Mater Dolorosa is home: Keeping a family tradition alive for 123 years (2025)

The image of Mater Dolorosa arrives at the family home of Christa Ramos the day before Viernes Dolores, or the Friday before Palm Sunday. (Photo by Christa Ramos)

MANILA, Philippines — For Christa Ramos and her family, welcoming Mater Dolorosa into their home in Taguig City is more than just a tradition they have upheld for 123 years now.

It is also about their unwavering faith as Catholics.

Mater Dolorosa, which means “sorrowful mother,” depicts the Virgin Mary’s grief over the sacrifices and loss of her son, Jesus Christ. The Virgin Mary’s image is in tears, her hands clasped, with a sword pierced right through her heart.

READ: Mary: Mater Dolorosa, the sorrowful mother

Ramos told INQUIRER.net that the family tradition of welcoming Mater Dolorosa into their home started with her great-great-grandmother, Tiburcia Ordoñez Umali, who first received the image in 1902. Since then, the family has taken care of Mater Dolorosa’s image.

Ramos shared that Mater Dolorosa arrives at their family home the day before Viernes Dolores, or the Friday before Palm Sunday. She also said that the tradition of the one-day “pabasa” always happens on Viernes Dolores.

Collective effort

Ramos’ family holds “pabasa” as part of the tradition of welcoming the image of the Mater Dolorosa into their home. (Photo by Christa Ramos)

Ramos described as a “collective effort” the preparations her family does every year for this important occasion. Ever year, she said they are tasked with cleaning the house, setting up the altar, buying and arranging flowers for the Virgin Mary image, as well as preparing and cooking food for family and guests.

“The process of welcoming Mater Dolorosa into our home may be simple but it’s something that everyone in the family anticipates and looks forward to every year,” she said.

She said the family also takes part in other religious activities for the Holy Week, such as the procession of Mater Dolorosa’s image on Maundy Thursday.

Ramos recalled that she started doing her part in upholding the family tradition at a young age. Now 25-years-old, she said that she used to accompany her grandmother in entertaining guests and preparing the food until she was old enough to handle things on her own.

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Commitment to faith

Ramos’ family prepares the image of Mater Dolorosa for the procession on Maundy Thursday, April 17. (Photo by Christa Ramos)

Being among the Catholic faithful, Ramos said her family upholds the tradition because it is “a commitment not just to Mater Dolorosa and our faith, but also to ourselves.” Aside from welcoming the sacred image at home, they also participate in other activities for the Holy Week, she added.

“It helps bring our family closer not just physically, but also spiritually because we share the same beliefs,” Ramos emphasized.

Ramos also said that her commitment to observe Holy Week rites is a way for her to honor the over century-long family tradition.

“I get to do something na makabuluhan, not just for my church but also for myself and yung pamilyang pinagmulan ko,” she noted.

(I get to do something meaningful, not just for my church but also for myself and for the family I came from.)

Ramos said she also wants to ensure that the tradition will be passed down to her children if she will be given a chance to raise her own family in the future.

‘Symbol of hope’

Mater Dolorosa is surrounded with flowers arranged and prepared by Ramos’ family. (Photo by Christa Ramos)

For Ramos, welcoming Mater Dolorosa into the family home holds significance to her faith as a Catholic.

“Whenever I look back at my family’s tradition, I get reminded that most, if not all, things I struggle with are much easier to handle when I hold onto and strengthen my faith,” she said.

She also shared how she held onto her faith and went back to church and to God after going through personal struggles the past weeks.

“(Mater Dolora is) a symbol of hope that even during the darkest days, she serves as a reminder that light, love, and strength will always be found,” Ramos added.