Nuestra Señora de la Peñafrancia de Naga – The Ina of Bicolanos
Blogger’s note: While doing some research work for a presentation, I stumble upon this interesting commentary on the subdued festivities in honor of Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia de Naga, the Queen of Bicolandia. The following thought provoking opinion article on examining our faith if we are performing these practices out of faith or out of fame, pride and commercialism.The article of the same title was published by Bicol Mail written by Mr. TIto Genova Valiente with few annotations from the blogger.
The news is out: from the institutional Church, there will be no Traslacion this year, no fluvial procession. The State, as represented by the local government unit of Naga City, declares there will be no trade fairs, no civic and military parades. The notification is about the Peñafrancia celebration this September.
The land procession, called the Traslacion, when the image of the Virgin of Peñafrancia, is transferred from its Shrine by the river to the Metropolitan Cathedral will not happen. The Virgin will remain in the Basilica. The Divino Rostro – a manifestation of the face of Christ imprinted on the veil of this woman named Veronica, a name which in Latin means “the true image” and in Greek, “one who brings victory” or “true image” – will stay in the old shrine.
No penitential processions will be held in between the second Friday of September and the nine days that follow that. There will be no image in the black cathedral [St. John the Evangelist Cathedral], its color antedating the sorrow of this unprecedented pause. No tiny image to toss around, and rock and forth, in a wanton display of braggadocio and faith, questioned by some, upheld by many, beloved by cultural officers of tourism and pageantry.
In the old narratives of the devotion, the Virgin has been the infinite succor of the many in moments of personal distress and in times of social crisis. The Virgin is the Mother of the land, the person to whom our people run to in anguish and embrace. She never fails anyone. To the Divino Rostro is attributed the miracle of saving the region from cholera in the 1800s. It is said that the disease stopped right at the doorstep of the locality.
When a typhoon veers away from us and gives us slight drizzle, we know that our prayers to the Mother has been answered. It is a naïve, if not selfish, predisposition but that attitude has ruled the life of many Bikolanos.
A virus, however, has come so virulent it renders us unsure of our old faith. This infection has a proven world record to be the mighty one. We now cannot err on the side of a cautionary faith; we – or at least our leaders –have resolved to be pragmatic not to risk the body in favor of the soul. The spiritual resolve does not look promising; science is the braver option.
When the Archbishop and the Mayor issued the letter declaring the imposition of limitation on the conduct of the Peñafrancia festival and the message got posted online, there was an immediate question: Has the Peñafrancia been cancelled?
Before I could read judgment on that question, my brother, Carlo, who is based in London, had a message: There is no cancellation, right? We are only doing away with the physical components – the feasting and fireworks, the procession and pageantry. What this announcement meant was we would have the novena, which is really the meaning of Peñafrancia, right?
I had a quick response to him: We are thinking the same thing.
The image of El Divino Rostro de Naga during the Traslacion
This September [2020 – 2021], we will honor the Virgin of Peñafrancia with what was intended for her in the first place – the sincere prayers that will run the course of nine days. In the commensalism of our home. There will be Masses livestreaming. During those days we will pour to Her hear our plea, as we enact who we are before Her, and how She is to us – a mediation of mediation, a mother of mothers, a faith human.
The devotee whose response was incredulous is the devotee in us weaned on the histories of conversion that have convoluted what is really a faith so basic it is as simple as love. The cancellation of the more outward, even narcissistically demonstrative display of bodies in supplication is what priests ask us to commit each year. Do they mean it? We do not know. What is clear is that the words of the institutional church are rarely heeded. The call of the carnival that lures us into the bacchanalia shatters the line between the sacred and the profane.
The power of that tiny image in the Basilica has not been dissipated. Ina did not fail us; we failed her. Totally. We languished with our lavish display of bad taste during parades. We rode on the waves of arrogance and entitlement when we declared this devotion as the most unique in the land. This city [Naga City] was even declared a pilgrim site by both the church and local officials, each party secure with its own agenda of evangelization and commercialization.
Not the church, not any philosophy, but a virus is cleansing this faith. It is teaching us to be humble, to be circumspect. It is asking us to be simple, to go back to praying simply for nine days. We can do this in our home, with our kin, without the ostentation and frivolity of a circus. We are asked to commune with this formidable, All-Merciful Mother, she whose image we have placed on a cheap copy of a globe for many years so we could exhibit to the world what we always deem to be our faith.
So, has the Peñafrancia festivities been cancelled? No. We have just cancelled ourselves and our gross idea of what a devotion should be.
