Kahului
Four queens of the annual celebration of Santa Cruzan at Christ the King Church, Kahului, Maui, May 28 pose for a royal photograph. They are from left, Reyna Caridad 2023 (Mary, Queen of Charity) Maribel Asuncion; Reyna Elena 2023 (Queen Helena of the True Cross) Princess Hidalgo; Reyna Elena 2022 Maria Domingo Thomas; and Reyna Esperanza 2023 (Mary Queen of Hope) Bernadette Acaso. Not pictured is Reyna Divina Pastora 2023 (Mary, the Divine Shepherdess) Maxima “Alma” Asayo. Santa Cruzan is a May pageant in the Philippines depicting the finding of the True Cross by Queen Helena of Rome in 326 AD. At Christ the King Church it was observed in conjunction with Flores De Mayo which celebrates Mary, Queen of May. (Reported by Mildred S. Chargualaf) (Photo courtesy of Paul Pigao)
Keaau
Holy Rosary Church in Keaau on the Big Island hosted its first Flores De Mayo-Santa Cruzan festival May 27. Its purpose was to reach out to families and youth. It was a success. The ceremony included praying the rosary while processing to church. The “Maria Elena” Sharianna Castasus, accompanied by “King Constantino” Joshua Foronda crowned the statue of the Blessed Mother. The “Princess of Faith” Zaydeelyn Amar, “Princess of Hope” Aliyah Oshita, and “Princess of Love” Symone Phoebe Belmes, with their escorts Joe Ralph Simolata, Brillante Aguinaldo Jr., Martin Ellazar, Isaia Wong, Kaleb Moniz, Quinston Henry Raymond-Shin, Prince Jasper Badilla and Zairus Willian Jace Belmes, followed by parishioners, offered flowers. During the Mass, a cross representing the True Cross found by St. Helena was carried to the altar. The pastor Blessed Sacrament Father Samuel Loterte blessed the new corpus from the Philippines and celebrated the Mass. Mass was followed by a potluck and a program featuring groups from, Hilo, Keaau and Pahoa. The Chuukese Kids for Christ performed a beautiful dance coordinated by Karmemina Nethon. (Photo courtesy of Linda Villena)
