbara,” “Therese,” “Anne,” “Angela,” “Claire,” “Cecilia,” “Peter,” “Pedro,” “Lorenzo,” Anthony,” “Rita,” “Helen,” “Bernadette,” “Teresa, ”“Agnes,” ”Faustina,” “Raphael,” “Michael,” “Gabriel.” You will also find some of the apostles – Simon Peter, Andrew and the evangelists – Mark, John, Luke, and Matthew. It was a wonderful sight to see young children and CCD students dressed up as saints, complete with their trademark features or accessories.
As early as 8:00am, the Social Hall was abuzz with CCD teachers preparing all the materials, and kids coming in ready to get dressed in their chosen or favorite saint. Minds and hands were at work as teachers tapped into their artistry and creativity to make the kids look as close to, if not exactly, like their chosen saint as possible, using the cloths and materials lent by kind parishioners and individuals. There were kids who came in, dressed by their parents in tailored “saints” attire. Some had to wear several layers of clothing and veil or headpiece, or carry additional props but they bore the discomfort in true saintly fashion, no whining or ranting. In fact, during the mass, they were all well-behaved, participating actively. Seems like the costumes had “saintly” effect, they were really in character at that time (Alleluia!).
And these kids get to enjoy something, too. After the parade of saints inside the church, Fr. Leo Neil Bullos, OAR and Sr. Nina Caccam awarded two consolation prizes worth $20 each to six kids namely: Kyrie Palec and Kendric Palec as “Saints Gabriel and Raphael,” Shannea Dino as “Saint Agnes,” Cherish Camacho as “Saint Helena,” Joel Borja as “Saint Peter of Verona,” Roselyn Castro as “Saint Claire of Monstrance.”
Our dear patron from the south “found” himself with $50 cash prize as Christian Kaneshi dressed as Saint Anthony de Padua won the Best Costume. And no kid went empty handed for parishioners gamely pulled out their extra bills to give away to all the participants. No tricks, needed. All kids get to enjoy cash treats from the generous sponsors, and the whole parish is sending an early Thanksgiving greeting to the parents, children, CCD students, volunteers, teachers, friends and sponsors who helped make this possible.
The idea to dress them as saints was nothing new. This was also done in the parish a few years ago and it was revived to promote the saints challenging participants to read and learn more about their lives and make them models in following Christ. This was also a good opportunity for adults to be reacquainted with some whom they may have forgotten. Think of how many saints you can recognize correctly just by looking at their images and pictures? It is sometimes sad to think that we know better about fictional characters than the individuals who defended our faith – ordinary people who lived extraordinary lives with their heroic virtues. Wouldn’t it be nice if there are more “saints” not only during Halloween or All Saints Day but in our everyday living? Maybe it is time we move away from secular tricks and treat ourselves to faith-oriented practices, placing greater emphasis on our true Catholic teachings and traditions. All the saints in heaven, pray for us.