The Consecration of the Sacred Host at St. Benedict Chapel, San Beda College, Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Note: The following blog entry is adapted from the article of the same name published in the periodical “Anamnesis” (Aug. 2021 – July 2022 issue) with updates after the issuance of the infamous “Traditionis Custodes” and personal developments.
The Journey to the Light of Truth
For many years, I was one of those faithful Catholics who grew up attending Mass in the Ordinary Form (Yet for some reason, I didn’t participate in any parish organizations whether its for the youth and lectors among others.), and who, with progressing maturity developed an inexplicable longing for something that is solemn and authentic. Not just something that feels solemn and authentic, but something that truly is solemn and authentic. It was – and continues to be – a desire to worship the Holy Trinity in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass offered with much dignity fitting for our Redeemer’s Passion on the Cross, where dancing and frolicking sidetracks the congregation, where the sermon helps me and everyone else with me understands Sacred Scripture with neither ado nor fanfare, where the priest abstains from improvising homilies as storytelling sessions oozing with tacky interjections, and where the people of God render due reverence to Our Lord really present in the Blessed Sacrament.
St. Nicholas of Tolentino offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the relief of the Holy Souls in Purgatory
I am fond of reading hagiographies. This I must admit. What impressed me deeply in my passionate investigations into the lives of the saints were the holy men and women who received the grace of extraordinary experiences during Mass. Such awe-inspiring and pious anecdotes, which were different from what I was encountering during those times, sparked my curiosity. As my theology classes at the University of Santo Tomas in those fruitful formative years helped me to further discover my faith as well as understand the importance of the Mass, the yearning burned more and more intensely.
Little did I know, that God’s divine providence has been preparing me to embark on a journey to seek Him and glorify Him as His saints had done before me. This is the story of how God surprised me when He guided me to where He intended me to go. This is my journey to the light of truth.
The blogger receives the consecrated host reverently (kneeling) at the altar of the Virgin of La Naval de Manila
Social media are a marvel of man’s God-given ingenuity and resourcefulness. Used appropriately, those tools can become conduits of meaningful conversations in harmony with God’s will. Such happened when a friend spoke about frequenting the Traditional Latin Mass at the Holy Family Parish in Quezon City which sparked the flame of my curiosity and cast its light upon the Extraordinary Form. This piqued my interest, already nurtured by senses cautiously attuned to the out-of-the-ordinary with the potential to renew my knowledge and foster wisdom in God. Without any color of surprise, I picked up on the news that rippled through the grapevine in 2012 about plans of celebrating Mass in Extraordinary Form in the Campus Ministry chapel at the Tan Yan Kee Student for the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lady.
Though I had classes at the appointed time that the planned event was finally taking place on the Feast of St. Bartholomew, I managed to sneak into the chapel to see the proceedings myself. The encompassing solemnity, the penetrating silence, most especially the prayerful kneeling when the priest lifted the Body and Blood of the Lord at the altar, moved me. It was a scene that lived in my head for months on end, even after I graduated in 2014. SO, led by the same friend, I finally attended my first Traditional Latin Mass the following year, at the Holy Family Parish in Quezon City. In that first chance to fully participate in the Extraordinary Form, the desire steadily burning in my heart attained fulfillment. I have now experienced what the saints had experienced before me, which left a sensation both unfathomable and overwhelming, a twitch that tugged my heart whenever I would assist at the Holy Sacrifice.
The offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at the chapel of the Most Holy Redeemer Parish, Araneta Ave., Quezon CIty
Two years later, I would formally begin my frequent attendance to the Traditional Latin Mass. On that fateful First Sunday of June in 2016, Feast of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart at the Most Holy Redeemer Parish in Quezon City, nestled along Araneta Avenue, my life started to change. At first, I alternated my Sundays between the Ordinary and the Extraordinary Form. When I learned that the Extraordinary Form was also regularly celebrated at the Our Lady of the Poor Parish in Taguig City, as well as every second Sunday of the month in Santo Domingo Church – the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, known to her children as La Naval de Manila, dear mother and patroness to me – I realized attending Mass on Sundays in the Extraordinary Form was an opportunity that is difficult, even foolish, to let pass. So, I seized the chance!
The offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at the altar of the famed miraculous image of Nuestra Senora del Santisimo Rosario – La Naval de Manila at her National Shrine in Quezon City
In this journey, I met many people, forging friendships and making acquaintances in different Latin Mass communities, who accompanied – and continue to accompany – me in my quest to see the light of God’s truth, which, in hindsight, I had not been able to find in the Ordinary Form because of the frivolities I have seen committed and even encouraged in it. I am forever grateful for this. Similarly, I am happy that I was able to accompany some of my friends as they experienced the Extraordinary Form for the first and subsequent times. As we bonded over our love for the Mass, we found ourselves enriched by a beauty so few Catholics dare to venture to pursue and comprehend.
St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina offering the Sacred Chalice
Unable, therefore to resist the light of the truth that Our Lord allowed us to see, little by little we attained a better and correct understanding of the Catholic faith, and a deeper and unalloyed devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, both of which illuminated our minds on the paramount importance and the true essence of the priesthood (which is sadly tainted in our time), and delivered our senses from the distractions that effaced the sacrificial nature of the Mass. Most especially, however, they reinforced the truth of the Real Presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, to Whom all adoration, honor, and reverence are due. This is why I make it a point to promote the Extraordinary Form as much as I can, so others can fathom the Divine Truth, veiled in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, elsewhere more and more clouded by a smokescreen of altar theatrics.
The reverent distribution and reception of Holy Communion at St. Benedict Chapel, San Beda College, Alabang, Muntinlupa City
As I revisit the milestones I have passed in this pilgrimage, I realize Our Blessed Mother was also my unwavering companion. She guided my mind and opened my eyes to the beauty and to the truth of what the Holy Mass really is. She inspired me to look beyond the dense fog of conflagrant abuses against the Liturgy, and peer through the shallow puddles of watered-down teachings. She called me to attend the Traditional Latin Mass in her titled sanctuaries, in the chapel of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart close to Araneta Avenue, in the Parish of Our Lady of the Poor some distance off the Skyway over East Service Road, St. Benedict Campus Chapel at San Beda College, Alabang, Muntinlupa City and in the Shrine of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario – La Naval de Manila along Quezon Avenue. Before her throne, no matter the splendor or grandeur, praying the Mass, I learned to love my amiable patroness ever more each day.
Another thing I learned and realized in my journey is a deeper understanding of our pious traditions, customs, and even Church architecture and design, especially in old churches. It was through TLM that I then realized the purpose of a traditional interior layout and set up from the main altar, the side altars (which were actually intended for other priests to offer masses – there was no concelebration of Mass then, only simultaneous offering of the Holy Sacrifice in different altars inside the church), the pulpit (for obvious reasons) and the altar rail – which I believe it should be returned to other parishes because it served as a shield or boundary between the altar and the faithful to avoid sacrileges (from theft of sacred images, monstrance or tabernacles with the Consecrated Host inside of it) to happen.
The traditional blessing and reception of Palms on Palm Sunday
Now on pious and popular traditions. In my personal experience, it made me learn and understand these old pious customs that we still practice up to the present from the traditional blessing of candles, the blessing of chalk and exorcised salt during Epiphany, and the constant and unceasing offering of prayers to the Poor Souls in Purgatory, the true essence of the Consecrations to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary as she requested in Fatima in 1917 and in the later years of the Servant of God Sister Lucia of Fatima’s life, the Solemn Masses for the Departed, the 9-day Rorate Caeli Masses (that developed to the famed Simbang Gabi and Misas de Aguinaldo) and most strikingly is the Holy Week Liturgy which helped me fully understand the true essence of Holy Week, that is the commemoration of the Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the sorrow and contrition that we should always have in order to reform our lives for the better and in conformity to God’s will.
The Storm
St. Ignatius of Loyola, Founder of the Society of Jesus offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
I am now covering the latest milestones in this sojourn, a stretch of the footpath with no end in sight, littered with checkpoints and detours. That the pandemic is ravaging many lives is only one of the many tragedies we have to face, the greatest of which is the regimented participation in online Masses we have to undergo. By God’s grace, I endured this phase, assisting virtually at the offering of the Holy Mass, with my little companion entitled “The Holy Mass of the Absent” consoling my longing to receive Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. This sacrifice I offer to God that He may vouchsafe to end this scourge, that His people, having repented our sins, may once again give Him honor and glory inside the temples of His Real Presence.
