Every May in the Philippines, millions of Catholics celebrate Flores de Mayo (“Flowers of May”), offering flowers to the Blessed Virgin Mary, praying the Rosary, and participating in the colorful Santacruzan. Yet many critics — especially some anti-Catholic groups and certain members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church — claim that Flores de Mayo is “pagan,” “idolatrous,” or “unbiblical.”
But is that accusation historically and biblically accurate?
Did Catholics merely “Christianize” a pagan flower festival? Or is Flores de Mayo a legitimate Christian devotion rooted in biblical principles, early Christian tradition, and Catholic theology?
This article will examine:
- The history and origin of Flores de Mayo
- Whether it is pagan or biblical
- Biblical foundations for Marian honor and floral offerings
- Church Fathers’ teachings about honoring Mary
- Official Catholic teaching from the Catechism
- Responses to common Protestant and SDA objections
What Is Flores de Mayo?
Flores de Mayo is a Filipino Catholic devotion celebrated throughout May in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It involves:
- Offering flowers to Mary
- Marian hymns and prayers
- Catechism for children
- The Rosary
- The Santacruzan procession
The practice became deeply rooted in Filipino Catholic culture during the Spanish era and remains one of the most beloved Catholic traditions in the Philippines.
The devotion is connected to the broader Catholic tradition of May Devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary, practiced for centuries throughout the Catholic world.When and How Did Flores de Mayo Start?
Historically, devotion to Mary during May developed gradually in medieval Catholic Europe.
The custom of honoring Mary with flowers can be traced to medieval monasteries and convents, where flowers symbolized purity, beauty, and spiritual fruitfulness associated with the Mother of Christ.
In the Philippines, Flores de Mayo became widespread during the Spanish colonial period. According to historical records, the practice expanded especially after the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854 and through the publication of Marian devotional works in the 19th century. The Santacruzan portion commemorates the traditional discovery of the True Cross by Helena of Constantinople.Thus, Flores de Mayo is not an ancient pagan fertility ritual preserved by Catholics. It is a Christian Marian devotion that developed within Catholic spirituality and Filipino culture.
Is Flores de Mayo Pagan?
The Short Answer: No.
Critics often argue:
“Flowers, processions, and honoring Mary came from paganism.”
But this argument commits the genetic fallacy — assuming something is evil merely because pagans may have used similar outward symbols.
Pagans also used:
- candles,
- incense,
- music,
- temples,
- processions,
- weddings,
- altars,
- and prayers.
Yet Scripture itself uses these things in worship of the true God.
The question is not:
“Did pagans ever use flowers?”
The real question is:
“What is the meaning and purpose of the practice in Christianity?”
In Flores de Mayo:
- Catholics do not worship flowers,
- do not worship Mary as a goddess,
- and do not offer sacrifices to idols.
Instead, Catholics honor the woman whom Scripture itself calls:
- “blessed among women” (Luke 1:42),
- “full of grace” (Luke 1:28),
- and “all generations shall call me blessed” (Luke 1:48).
Biblical Foundations of Flores de Mayo
Although the Bible does not explicitly mention “Flores de Mayo,” the principles behind it are deeply biblical.
1. The Bible Commands Honor for God’s Servants
Scripture repeatedly teaches honor toward holy people.
Hebrews 11–12
The heroes of faith are remembered and honored publicly.
Philippians 2:29
St. Paul says:
“Honor such men.”
1 Corinthians 11:1
“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”
If Christians may honor apostles and saints, how much more the mother of Jesus?
2. Mary Is Biblically Honored
The Gospel itself contains Marian honor.
Luke 1:28
The angel Gabriel says to Mary:
“Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you.”
Luke 1:42
Elizabeth declares:
“Blessed are you among women.”
Luke 1:48
Mary prophesies:
“All generations will call me blessed.”
Catholics fulfill this prophecy whenever they honor Mary.
Flores de Mayo is therefore not contrary to Scripture — it is an expression of Luke 1:48.
3. Flowers Are Biblical Symbols of Honor and Worship
Flowers in Scripture symbolize:
- beauty,
- holiness,
- celebration,
- and devotion to God.
Isaiah 40:8
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”
Song of Solomon 2:1
“I am the rose of Sharon.”
Sirach 39:14
“Bloom like a rose growing by a stream of water.”
Even the Temple built by Solomon was decorated with floral imagery.
