In the municipality of Baras, Rizal, one of the most distinct landmarks of the said place is it’s centuries old parish dedicated to the Glorious St. Joseph, the Chaste Spouse of the Virgin Mary. The parish became the center of the devotion to St. Joseph, not only in the town but also in the Province of Rizal as devotees flock his shrine for centuries.
The image
The venerated image of San Jose de Baras is a de tallado image of St. Joseph carrying and facing the Child Jesus on his arm while the traditional staff with a sheaf of lilies on the other. He stands on a cloud base with cherubs’ head showing. The image is carved wearing the traditional green robe and a golden yellow cape and interestingly a hat placed at his back. The Child Jesus on the other hand sits on a white long robe held by St. Joseph and facing the beholder.
The image is often clothed with beautiful embroidered capes given by his devotees. The image wears metal accessories with a paragua for St. Joseph and the diagnostic tres potencias to the head of the Child Jesus. Recently, a medal bearing the insignia of the municipality of Baras, Rizal as a symbolic act of entrustment of the municipality to its patron saint.
The Beginning of the devotion
The devotion to St. Joseph is intertwined with the history of Baras, Rizal with the establishment of the town by the Franciscans in 1595 to its first location which is the present site of Bosoboso south of Painaan as a visita of Morong with Santiago Apostol as its patron saint. The visits was later ceded to the Jesuits in 1616 yet it was burned, along with the whole town by rebelling Aetas in 1635. In 1636, the town was transferred to a place called Ibayo and placed under the patronage of San Salvador (Most Holy Redeemer). Unfortunately, the town and the church was attacked and burned by the Chinese rebels in 1639. The administration of Baras was returned to the Franciscans in 1679 in exchange of Binangonan.
In 1682, in the aftermath of the tragic destruction from marauding tribes and rebels, the people once again moved to a new location to its present site. The third church was was constructed until it was completed in 1686 and was dedicated under the Patronage of St. Joseph and remained as such up to the present. The origins of the image of St. Joseph is unknown due to lack of records available yet it became witness to the ever changing landscape, history and the Catholic faith of the municipality. The Parish of St. Joseph in Baras is set to be elevated as the DIocesan Shrine of St. Joseph on December 7, 2021.
The devotion at present
The devotion to San Jose de Baras continues to thrive in Baras as it became a pilgrim site in the province of Rizal for centuries. The Obreros de San Jose de Baras was established in 2019 to help further propagate the devotion to St. Joseph in the realm of the shrine and other parts of Rizal and in the country. The Rosary of St. Joseph and other devotions associated to him are regularly prayed in the shrine. The Feast of San Jose de Baras is celebrated much every March 19 as a festive town fiesta.
The devotion to St. Joseph is much needed in our time of confusion, fear and uncertainty. As St. Teresa of Ávila said, “To other saints it seems that God has granted to help us in this or that need, while I have experienced that the glorious St. Joseph extends his patronage on all.” St. Joseph is ready to bring this downpour of grace after grace upon us — if we initiate to accept and follow and ask and pray. Now is his time – Ite ad Ioseph!
References:
“Baras 400”, St. Joseph Parish, Baras, Rizal, 1996.
Photos:
Diocesan Shrine of St. Joseph Parish – Baras, Rizal Facebook page
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