Then the unexpected happened – the issuance and enactment of the controversial motu propio “Traditionis Custodes” on July 16, 2021, which literally ended the famed and well-beloved motu propio “Summorum Pontificum” issued by Pope Benedict XVI in July 2007 that liberalized the use of the Traditional Latin Mass. I won’t give further details of this painful motu propio as it claimed to alleviate the division of the faithful, yet it further incite division between the faithful Traditional Catholics and the adherents to the mainstream Church where everything is watered down and just in it for the “feeling”. We have witnessed a clear generational tension and divide between the boomers of the 60s-80s who are “trying to be cool” and the Millenials and the Gen Z who were seeking something stable and authentic.
There were so many important issues that the Catholic Church needs to addresses and be given a concrete solution to all these chaos: from the disobedience of other bishops that can cause schism, the Pachamama idolatry that is being tolerated by the current Pontiff himself (shout out to Mr. Alexander Tschugguel who threw these abominable idols at the Tiber River – you are our hero), the rising number of cases of sexual abuse and corruption committed by erring clergymen, the decreasing number of Church attendees and adherents worldwide, Churches are being closed, destroyed, being converted to museums and worse – being vandalized all over the world, the rampant persecution that our brothers and sisters that are still happening in Africa and some parts of Asia (Catholic Christians are a minority in some of these countries), the rise of so-called “Christian” sects that prey on uninformed or poorly catechized Catholics that would lead them to leave the Catholic Church (this is very rampant in the Philippines), and of course, the persecution that we face in social media by the modernists and other members of these predatory “Christian” sects who would have this cunning line “Katoliko ako pero …” to cover up or proceeding to their derogatory comments against the True Church and the True teachings that Our Lord Jesus Christ established.
Requiem Mass offered at the Holy Child Chapel in Taguig City under the jurisdiction of the Military Ordinate of the Philippines
Yet, with all these issues and controversies, what are we still seeing, the continuous and constant liturgical abuse that is happening back in forth with the inexcusable excuse of making the liturgy “people and culture-centric” (Misa ng Bayang Pilipino anyone) which led to the distorted the faith of the faithful, the lack of proper formation for the clergy, altar servers and other parish personnel where they treat their service for the Church as a reputation booster. We also witnessed the watering down of essential and fundamental Church teachings and dogmas and being reduced to “caring for others and the environment” that damages the heritage of our faith all in the name of the “poor”. Worse, is the majority of the faithful lack or do not have the belief in the Presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and reducing it as “just a symbol” which is heretical – yes I said it – and the sacrilegious reception of the Holy Communion (Remember Papal Visit 2015?) as the result of this.
And what are we getting, Traditional Catholics, we are being berated by modernists clergymen, “Papal fans” and its faithful who looked at us as if we are lepers or second-class citizens just because of our faithfulness to what the Catholic faith truly is and attacking the Traditional Latin Mass saying we should move with the times.
It was a very painful storm to trudge and broke my heart with all these things. We painfully accepted a lot of name-calling by these so-called “faith defenders” who are berating us to “just follow what was told in the motu propio” yet in reality, they never show up in the Traditional Latin Mass or even attempted to understand it and being more considerate and charitable – just to gain clout. These actions validated my views on them as “leeches of the Church” and they don’t differ to those of the other sects that they are constantly argue – Yeah go figure!
Our Lady of La Salette
So after I exorcised my thoughts on the harrowing realities that the Church is facing, I suddenly remember the words of Our Lady in her appearances in La Sallete, France; Quito, Ecuador (as Our Lady of Good Success); Fatima, Portugal (it is interesting to note that almost all Traditional Latin Mass societies are very devoted to Our Lady of Fatima and were able to fully understood her serious message that is now being watered down in the mainstream church); Akita, Japan among others where she revealed to her chosen humble visionaries her concern not only for the salvation of souls but also for the state of the Church which is quite alarming and are slowly revealed and happening before our very own eyes. Maybe it is about time that we seriously heed her call for prayer, penance, and conversion to appease the Divine Justice and for His pardon and mercy to all – I mean ALL – the sins committed against Him.
Continuing the Journey
The blogger as one of the altar servers for Easter Sunday Mass 2022
So what happens now? After all these things that happened to us that we have to endure painfully, Thankfully, the local bishops in the Philippines who do have existing Traditional Latin Mass communities allowed us to continue and we thank them for their charity and pastoral care that they exercised in these difficult times, especially to us traditional Catholics – their support means so much to us and we are always grateful for it.
It was in this dark time that my faith intensified and found a new home, this time in my own diocese at San Beda College Chapel in Muntinlupa City, under the patronage of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament, Our Lady of Montserrat and St. Benedict of Nursia – my namesake.
