248. "HUDYOS" AS CHARACTERS OF LENT

HUDYO BELIEVE? A century-old head representing a blue-eyed "Hudyo", possibly, a temple officer.

 “Hudyo!!”—this is a popular collective term for those wooden figures found on processional religious tableaus representing soldiers, sentry guards, cavalry men and centurions. Associated with tormenting Christ during his Passion, these “Hudyos”(Jews) —represented with stern expressions, beards, moustaches, sideburns and wide-open googly eyes are cited in several Gospel passages.

 For example, Herod had a personal army that consisted not only of Jews but also of foreign mercenaries. Pilate and other Roman governors also kept Roman soldiers, with some recruited from Greece. Events involving soldiers include the following scenes that have been visually translated into religious tableaus familiar to most Filipinos.

 Arrest of Jesus. John 18:3 mentions the presence of a contingent of Roman troops to support this arrest. Jesus Before the High Priest: When Jesus appeared before the high priest, only Jewish officers were present (Matt 26:58). They struck Jesus and beat him up after the verdict. Jesus Before Pilate: Pilate ordered Jesus to be beaten and mocked by his soldiers (Matt 27:27-30). Most were recruited from the Syrian Greeks, known for their hostility towards Jews.

 Jesus before Herod Antipas: Pilate sent Jesus to Herod, hoping to avoid the problem of executing Jesus. Herod’s soldiers, who were probably Jewish, mocked Jesus and gave him a royal robe (Luke 23:6-12).

 The Fall of Christ: The most popular depiction of soldiers, spearmen and footmen are on tableaus depicting the three falls of Christ (primera, segunda, tercera caida). The fallen Christ is shown surrounded by hostile looking soldiers armed with spears, lances and standards.

 The Crucifixion: Roman soldiers presided over the crucifixion of Jesus. In the Calvary scene, they are attendant figures positioned at each side of Jesus, holding lanes and spears.

 Figures of “Hudyos” are sometimes included in pasos like Simon the Cyrene Helping Jesus (guards behind the cross), Scourging at the Pillar (guards doing the actual whipping), Crowning of Thorns, Paciencia (the seated Jesus flanked by guards), Guarding of the Tomb, Piercing of Jesus (by Longinus).

 Because of the way they are presented on Lenten tableaus, the mere sight of uniformed “Hudyos” with their devilish expressions and weapons, can instill fear and panic among children watching the Holy Week processions.

In a way, their presence brings in relevant aspects of the historical and cultural background of the event, helping us to retell the story more dramatically, which is an essential part of preaching from narrative passages.

REFERENCE:http://www.thegoodbookblog.com/2011/mar/14/soldiers-in-the-gospels/

235. CARU-CARUHAN DE BINANGONAN: Santos in Miniature

MINIATURE TERCERA CAIDA (third fall of Christ). 

In Binanongan, Rizal, miniature statues of saints take center stage instead of the usual life size ones. This recalls the religious tradition in Colombia, where children process their own child-size santos.

AGONY IN THE GARDEN (Nanlumo)

This relatively-new Binanongan tradition is called "caru-caruhan" (play carrozas), and it is held during the Lenten season. It began sometime in the 1980s, when children began imitating the Holy Week tradition of bringing out images for the annual Lenten ritual.

JESUS AND STA, VERONICA

Along Regidor St., the children would parade their homemade santos made of sticks, cloth and other available materials. Over the years, the image became more sophisticated, well-made and life-like,

SCOURGING AT THE PILLAR

The wooden tabletop  images are small, no more than 20 inches tall, and are outfitted and arrayed in embroidered vestments and metalworks. There are single representations of Lenten characters as well as tableaus.

JESUS  MEETS HER MOTHER MARY

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The little santos have their own mini "andas" on which they are borne during the procession. The event is highly organized, and there is even a cofradia dedicated to propagating the devotion and practice in the hope of instilling religiosity among the youths.

ECCE HOMO

The group plans the program, including the Wednesday procession that culminates in the gathering of the santos depicting scenes from the passion of Christ in an exhibit hosted by the St. Ursula Church.

CHRIST RECEIVING HIS CROSS

This unusual tradition lives on in Binanongan where it is also known as the Caro-carohan de Regidor to honor its place of origin.

STA, VERONICA

It has become a popular tradition, regularly covered by the media, and visited by local tourists and devotees, who delight in watching the miniature santos as well as the spirited display of devotion of Binangonan youths.

STA. POTINA

Featured here are representative images from the 2008 procession, taken by Holy Week photo documentarian Dr.Raymund Feliciano.

STA. SALOME

119. Santo Stories: THE FALL OF CHRIST

"Ang Pagkarapa ng Panginoon" represents the Third Fall of Christ while bearing the cross en route to Calvary. The tableau includes figures such as soldiers in the act of whipping and dragging Christ, with Simon Cyrene holding on to the Cross, in an act of supporting the fallen Jesus.

The santo figures were commissioned by the Veron-Dulay-Cloma Family, in the Parish of Santo Cristo (Caingin, San Rafael, Bulacan) on March 2007, from the workshop of Francisco Vecin of Makati. In memory of Felipa M. Veron-Dulay (16 May 1912/5 October 2004).

MEDITATION ON THE FALL OF OUR LORD

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless You, because by your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the World.
 O Jesus, it was for our sins that You bore the heavy burden of the Cross and fell under its weight. May the thought  of your sufferings make us watchful over ourselves and save us from falling into sin.
O Christ, our repeated falls into sin have added the burden that you carried for our redemption. As you are weakened by the weight of our sins, we are the cause of your fall. Please give us the strength never to offend You again.
O Lord, we beg you, by the merits of your most painful fall, to pardon our frequent relapses and our long continuance in sin. May the thought of Your sufferings grieve us and move us to make frequent acts of love and reparation.

Our Father...Hail Mary...Glory Be...

33. A FAMILY'S GOLDEN TRADITION

Phil. Daily Inquirer Sunday, April 13, 2003.

For the past 50 years, the image of Jesus Christ falling for the third time as He Carried His cross to Mount Calvary, has allowed the family to return to God the blessings it has received and to atone for sins.

The image of Christ suffering from intense pain, fatigue and hunger has become a source of strength and inspiration. He showed, that despite being the Son of God, He allowed Himself to be humiliated and mocked.


It all started in 1952 when the family patriarch, the late Jesus, decided that an offer of penance through prayers and “work” every Holy Week should be imposed. He wanted to return to God the blessings the family received that allowed it to have a good and comfortable life.

The Rebustillos acquired a float depicting Christ’s third fall on His way to be nailed to the cross. For the past 50 years, the float had given the Rebustillos family the strength to overcome the difficulties they encountered. The family prepared the float each Holy Week, not allowing even a death in the family to divert them from their commitment.


Over the years’ the float’s 3 images had become almost members of the family and treated with utmost care.

Dehlia, the family matriarch who did not raise any objections to her husband’s decision five decades ago, carries on the tradition.

The Rebustillos couple contracted the late Castro Vibar, known for his life-size images—Christ in a prone position carrying a cross with His head inclined upwards, a person helping Him support the heavy burden, and a Roman centurion.


Preparation of the caro immediately started, with even the little boys Jim and Johnnie, then 4 and 2 years old, helping. Dehlia said it was during the procession that the family and friends felt the offer of penance truthfully. The float stayed in Balintawak with her parents for two years after. It returned to Albay for good in mid-1954.

With the children all grown up (two more came after the float was acquired, Jesse and Dehna), the work of caring for the images during Holy Week was divided among them.

After 50 years, even grandchildren have started to help. The family has also received help from many people the past five decades.