Black Saturday
By @acelawrites
@acelawrites (19272)
Philippines
April 20, 2019 2:06am CST
It is Black Saturday today, when Catholics observe the day of mourning after the death of Jesus Christ on Good Friday.
It is just a commemoration of the death of Jesus Christ. People are usually inside their homes, while others are still visiting different churches to pray.
There is a folk tradition I could remember when we were still young, our parents would encourage us to jump high as soon as we wake up, saying it will make us grow taller! As We jump, we would say "Gloria!" I didn't know why we should utter "Gloria" as we jump!
I didn't know if it really made us grow taller! 
On this day, I remembered my parents shaking the seeds that were stored (stocked) for planting when the rainy season comes. They said it will also make the plants (rice, legumes, beans, etc.) grow healthy.
These are some of the "rituals" I remember during Black Saturday.
On this day, I remembered my parents shaking the seeds that were stored (stocked) for planting when the rainy season comes. They said it will also make the plants (rice, legumes, beans, etc.) grow healthy.
These are some of the "rituals" I remember during Black Saturday.10 people like this
10 responses
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
20 Apr 19
i've always known about jumping during the new year, but this is the first time i've read about doing it on black saturday, too. maybe because it's called sabado de gloria? hehe!
i didn't know about shaking the seeds, either. i guess it's symbolic of growth, new life?
3 people like this
@acelawrites (19272)
• Philippines
20 Apr 19
Yes, maybe because it is Sabado de Gloria! And I find some scientific meaning to shaking of seeds; maybe exposing other seeds so they can be rid of too much moisture content, or getting rid of some pests by shaking them!
1 person likes this
@acelawrites (19272)
• Philippines
20 Apr 19
Maybe it is just a tradition observed in our place. It is not known to other regions of the Phils., as well.
@acelawrites (19272)
• Philippines
20 Apr 19
It is now Easter Sunday here. Happy Easter to you, too!
@acelawrites (19272)
• Philippines
22 Apr 19
It is just interesting and fun to remember such traditions.
1 person likes this
@resukill22 (25050)
• Las Pinas City, Philippines
20 Apr 19
Never heard that thing before
1 person likes this
@acelawrites (19272)
• Philippines
20 Apr 19
Those are old beliefs; I don't know if children these days know about it.
1 person likes this
@resukill22 (25050)
• Las Pinas City, Philippines
21 Apr 19
@acelawrites O don't think so
1 person likes this
@acelawrites (19272)
• Philippines
20 Apr 19
I remember those things when Lent comes. They are really interesting, so I always tell about it to young people who might had not known about such old practices.
1 person likes this
@Nevena83 (66063)
• Serbia
21 Apr 19
@acelawrites Yes, it is important that young people know the old tradition.
1 person likes this
@acelawrites (19272)
• Philippines
27 Apr 19
Yes, it is so nice to share such traditions. Thanks.
1 person likes this
@acelawrites (19272)
• Philippines
20 Apr 19
There are really so many folk beliefs; and sometimes we tend to laugh or just follow it.
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
20 Apr 19
We spent our Black Saturday cleaning the church. My job was to dismantle and clean the ceiling fans :)
1 person likes this
@acelawrites (19272)
• Philippines
20 Apr 19
We don't work so much on Black Saturdays; still on vigil mode. I just watch some TV shows related to Lent. I don't want to go out of our home when the sun is shining so hot!
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
21 Apr 19
@acelawrites It was our kenosis as a lenten offering. It's a yearly activity of the parish.
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
20 Apr 19
I was unaware of these rituals. I knew of Black Saturday and the mourning associated with it, but had no knowledge of these rituals associated with it. Thanks for sharing.
1 person likes this
@acelawrites (19272)
• Philippines
20 Apr 19
It is usually observed in the old days; I don't know if people are still doing it; but my parents encouraged us to do it; so I also remember them when Lenten season comes.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
21 Apr 19
@acelawrites Yes many of these old traditions and rituals are getting lost in modern times.