Picking up the pieces and starting over again after the great storm, I continued in my journey to the light of truth and praised the Lord for giving us the strength to carry on. Our Lord and Our Lady never failed me in my journey as they worked wonders through their chosen channels as I became part of the Hermandad de la Sagrada Eucharistia in 2021 and in 2022, for the first time in my life as a Catholic, I became an altar server which I never thought I would ever do in my lifetime. For someone like me who never became part of any parish organization, this was an opportunity to give honor to the Lord, this time at the foot of the altar which I continuously learn its ropes for me to give the honor that is only accorded to the Father of Mercies.
As I end my recollections and steel my nerves for what lies ahead in the way to the light of truth, I want to thank Our Lord and Our Lady for the gift they deigned to grant the holy people of God through Pope Benedict XVI’s “Summorum Pontificum”. It is this peerless and unconditional act of paternal charity that has made this journey of mine possible during our lifetime. It is this manifestation of divine inspiration that ha motivated devout layfolk and holy priests to guide me along the way to discover the path of truth that I now lived and practice
O Lord, Grant us priests! O Lord, Grant us many holy priests! O Lord, Grant us many holy priests and religious vocations! O Lord, Grant us many holy Catholic families!
Ave Maria Purisima, sin pecado concebida!
St. Joseph, Patron and Protector of the Universal Church, pray for us!
Holy Father St. Benedict, pray for us!
St. Teresa of Avila, pray for us and send us true Reformers of the Church!
St. Pius X, pray for us and protect our Holy Mother Church from heresies of Modernism and Relativism that we may restore all things in Christ!
J.B.M. 07/31/2021 Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola
PS: If you are wondering why I posted this on the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, I think you know the answer.
In the busy streets of Cubao – Anonas in Quezon City where there numerous establishments, stalls, and the Metro Rail Transit, there were a few churches that can be seen along the LRT line 2 stations. One of the churches that an be seen along the railway is the Diocesan Shrine of St. Joseph located at the Anonas station in Quezon City where it is one of the earliest churches in Quezon City dedicated to St. Joseph which serves as a solace in a middle of a bustling city.
The image
St. Joseph of Quezon City
The image of St. Joseph of Quezon City is a de tallado image of St. Joseph carrying the Child Jesus in his arm while holding the diagnostic staff with a sheaf of lilies on top of it. St. Joseph is looking down to the beholder while the Child Jesus is facing them and giving His smile and His blessing. St. Joseph is depicted wearing his traditional colors: green and yellow gold done in estofado style while for the Child Jesus is donning his white robe with pink and gold sleeves on it’s design. Both images of Father and Son wear metal accessories with St. Joseph sporting the traditional halo and the tres potencias (done in a semi-crucifix design) for the Child Jesus and the image at present is wearing a cape which were given by his devotees n the recent years.
Origin
St. Joseph of Quezon City
The devotion to St. Joseph of Quezon City began with the establishment of a parish community upon the request of Most Rev. Vicente P. Reyes, DD, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Manila and appointed Fr. Jose S. Sunga to begin the foundation for then a new Housing Homesite development area called Project 2 at the location was then called that Barrio “Obrero” (translated as worker) was the original name of Quezon City in the pre-war period. Fr. Sunga placed the patronage of the chapel under St. Joseph, Patron Saint of Workers, as the spiritual model of the parish community. The first Eucharistic Mass was celebrated in the then newly established parish on December 7, 1951 by Fr. Sunga who was also installed then as the first administrator of St. Joseph Parish Church and making it one of the oldest parishes in Quezon City,
The image of St. Joseph of Quezon City was carved by Maximo Vicente in an unknown date and it was first enthroned in a make shift chapel in Durian street sometime in the late 1940s. When Fr. Sunga acquired the lot where the present church stands amidst the towering buildings and the railway system of the metro, the image was enthroned in the center niche of the retablo. With a fast growing population of the faithful during the 1960-1970 eras, Fr. Sunga was able to locate a 1,700 sq. meter lot in Aurora Blvd. (then Calle Quezon). Ground breaking for the construction of the new church took place on March 1, 1952 and was finished until 1954.
For sometime, the image was hidden from the public eye until the 1990’s where it was only brought out during the fiesta celebrations. Then in 2011, the image finally got its permanent throne on the Gospel side of the sanctuary.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte pinned the pin of the Seal of Quezon City to the image of San Jose de Quezon City
On December 3, 1999, St. Joseph Parish was conferred the title “Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Joseph” by Cardinal Sin. When the Diocese of Cubao was established in 2003, the shrine was incorporated to the then newly established Diocese. The Shrine became one of the centers of devotion to St. Joseph in Metro Manila given its accessibility to the pubic where the faithful would visit the shrine after a long day’s work.
