The Filipino Community of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Ruwi, Muscat, has celebrated its first Santacruzan, a cherished Filipino religious and cultural tradition recalling the discovery of the Holy Cross by Queen Helena.

The celebration brought together faith, devotion, and cultural heritage. Thirty-five participants represented biblical figures from the Old and New Testaments, together with a group of young women, known as sagalas, portraying different titles of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

After the Holy Mass, the sagalas took part in a solemn and colorful procession, offering a meaningful expression of Marian devotion and of the richness of Filipino Catholic tradition.

In his address, the parish priest, Fr. Stephen Lewis, reminded the faithful that the true beauty of Santacruzan is not found only in its external forms, but in the virtues reflected in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary: faith, humility, obedience, and service to God and neighbor. He encouraged the community to allow these virtues to shape their daily life as disciples of Christ.

The celebration continued with a short program and a moment of fellowship, giving the community the opportunity to thank the organizers, participants, and all those who contributed to the success of the event.

The celebration marked a meaningful milestone for the Filipino community in Ruwi, bringing together faith, tradition, and fellowship in a shared expression of devotion, and a reminder of how different traditions enrich the life of the Church.