FLORES DE MAYO: A FAITH THAT BLOSSOMS EVERY MAY

Every May, Filipino communities bloom with prayer, song, and color in honor of the Virgin Mary. Rooted in faith and tradition, Flores de Mayo is a celebration of devotion, beauty, and the enduring spirit of a people. Once a simple offering of faith, Flores de Mayo has evolved—shaped by time, region, and the hearts of those who keep it alive.

Written by: Tiffany Ocampo

Layout by: Angel Marigondon

May 24, 2025 | 2:58 PM

Across the Philippines, the month of May carries the scent of flowers and the sound of hymns. In chapels and parish churches, the faithful gather to honor Mary with blossoms and prayers. This is Flores de Mayo—a tradition introduced during the Spanish colonial period, and one that continues to flourish centuries later. 

In earlier generations, Flores de Mayo was a quiet, intimate devotion. Communities, especially in rural areas, gathered daily to pray the Rosary and offer freshly picked flowers. Children, dressed in white, would lay petals before an image of Mary as older women led hymns and prayers. It was a deeply personal act of devotion, rooted in simplicity. 

Today, in some urban parishes, the celebration has grown more elaborate. The tradition now often ends with a grand Santacruzan—a procession featuring young women in formal gowns, representing saints and biblical figures, escorted under decorated arches. Marching bands, photographers, and even social media livestreams have become part of the event.

While the core intent remains, honoring the Virgin Mary, the expression has adapted to reflect the times and the character of each community.

In smaller towns, the daily offering of flowers remains quiet and reflective. In others, children rehearse songs, communities organize contests, and entire neighborhoods collaborate on the final procession. Each version tells the same story of faith, but with a local flavor.

Even without pageantry, the essence of Flores de Mayo thrives. It is in the hands of the child, carefully placing a rose on the altar. In the voices of neighbors praying in unison. In the way traditions are passed down—not through textbooks, but through repetition, ritual, and love.

Though time has changed the outward form of Flores de Mayo, its spirit endures. The celebration reflects not only devotion to Mary but also the creativity, resilience, and unity of Filipino communities.

Each May, from quiet villages to bustling cities, Flores de Mayo blooms as a living testament to enduring faith, offering flowers, prayers, and devotion passed through generations, reminding us that when tended with love, faith flourishes anew.