The City Council of Quezon City, Philippines has declared St. Joseph the Protector of Quezon City and added his feast day – March 19 – on the Quezon City Cultural Calendar in a city resolution adopted on December 1, 2021 and was confirmed on December 6, 2021. The formal proclamation rites took place of February 19, 2022 with Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte pinned the pin of the Seal of Quezon City to the image.
The devotion at present
The vesting of the image of St. Joseph of Quezon City
The devotion to St. Joseph of Quezon City continues to grow over the years. The feast of St. Joseph of Quezon CIty is celebrated every March 19, the Liturgical Solemnity of St. Joseph.
The “Dalaw Patron” of a pilgrim image of St. Joseph is brought to each of the eight barangays under the jurisdiction of the parish-shrine until it is returned to the church on the ninth day. The Chaplet of St. Joseph is constantly prayed and a 19th of the month votive Mass in St. Joseph’s honor is held in the shrine. In the recent years, the tradition of vesting the original image of St. Joseph of Quezon City is much awaited rite in the shrine where the devotees would offer a cape that will be placed on the image of St. Joseph as an ex voto or an offering in thanksgiving to the graces and favors received from St. Joseph.
We have seen in the devotion to St. Joseph of Quezon City that he became a father figure of the faithful who are living in a busy city to work for their families and for their own future for he understood their plight as a worker himself to support the Holy Family. The devotees on the other hand found someone that they can lean on to in their needs and a place to take a break, ask for his help and to be refreshed with the life giving Sacrament of Our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom St. Joseph loved and adored in his entire life.
In the historic Cebu City, apart from the famed Minor Basilica of Santo Niño de Cebu – The Mother and Head of all Churches in the Philippines and home of the famous Santo Niño de Cebu, another famous landmark can that is inescapable to all who visit Cebu, a kiosk where it houses the Holy Cross that is believed to be the Cross that Ferdinand Magellan planted in Cebu. In recent years, new evidence suggests otherwise which shed light on the origin of this Cross. For this blog post, let us have a look at the mystery of this Holy Cross in Cebu City that commemorates the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines and the role of Cebu in the historic circumnavigation of the world.
The Cross
The Holy Cross of Magellan
The famed Holy Cross of Magellan is a huge bare Cross of tidal wood with the INRI title on top where it encases an older cross which it was said that back then, pilgrims would chip the Cross due to its miraculous powers. The Cross stands and is housed in the middle of the Kiosk – Chapel where located in front of the present city hall of Cebu, along Magallanes Street near the Minor Basilica of Santo Nino de Cebu. A mural can be seen on the ceiling of the kiosk narrating the story of the arrival of the Catholic faith in Cebu. The Kiosk – Chapel is currently under the administration of the Augustinian Order.
The Landing in Cebu
The Planting of the Holy Cross in Cebu
On April 7, 1521, Ferdinand Magellan and his crew landed on Cebu island, a native chief, Rajah Humabon, met and befriended him. Rajah Humabon, his wife, and hundreds of his native warriors agreed to accept Christianity. Antonio Pigafetta recounts the planting of the Cross: “A large cross was set up in the middle of the square. The Captain General told them that if they wished to become Christians as they had declared on the previous days, they must burn all their idols and set up a cross in their place. They were to adore that cross daily with clasped hands, and every morning after their custom, they were to make the sign of the cross (which the Captain General showed them how to make); and they ought to come hourly, at least in the morning, to that cross, and adore it kneeling,”
Soon afterward, the First Baptism was held in Cebu on April 14, 1521, and gave the images of Santo Niño de Cebu, El Ecce Homo, and Nuestra Señora de los Remedios (Birhen sa Kotta). However, this good relationship ended with the Battle of Mactan on April 27, 1521, and left Cebu to continue the crew’s journey to the Moluccas and complete the first documented circumnavigation of the world.
On the authenticity of Magellan’s Cross
An undated Estampa of the Holy Cross of Magellan labeled as “Santa Cruz”
If we look at the narrative of Magallan’s arrival in the Philippines, there were other places where he planted a Cross in newly “discovered” lands in Homonhon, Samar, and Limasawa Island, Southern Leyte before doing the same act in Cebu. It is a custom for the Spaniards that they would plant a Cross on new lands they would conquer or “discover” as a sign of God’s presence and an act of possession. There were numerous accounts and studies made to point out some interesting points on the authenticity of the Cross. It is reported that the actual Cross that Magellan planted in Cebu was torn down when the Cebuanos turned against the Spaniards three weeks later after the Battle of Mactan. Numerous historians would later point out that a different cross was inside the bigger Tindalo cross casing enshrined at the kiosk.
