 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Philippines | |
| Languages | |
| Tagalog/Filipino |
TheRizalista religious movements refers to thenew religious movement and a form ofFolk Catholicism adopted by a number of ethnic religious groups in thePhilippines that believe in thedivinity ofJose Rizal, the Philippines'de factonational hero.[1] Many of these sects or religious movements believe that Rizal is still alive and that he will deliver his followers from oppression and poverty. Rizalist groups have differing views on the divinity of Jose Rizal. Some believe that he is God himself, some believe that Rizal was the second son of God, the reincarnation of Christ. Some of these groups also identify Rizal as the god of the pre-Spanish Malay religion.[2] Some only see as Rizal as a spiritual guide.[3] Leaders of the sect often claim that key people in thePhilippine Revolution including Rizal himself were reincarnations of theVirgin Mary. Many of these groups claim that the only key tosalvation is by joining their group.[4]
The Rizalist religious movement ranged from colorums which were prevalent during the 1920s up to the 1930s toPhilippine Benevolent Missionaries Association, which was led byRuben Ecleo.[4] Among these movements are the Iglesia Sagarada Familia (lit. 'Church of the Holy Family'), Lipi ni Rizal (lit. 'Clan of Rizal'), Pilipinas Watawat (lit. 'Philippine Flag'), the Molo, Samahan ng Tatlong Persona Solo Dios,[5] and theIglesia ng Watawat ng Lahi (lit. 'Church of the Race's Flag').[3]
Some of these groups regularly participate inRizal Day celebrations inRizal Park as an act of devotion to Rizal.[6]