1 Kings 6:18
The Temple carvings included:
- gourds,
- open flowers,
- palm trees,
- and cherubim.
Thus, floral symbolism in sacred devotion is entirely biblical.
4. Processions Are Biblical
Critics attack Catholic processions like the Santacruzan.
But processions are common throughout Scripture.
2 Samuel 6:14
David danced before the Ark of the Covenant.
Joshua 6
Israel processed around Jericho.
Psalm 68:24
“Your procession is seen, O God.”
Christian religious processions are therefore biblical in principle.
Mary as the New Ark of the Covenant
One of the strongest biblical foundations for Marian devotion is Mary’s role as the New Ark of the Covenant.
Compare:
| Old Testament Ark | Mary |
|---|---|
| Contained the Word of God | Carried Jesus, the Word made flesh |
| Overshadowed by God’s glory (Exodus 40:35) | Overshadowed by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35) |
| David exclaimed before the Ark | Elizabeth exclaimed before Mary |
| Ark remained three months | Mary stayed three months |
Catholics honor Mary because she bore Christ Himself.
Did Early Christians Honor Mary?
Yes.
The early Church strongly honored Mary long before medieval Catholicism.
Irenaeus of Lyons (2nd century)
He called Mary the “New Eve”:
“The knot of Eve’s disobedience was loosed by the obedience of Mary.”¹
Ephrem the Syrian (4th century)
He praised Mary in hymns and poetry, comparing her to paradise and flowers.
Augustine of Hippo
He taught that Mary is honored because she faithfully obeyed God.
These Fathers did not worship Mary as a goddess. They honored her as the Mother of Christ.
What Does the Catholic Church Actually Teach?
The Catholic Church clearly distinguishes:
- worship due to God alone,
- from honor given to saints.
The Catechism states:
“The honor paid to sacred images is a ‘respectful veneration,’ not the adoration due to God alone.”²
The Church condemns idolatry.
Catechism of the Catholic Church §971
Mary receives:
- special honor (hyperdulia),
- not divine worship (latria).
The Church explicitly teaches that worship belongs only to the Holy Trinity.
Responding to SDA and Protestant Objections
Objection #1:
“Offering flowers to Mary is idol worship.”
Response:
Flowers are symbols of love and honor, not worship.
People offer flowers:
- at graves,
- to mothers,
- at weddings,
- and during memorials.
This does not mean worship.
Catholics offer flowers to Mary as expressions of love and honor, similar to honoring holy people in Scripture.
Objection #2:
“Mary should not receive attention.”
Response:
The Bible itself gives Mary extraordinary attention.
She is:
- chosen above all women,
- called blessed,
- and honored by Elizabeth and Gabriel.
Ignoring Mary entirely is actually less biblical than honoring her properly.
Objection #3:
“Flores de Mayo came from pagan festivals.”
Response:
Similarity does not equal identity.
Pagans also used:
- candles,
- temples,
- music,
- and sacrifices.
Christianity transformed many cultural elements toward worship of the true God.
The key issue is meaning and intention.
Flores de Mayo is Christ-centered because authentic Marian devotion always leads to Jesus.
As Mary herself said:
John 2:5
“Do whatever He tells you.”
The Spiritual Meaning of Flores de Mayo
Flores de Mayo is ultimately about:
- honoring the Mother of Jesus,
- teaching children the faith,
- encouraging prayer,
- and cultivating virtue.
The flowers symbolize:
- purity,
- love,
- sacrifice,
- and spiritual beauty.
In many Filipino communities, Flores de Mayo also strengthens:
- catechesis,
- family prayer,
- and parish unity.
Conclusion
Flores de Mayo is not a pagan continuation disguised as Christianity.
It is a Catholic Marian devotion rooted in:
- biblical principles,
- Christian symbolism,
- Church tradition,
- and Filipino Catholic spirituality.
The Bible supports:
- honoring holy people,
- processions,
- floral symbolism,
- and Marian blessedness.
The early Church honored Mary centuries before modern Protestant objections existed.
Catholics do not worship Mary during Flores de Mayo. They honor the Mother of Christ and ultimately glorify God who worked through her.
As Scripture says:
Luke 1:48
“All generations will call me blessed.”
Flores de Mayo is one way Filipino Catholics fulfill that prophecy.
Footnotes
- Irenaeus of Lyons, Against Heresies, Book III, Chapter 22.
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, §2132 and §971.
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