Fray Martin de Rasa, OSA
Modern historians and scholars would note that the Cross that was inside the tindalo wood casing was a Cross that was believed to be that of Fray Martin de Rada, OSA when the Spaniards returned to Cebu in 1565. It is noted that during their return, a new Cross was planted and it was attributed to him that it was also called “Cruz de la Españoles” or “The Cross of de Rada”. Fray de Rada would later be known as the champion and protector of the natives of Cebu where he protected them from the abuse of the Spanish officials which earned him the name “Apostle of Cebu”.
It is also interesting to note that there was a certain episode in Cebu that would give this Cross a reputation of being a miraculous Holy Cross. It was during the Reconquista of the Spaniards and they are building the church and the convent that a fire broke out. When it was about to reach the Holy Cross, the fire went out suddenly which led the faithful to deem the Cross miraculous hence they chipped off some parts of the Cross to keep as relics or amulets.
The 1941 historical marker of the Magellan Cross Kiosk
Interestingly in 1967, a certain group of tour organizers placed the marker at the base of the Cross stating that it was that of Magellan’s by now, after many studies on the authenticity of the Cross, the claim is now being questioned, notably by Prof. Jobert Bersales of Cebu among others. Also, it is interesting to note that the claim of that particular marker was already contradicted by the older marker that dates back to 1941 which clearly states that is a memorial monument, not the exact spot where the Cross was planted.
The Kiosk
The Magellan’s Cross Kiosk
The kiosk was built on the site near the Santo Niño Basilica and convent in 1735 by Rev. Fr. Juan Albarran, OSA, Prior of San Agustin as a memorial monument of the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan in the country. In 1834, Rt. Rev. Santos Gomez Marañon, Bishop of Cebu (1830-1840) granted a plenary indulgence to the faithful who would venerate the Holy Cross on the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross.
When Cebu City was established in 1937, the Magellan Cross Kiosk is prominently shown in the official emblem of the city to emphasize its crucial role both in the province of Cebu and the entire nation in history.
In 1965, for the celebration of 400 Years of the Formal Evangelization of the Philippines, the Knights of Columbus Cebu Chapter took the initiative of restoring the chapel-kiosk in line with the celebrations and it became one of the key venues for the Quadricentennial Celebrations for processions, parades as well as the Memorial Mass for the 400 Years of Christian witnessing in the Philippines. A few decades later, on April 19, 2021, in celebration of the 500 Years of Christianity in the country, the Kiosk once again became one of the key venues for the celebration with a Memorial Mass offered near the Kiosk. That same day, the vicinity of the Chapel-Kiosk and the Basilica Minore of Sto. Niño de Cebu was declared National Cultural Treasure.
Traditions
Pilgrims offering candles to the Holy Cross of Magellan
The Holy Cross of Magellan was also getting a cult following over the past centuries where the faithful of Cebu deemed the Cross miraculous due to the favors granted thru prayer on this particular cross. it is from here that the pious act of offering candles to the Cross developed where the faithful can offer it directly on the base of the Cross or it can be lit at designated candle stations surrounding the Basilica and Kiosk area. Outside the Kiosk, on can witness candle vendors dancing the traditional Sinulog while holding the candles they were selling as an act of offering and supplication to Our Lord.
The Significance of the Magellan’s Cross
Despite the questions of authenticity of the Holy Cross of Magellan, it serves as a symbol of two of the most important events in history: the arrival of the Catholic faith in Southeast Asia and the role of our country in the first circumnavigation of the world. It is in this Cross that we boldly proclaimed our rich history and the strong faith that we Filipinos have despite the challenges that the nation faced over the past 500 years and conquered them all by the grace of God and His Mother.
Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje de Antipolo – to whom Dr. Jose Rizal offers this particular one act play
2021 is filled with much celebrations and milestones – through the manner of these celebrations were subdued to the ongoing pandemic that is still ravaging the world – namely the 500 Years of the Catholic faith in the islands and it’s subsequent Battle of Mactan, the 395th anniversary of the arrival of the image of Nuestra Señora de la Pz y Buen Viaje de Antipolo in our country and the 160th birthday of our National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal, whose fame and enigma still holds much influence up to this day. These three celebrations highlights the cultural importance and impact that affect and changed our lives that gave us a good foundation for our nationhood: the strong Catholic faith, the devotion to the Virgin of Antipolo and the heroism of Dr. Jose Rizal.
