The busy and historic urban Balintawak is one of the most populous barangays in Quezon City where it became a silent witness of our country’s history and day-to-day activity that are visible in its surroundings. One of the most notable landmarks of Balintawak is the Parish of St. Joseph the Worker which it became a solace for everyday man after all the hard work that they rendered for the day.
The modern busy streets of Balintawak, as well as other cities and towns around the world, can be overwhelming and challenging for daily workers. Balintawak is a hub for transportation, with countless vehicles and people moving through the area every day. Amidst this chaos, the devotion to St. Joseph the Worker can serve as a source of comfort and inspiration for daily workers. The faithful would flock to a simple church dedicated to St. Joseph to seek his help and protection in their everyday life as they continue to provide for their family and their futures.
The Image
The image of San Jose de Balintawak presents St. Joseph holding the Child Jesus on his side, gazing at Him lovingly while the Child Jesus looks upwards. Their heads are covered with a long wig for male santos while St. Joseph sports the aureola and the Child Jesus his diagnostic “Tres Potencias”. St. Joseph holds his distinct staff with a sheaf of lilies sprouting on the staff while the Child Jesus holds a tool box. The simply vested image is enshrined at the side altar of the parish that can be venerated by the faithful.
History
The devotion to San Jose de Balintawak began when on September 16, 1959, a decree issued by the Most Rev. Rufino Cardinal Santos, D.D., Archbishop of Manila, created the parish of San Jose de Balintawak. The parish was made up of the territories of Our Lady of Grace in Kalookan and the San Pedro de Bautista in San Francisco del Monte, Quezon City. Its area coincided more or less with what was traditionally called Balintawak.
The parish was built adjacent to an Aglipayan chapel in close proximity to the “Monumento sa mga Bayani ng 1896”, which was erected to commemorate the Katipunan Revolution against Spain of 1896. The monument was created by Ramon Martinez and originally situated a few meters away from the parish. However, in 1968, the construction of the EDSA-Balintawak Cloverleaf Interchange led to the relocation of the monument to the University of the Philippines, approximately 9 kilometers away. As a result, the parish was subsequently moved to the slope located in the southwestern corner of the interchange.
The image of San Jose de Balintawak was said to be donated from a family in Santa Cruz, Manila first to Cardinal Santos after the family’s house was burned. He in turn donated the same image to the then newly created parish in Balintawak that can still be venerated to this day.
The devotion at present
The Feast of San Jose de Balintawak is celebrated on May 1st, which is also recognized as Labor Day in many countries around the world. For daily workers in Balintawak, the devotion to St. Joseph the Worker can provide a sense of peace and purpose in the midst of chaos. By turning to St. Joseph and asking for his intercession, workers can find the strength and inspiration they need to carry out their tasks with dignity and perseverance.
In addition to being a source of comfort for daily workers, the devotion to San Jose de Balintawak is also a reminder of the importance of family and community. St. Joseph’s dedication to his family and his role as a protector and provider serve as a model for all of us. By emulating his example, we can strengthen our relationships with our loved ones and our communities.
In conclusion, the devotion to St. Joseph the Worker is an important aspect of Catholic faith that has particular relevance to the modern busy streets of Balintawak and to daily workers around the world. By turning to St. Joseph and asking for his intercession, we can find comfort, inspiration, and purpose in our daily tasks, as well as a renewed sense of dedication to our families and communities.
San Jose de Balintawak, Ipanalangin mo kami!
References:
“About St. Joseph the Worker Parish Balintawak”, Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/SJWPbalintawak/ on September 5, 2022.
Olivares, John Paul, “Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, Quezon City: Saint Joseph the Worker Parish”, Retrieved from https://lakansining.wordpress.com/2020/01/08/epifanio-de-los-santos-avenue-quezon-city-saint-joseph-the-worker-parish/ on October 5, 2022.
Interview:
Rev. Fr. Michell Joe Zerrudo, Parish Priest of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Balintawak, Quezon City
Photos:
Canapi, Benedict
St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Balintawak, Quezon City
Special thanks to Rev. Fr. Michell Joe Zerrudo, Parish Priest of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Balintawak, Quezon City.
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