Fil-Ams in Jersey City celebrate Filipino heritage with Santacruzan
Image: Santacruzan Festival – Jersey City/ Facebook
JERSEY CITY – Filipino Americans in Jersey City are set to celebrate the 46th Santacruzan and Flores de Mayo on Sunday, May 26, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Manila Avenue.
The celebration, which includes a Holy Mass at St. Mary’s Parish at 2:30 p.m., is hosted by the Catholic Action of Mary (CAM) in collaboration with Philippines Fest.
The festival offers activities for the family, including a street fair with vendors, games, food and drinks, live entertainment, a health fair, a 5K race and the Santacruzan procession. There will be cultural performances, dances, local bands, singers, comedians, magicians and more.
The Santacruzan was first held in the 1800s in Malolos, Bulacan in the Philippines. It is a religious procession commemorating the quest of Queen Helena of Constantinople and her son, Constantine the Great, to find the True Cross: the cross that is said to be the one upon which Jesus was crucified.
It also celebrates Flores de Mayo, where flowers dedicated to the Blessed Mother are offered during the festivities.
The event has become part of Filipino tradition focused on youth and their devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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The annual procession – from St. Mary’s Parish on 2nd Street to Erie Street and to Manila Avenue – includes the Reynas, flower girls, biblical figures and symbols dedicated to the Virgin Mary including the relic of the True Cross from St. Aedan’s Church in Jersey City.
The Reynas 2024 include:
- Reyna Elena I – Desiree Wisotsky
- Reyna Elena II – Juliaross Ramos
- Reyna Elena III – Kim Kelli Ricasio
- Reyna de las Flores – Patricia Pereira
- Reyna Emperatriz – Margie Wisotsky
- Freddy Burke
- Letty Balagot
- Mars Derodar
- Lea Frain
- Maria Pilar Monje
- Ruth Sa-Onoy
- Amy Tiongson
