The Sugat Kabanhawan is a cherished Filipino Easter tradition that reenacts the joyful meeting between the Risen Christ and His Blessed Mother, the Virgin Mary.
Held at dawn on Easter Sunday, it marks the moment when sorrow turns into joy after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Two separate processions usually begin from different points. One carries the image of the Risen Christ, while the other carries the image of Mary, still covered with a black veil to represent her mourning.
These processions move toward a designated meeting place, often in front of the church.
At the moment of the “sugat” (meeting), a child dressed as an angel is lowered or steps forward to remove the black veil from Mary, symbolizing the end of her sorrow upon learning that her Son has risen.
Immediately after, joyful elements follow—church bells ring, the faithful sing the Regina Caeli (Queen of Heaven) and other appropriate hymns which speak of the joy of the Resurrection.
Ushering in a new liturgical season, Easter, the Sugat Kabanhawan signifies the restoration of joy after sorrow, reminding us that the Resurrection is not only an event to remember, but a promise to live by.
God transforms grief into hope and despair into new life. The Sugat invites everyone to encounter the Risen Christ personally—and to carry that joy into the rest of their lives.