The Mysterious yet Miraculous Twin Crosses of Tondo

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The Twin Crosses "Kambal na Krus" of Tondo, Manila
Tondo, Manila, known as one of the most populated yet historically significant district in the Capitol. Tondo is also known as the home of the famed image of Señor Santo Niño de Tondo - the second oldest image of the Child Jesus in the country. 

The Crosses

The mysterious yet miraculous "Kambal na Krus" was more of log cut into half where the imprints of a Cross can be seen. One piece is a bit larger than the other, but both are adorned with burst of metal rays or rayos, and draped with embroidered cloth serving as capes of sorts.The trunks, which have darkened with age making the crosses less visible, flank a carved figure of crucified Christ. 

Crispino Lacandaso with the
"Kambal na Krus"
The mysterious discovery

On March 23, 1922, a young labourer named Crispino Lacandaso was chopping wood from a felled, hundred year-old sampalok (Tamarind) tree on an empty lot at 1885 Juan Luna Street, Gagalangin, Manila,

Lacandaso initially had difficulty cutting the trunk, but upon finally cleaving in twain, he saw a dark cross on a base, imprinted on both halves of the wood. The pieces of wood were subsequently encased in glass, and devotees from other parts of the city flocked to the site, and a small chapel was later built to enshrine the wood. The discovery of the twin crosses—Kambal na Krus—was considered a miracle, and instantly created a sensation among devout Catholics in the area.

The pieces of wood were subsequently encased in glass, and later, installed in a small chapel that was built as a shrine where devotees could come to venerate the sacred twin crosses. The chapel continues to be a center of pilgrimage and has been renovated many times, the last one as recent as 2013. The Kambal na Krus chapel os currently under the jurisdcition of the Parish of San Jose in Gagalangin, Tondo, Manila.

"Kambal na Krus" in procession
The devotion

The Chapel's Discovery Day is on March 23, but the actual celebration is held on the third Sunday of March. A triduum of Masses precedes the day of the fiesta. On the feast day itself, two Masses are celebrated: one in the morning and one in the afternoon, followed by a procession. 

During the fiesta, many people go to the Chapel to venerate the crosses, showing gratitude for all the blessings and graces they received. On Maundy Thursday, many people from provinces and other cities in Metro Manila flockthe Chapel as a station as they perform the traditional Visita Iglesia pilgrimage.

 The devotion to the twin crosses continues to fourish up to this day. The devotion  to the Holy Cross teaches us that though Christ died only on a single cross, we should also accompany Him on carrying our own crosses, not only on his suffering but also in his triumph.

References:

Beringuela, Adela C., ed., "The Manila Studies Program Inaugural Lectures: Papers Presented During the First Annual MSP Conference, June 23-25, 1989 Volume 1, Issues 1-4 of MSP journal". Manila Studies Program, College of Arts & Sciences, University of the Philippines, 1991.
"Kambal na Krus, patunay ng malawak at matatag na debosyon kay Hesukristo" Retrieved from https://www.veritas846.ph/kambal-na-krus-patunay-ng-malawak-at-matatag-na-debosyon-kay-hesukristo/ on August 18, 2019.

Credits to the owner of the photographs utilized for this blogpost.
+AM+DG+

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