Popular Religiosity is always something that is to be considered. If the Church were really strict as regards this matter, Baclaran or Quiapo in Manila, or even the Sto. Nino Shrine in Cebu would have been closed ever since. But this is what enlivens the faith of a certain people. This is one assurance that the faith continues in that country.
Religious Procession is one action that manifests the people's faith. In Japan, it is also like the carrying of the "o-mikoshi" in Japanese "matsuri" (festival). Each and every locality would have its own traditions and myths as well. Some think they really have to touch the o-mikoshi itself, or be part of the people carrying it. Yet all the same, it's popular religiosity.
Japan has also seen Catholic religious processions in the past. But today, they are generally thought of as disturbance to public order. Many of these Catholic processions are done inside Catholic premises or Catholic schools or even in rented halls... but never outside. Even the ordinary Catholic Japanese would think the same. For them, why hold a procession on public road when it is not even closed? Or, why conduct a procession on a feast that is never even recognized in the Japanese calendar?
No wonder the ordinary Japanese Catholic do not need to resort to venerated statues or holy images. For them it is only the Eucharist! Oh yes, they do honor Mary... only because She is the Mother of Jesus. But give them images such as the Sto. Nino, or even the Black Nazarene, or even the Snr. delos Milagros of Peru, they can only be awed by such devotion but will never be made to participate in such processions. The mass is enough for them. Jesus, whose very Presence is in the Holy Eucharist, is just enough for them. This is what they learned. And this is what is being passed on even to their children.
P.S. There are some parishes in Japan who have permitted their Filipino parishioners to conduct Flores de Mayo and Santacruzan. Some Japanese parishioners are awed by the beautiful gowns worn by the Japinoy (Japanese-Filipino) kids. But when they ask the Filipinos why they are dressed so, or why are they the only ones dressed like that, the ordinary Filipinos can only answer "... for Berjin Mery!... for Berjin Mery!" Hmmm... popular religiosity is good... but I still go to the "Knowledge is Better" campaign!
This is one great challenge for me as a priest here in Japan.
Teaching is an indispensable tool.
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