Paco, Manila, one of the most historic districts in Manila due to its historic cemetery, old ancestral houses and its parish. The Parish of San Fernando de Dilao is the home of two miraculous images of Manila – The Señor Santo Sepulcro and Nuestra Señora de Candelaria.
The image
The image of Nuestra Señora de Candelaria of Paco is a de vestir image of the Madonna of Child standing on a cloud base with cherubs. The Virgin is enthroned at the epistle side of the altar gazing on her children looking sideways downwards. The Virgin wears a beautiful set of vestments from a tunic, a cape, a lace veil, sporting a crown and the traditional doce estrellas holding a candle and the Child Jesus. The Child Jesus on the other hand wears a long white gown stylized like those for newly born infants that are seen during baptisms, wears His crown and facing sideways with His hands open.
The beginning of the devotion
The devotion to Nuestra Señora de Candelaria of Paco is inseparable with the history of Paco, along with that of the Santo Sepulcro. The district was founded by the Franciscan missionaries. The place was then known as the town of “Dilao” from the yellow dye extracted from the plants growing abundantly in the area, which was situated along the banks of the Pasig River. The name is preserved until 1791 during the governorship of Felix Berenger y Marquina by adding “San Francisco” to the name of the place.
The first church of Paco was initially dedicated to La Purificacion de Nuestra Señora, was made of light materials in 1580. But from 1599 to 1601, it was rebuilt of stone by the inhabitants of Paco, under the able direction of Rev. Fr. Juan de Garrovillas.
In 1600, Lt. Don Cristobal Mercado commissioned an artist to carve an image of Our Lady of the Candles which he later donated to the Church of Dilao. The devotion initially flourished and the image resided in the Church until 1603 when the structure was destroyed by the Chinese uprising. In 1606, the Church was rebuilt with stones at the expenses of Don Francisco Gomez de Arellano and was rededicated to the Virgin.
The oblivion
However, the devotion to the Virgin of the Candles was set aside by the end of 1606, the image was transferred to the Hospital de Aguas Santas in Los Baños, Laguna. From there, it was taken to Siniloan and enshrined in the place that is now known as Mabitac. The image remained there despite of attempts from the townspeople of Dilao to reclaim it.
Devotion reignited
The devotion to Nuestra Señora de Candelaria appeared to be resilient despite the challenges over the centuries. The present image of Nuestra Señora de Candelaria was carved in the 1920s and the devotion gradually once again became part of the parish life of Paco.
Since 2014, the image of the Virgin joined the procession of the Santo Sepulcro during the month of August and later on the Feast of St. Ferdinand of Castille, the current titular patron of the parish every May 30. The image underwent restoration and was enthroned to her current altar in 2017 through the efforts of Rev. Msgr. Rolando de la Cruz, Parish Priest of San Fernando de Dilao of Paco, Manila.
A Cofradia dedicated to the propagation of the devotion to Nuestra Señora de Candelaria was established in 2020.
The devotion at present
The devotion to Nuestra Señora de Candelaria continued to flourish in the modern times. The Feast of the Virgin is celebrated every February 2 and the on her feast day, a dawn procession of the Virgin took place within the jurisdiction of the parish. After the procession, the faithful would stand at the facade of the Church and the rite of blessing of candles took place. The faithful would then enter the church and for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the feast.
The devotion continues and exists side by side with that of the miraculous Santo Sepulcro which makes the parish home of the two Manileño devotions in this part of Manila. As we ponder on the devotion to the Virgin of the Candles, we should look at it as the devotion that will lead us to her Son, the Light of the World and we should emulate Him as the light and salt of the world especially in these times.
Nuestra Señora de Candelaria de Paco, Ipanalangin mo kami!
References:
Aviado, Lutgarda, Madonnas of the Philippines, Manlapaz Press, Quezon City, 1972.
Darang, Josephine, A Purely Personal book of Miracles: A Collection of Columns published by Philippine Daily Inquirer, Sound Publishing Corporation, Makati City, 2006.
Intramuros Administration, The Virgins of Intramuros and suburbs, Intramuros, Manila, 1982.
Photos:
Cofradia de Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, Paco, Manila
Malabanan, James Benedict
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