The year is 1665. Dust motes danced in the shafts of sunlight piercing the simple church in Ligao, Albay. Fray Pedro Espallargas, a Franciscan friar recently arrived from Spain, surveyed his new flock – the Ligaueños, a people deeply connected to their land and their ancient traditions. His mission was clear: to bring the light of the Catholic faith to this remote corner of the Philippines. But his approach was far from the forceful conversions of some of his contemporaries. Fray Pedro understood the importance of cultural sensitivity, of weaving the new faith into the existing fabric of their lives.
The Ligaueños observed their own rituals, their own cycles of celebration and penance. They held deep reverence for nature, for the spirits of their ancestors, for the land that sustained them. Fray Pedro saw the opportunity not to erase these beliefs, but to find common ground, to build a bridge between their traditions and the teachings of the Catholic Church.
He spent months learning their language, immersing himself in their culture, patiently explaining the tenets of Christianity in terms they could understand. He spoke of sacrifice, of repentance, of the profound love of Christ, drawing parallels to their own experiences of hardship and resilience.
The Lenten season presented a perfect opportunity. Fray Pedro recognized the Ligaueños’ inherent understanding of communal rituals and public displays of devotion. He introduced the concept of the Lenten procession, not as a foreign imposition, but as a natural extension of their existing practices.
The first procession was a humble affair. There were no grand floats, no elaborate statues. Instead, simple images of Christ and the Virgin Mary were carried through the streets, their faces reflecting the solemnity of the occasion. The Ligaueños, initially hesitant, gradually joined the procession, their own traditional chants and prayers subtly woven into the Catholic hymns. The rhythmic beat of native drums accompanied the solemn march.
Fray Pedro encouraged the Ligaueños to incorporate elements of their own culture into the procession. He saw the wisdom in blending the old with the new, creating a unique expression of faith that was both distinctly Catholic and deeply Ligaueño. The procession became a symbol of unity, a testament to the blending of cultures, a reflection of the Franciscan approach to evangelization.
Over time, the Lenten procession in Ligao evolved, growing in grandeur and complexity. But at its heart, it remained a reflection of that first humble procession, a testament to Fray Pedro Espallargas’s vision – a vision of a faith that embraced, rather than erased, the rich cultural heritage of the Ligaueños. The procession became a living legacy, a vibrant tapestry woven with threads of both Spanish Catholicism and the enduring spirit of the Ligaueño people. And it all began in 1665, with the gentle guidance of a Franciscan friar who understood the power of cultural sensitivity in spreading the Gospel.
(Leo Irwin Lindio)
