Some things you just have to take up on faith. With that said, the recently concluded holy week or Lenten season has given destinations across the region a handful of multitudes flocking them due to religious factors. Yes, there are instances wherein people would rather go to beaches, waterfalls and other natural or nature compelling travel destinations during these days but majority goes to places where they rekindle their covenant with their faith. Asking for a more bountiful and blessed year or something personal that needs to be achieved or acquired, these people climb mountains, steps or even cross rivers just to reach that last station of the cross.
Fulfilling and satisfying, the faithful do it yearly as an act of both tradition and peace of mind. Some people never understand that until they’ve tried it themselves or feel it if they’ve never been to places where your knees would shake from the very emotions that you feel when you enter something so powerful and holy. Misamis Oriental’s El Salvador is home to the Divine Mercy shrine, it is refuge and a destination during Lent because of its 50 foot Divine Mercy Christ statue. Overlooking the Macajalar bay, visitors from all walks of life camp at the area and would wait for a long time just to climb the giant statue.
The religious annotation of celebrating holy week is the Christian’s belief in the passion of Jesus Christ, one of which is beautifully done by the municipality of Medina and is called “Hinuklog”. Known primarily because of its dive spots, beaches and cold springs, the town transforms itself into Jerusalem and other iconic Biblical places as they re-enact the life of Christ. Followers of this said play come to witness the life, death and resurrection as portrayed by nearly 300 actors with true to life costumes. People then would witness the lashing, torment and suffering of the Christ as he carries his cross to be crucified. The resurrection however is a glorious day on Easter Sunday as the town comes alive for its celebration.
We vow on doing certain things for our faith. To rekindle it, sometimes we have to undergo a certain way of suffering. Though we carry our own crosses in our own lives, we should remind ourselves that our faith should not be in the acts that we give effort in to during those days but our faith should be in the foundations of God and the His gospel.
Disclaimer
Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.
