Maharlika leads Lent rituals in Toronto

Maharlika leads Lent rituals in Toronto

The Knights of Columbus Maharlika Council 7488, a Filipino Council chartered in January 1980 in Toronto, has been presenting a Seven Last Wordsmeditation service to coincide with Holy Week observances for more than 20 consecutive years. This year’s version, written in layman’s language and open to the general public, will be presented in English at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Church, corner Danforth Ave. and Birchmount Rd., 1:00 p.m. on Good Friday, April 14, 2006 with the participation of several parishioners.

Originally presented in the Filipino language, the roots of this meditation service as introduced by the Maharlika Council can be found in the Filipino traditions Siete Palabras or Pitong Huling Wika depending on the region they were observed. This service focuses on the meaning of the seven last statements of Jesus Christ as He was dying on the Cross and their relevance to salvation history and current human conditions.

Through guided meditation, prayers and songs, the objective is to assist the faithful in enhancing their spirituality by understanding more deeply the meaning of Christs death on the cross. This presentation has been adapted to current and multicultural settings and has gained greater acceptance in recent years that now it is held as well in other churches within the greater Toronto area.

In at least the past 10 consecutive years, Maharlika has been holding this Holy Week service in English at St. Aidan Catholic Church on Warden and Finch Avenues. The service will continue to be presented at St. Aidan by the Knights of Columbus St. Aidan Council 11332 with the guidance of Maharlika.

In addition to this tradition, Maharlika will also hold an Easter procession at the Immaculate Heart Parish before the Easter Sunday 9:00 a.m.Mass. The procession depicts the first meeting between Mary and the risen Christ.

The Knights of Columbus is a fraternal organization open to Catholic men in good standing.
Incorporated in 1882, the organization started as a small group of men formed by Father Michael McGiveney to promote social and intellectual fellowship among its members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works.

(PRESS RELEASE)