Duskfall

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

We easily slipped inside the church. We sat on the back part para daw madali kaming makaalis mamaya, pero hindi dulong-dulo para makita pa rin namin ang altar.

After a few moments, the orchestra played. Lucius told me to look at the entrance. There, I saw men and women in vests and gowns entering the church. Habang lumalakad sila ay inasabi sa akin ni Lucius kung ano-ano ang role nila sa kasal. There are even some cute kids carrying some things.

And finally, the last one is the bride. Shes wearing a beautiful gown and covered with white veil. She was smiling and crying at the same time. Pure bliss can be seen on her eyes. She met some people near the middle. According to Lucius, they are the parents. They walked with the bride through the isle. And when they reach near the altar where people was waiting, the groom approached them. He greeted the bride's parents, and the bride did the same to his parents. After a few hugs and kisses while on tears, the groom, led the bride to the altar where the priest is waiting.

The whole ceremony is solemn. They did some ceremonials, which Lucius patiently and diligently describe to he through whispers. After exchanging vows, they exchanged rings. The priest announced that they are now a wedded couple and let them kiss. The church was filled with claps and cheers as the two lips met. The signing of the wedding certificate was last before the picture taking. Para hindi makipagsiksikan. We exited using the side door.

"How was it? Do you still think that a wedding is just signing certificates?" Nakangising tanong ni Lucius.

I tried to pout but I can't hide the smile of my face so I gave up. "I didn't know it's like that. I don't really think much of it, but when I heard their vows, saw the happiness on their eyes, and everyone cheering in glee, it somehow looks wonderful."

Lucius shared the smile I was wearing. "It's good that you like it. By the way, hindi mo ba i-aalay 'yang sampaguita?"

I tilted my head. "I told you, people use it as an offering to religious figures. Like that." Sabi niya bago itinuro ang isang bahagi ng hallway. People are putting flowers like the one I am holding to a small altar in front of a statue. Some were lighting candles. Afterwards, they are doing some sign and close their eyes, praying.

Bumaling ako kay Lucius. "Why are they doing that?"

"They are praying to them. Those are offerings."

"But, what are these statues?" Tanong ko. Ngayon ko lang napansin na hile-hilera ng iba't-ibang statue ang kahabaan ng hallway.

"Those are saints. They were humans who did good deeds when they were alive. Some of them were martyrs, offered their lives for a good cause or fighting for their faith. There are some who did bad deeds but repented and did good deeds. They were declared as saints by the church."

"But why are they idolizing those statues?"

"It's not the statue itself, but what it represents. They prayed to them because they believe those saints have a relationship to the deity. People are hoping that their prayers has more chance of being heard if their prayers were relayed through them."

"But...are they sure those people really have a close relationship with the deity? Isn't it just humans who declared them as saints? What if they are praying to bad people and relaying their prayers to the wrong entity? What if prayers strengthen the deity, and those were stolen by wrong entities? Isn't it safer if they pray directly to the deity? The deity is a deity for a reason. He could hear their prayers even where they are, or even how faint their voices are. And, do those people who were praying really know what they are doing or just following the tradition that was passed to them?"