Manukan Parish Church During The Holy Week

When I visited Manukan on holy week, particularly on Good Friday, I happened to pass by the church.  I couldn't help but remember the day I walked on the aisle of the church to meet my waiting groom at the altar. I also remember the beautiful decorations and flower arrangements for that day which is way opposite to the scenario of the church I saw. The church was mourning because it was when Jesus Christ died on the cross.

I noticed the two figures outside the church. Those were of the Virgin Mary and the resurrected Jesus Christ. They had those ready  for the meeting (salubong/tagbo) wherein the two figures are brought to a procession . In the procession, the Virgin Mary are to be followed by all women while the resurrected Jesus Christ followed by all men. Two figures are brought to opposite direction and meet together in the church, imagining the reunion of Virgin Mary and Jesus. This happens early morning, around 4:00 a.m. of Easter Sunday, a one joyous celebration of Jesus Christ resurrection. 

I went inside the church. The last time I visited that church was on Christmas day when hubby and me attended the evening mass on the 24th. While inside, I noticed something. All the figures of the saints are covered with purple cloths. I asked my classmate who was a seminarian about it. He said that those saint were all grieving upon Jesus death. The cloth that covered the saints symbolizes their grief.