St. Clare Parish in Clifton, N.J., held its inaugural celebration of The Santacruzan, a Filipino religious tradition, on May 17.
The Santacruzan honors St. Helena and her son, Emperor Constantine, and their quest to find the True Cross. The celebration combines prayer, devotion, and a colorful cultural procession.
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The celebration at St. Clare’s began with a Mass in the main church, presided over by Father Francis Conde, the parish’s pastor, a native of the Philippines.
Then, the procession took place outdoors from the church to the parish center. Afterward, the parish community gathered at the parish center for lunch and the St. Clare Spring Dance, continuing the spirit of fellowship and celebration.
BEACON PHOTOS | MATTHEW GIGLI