For this blogpost, the blogger will be sharing the English translation of Dr. Jose Rizal’s “Junto al Pasig”, one of his little known literary piece that he wrote for the Jesuits for the Feast of the Immaculate Concecption where the Virgin of Antipolo and it’s Fiesta procession was immortalized while it gives an interesting plot on the Filipino’s Catholic faith and it’s long forgotten paganism. We will also look on his devotion to the Virgin of Antipolo and how it influenced his life and writings (including this play) until his death in 1896.
Rizal and the Virgin of Antipolo in his younger years
A digitally rendered photograph of the young Jose Rizal with the image of Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje of Antipolo
Dr Jose Rizal is arguably one of the most well known devotee of the Virgin of Antipolo and he frequently references her in many of his works. But how it all began?
In his memoirs of his younger years, he narrates that his mother Doña Teodora Alonzo, a member of the Venerable Third Order of St. Francis of Assisi, had a difficult preganancy that she almost died of childbirth because of his big head have she not made a vow to the Virgin of Antipolo to make a pilgrimage to her shrine if she will have a safe delivery of Jose.
He was able to fulfill this promise on June 6, 1868, accompanied by his father, Don Francisco Mercado Rizal since Doña Teodora was advancing with age and just gave birth to his sister which limits her movements in the years to come. He also kept a souvenir print of the Virgin of Antipolo that he brings along to his travels.
Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje de Biñan venerated at the parish under her patronage in Biñan, Laguna where Dr. Jose Rizal used to visit in his younger years when it was still a chapel dedicated to the Virgin of Peace and Good Voyage
From here we see that it was from this vow from his parents that helped cultivate his devotion to the Brown Virgin that would carry on in his entire life. When he was sent to Biñan, Laguna (the birthplace of his father) for early studies under the guidance of Justiniano Aquino Cruz, he frequently visit a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage that was believed to be established in 1867 which would later become a parish in 1967.
Writing Junto al Pasig
Dr. Jose Rizal during his student years at the University of Santo Tomas when he wrote the one act play “Junto al Pasig” as requested by the Jesuits at Ateneo de Municipal de Manila.
In his student life in Manila, the role of the Virgin of Antipolo is still prominent in his life where he notes that brings print of the image of the Virgin when he left home for school and later in his travels during his adulthood. In 1880, the Virgin of Antipolo would become Rizal’s muse when he wrote the zarzuela (one act play) entitled “Junto al Pasig” (Along the Pasig) while he was taking both his pre medicine and medicine proper courses at the University of Santo Tomas (a rare privilege for a student like him which dispels the long standing misinformation that he suffered mistreatment at the University).
Although he was a student of UST at that time, the Jesuits of Ateneo, whom he remained close with after completing his studies there, asked him to contribute to the festivities in honor of La Inmaculada Concepcion (the Patroness of Ateneo) as the president of the Academia de la Literatura Castellana in Ateneo Municipal de Manila and it is from this request that he wrote the said zarzuela. The one act play was perfomed by the members of the Academia on December 8, 1880 – Feast of the Immaculate Conception and the music for the choruses was written by a Spanish professor, Blas Echegoyen.
The following English translation that is presented in this blog is adapted from is taken from the translation of Leon Ma. Guerrero that was published in 1949 in the book “The Young RIzal”.
Along the Pasig
One Act Play by José Rizal
CHARACTERS:
Leonido Candido Pascual Satan Angel Children’s Chorus Demons’ Chorus
Nuestra Señora de la az y Buen Viaje de Antipolo
The action takes place along the Pasig River, in the town of the same name.The backdrop should show the river and the bank opposite to that on which are the actors.The church, houses, cane-fields, and a profusion of banners and other decorations common in the towns of this archipelago should be pictured.It is the hour of dawn, and consequently the lighting of the scene should be subdued.
FIRST SCENE (Candido, Pascual, and other children.One of them carries flowers; the others have pennants and toys suitable for children.)
Chorus
Pretty Pasig, pretty river, Wear your best bouquets, Happy morning, dawning, give her All our brightest rays. Clear and cloudless skies above her, Pink with dawn her cheek, All who see her now must love her All who beauty seek.
Here the river gives in beauty Peace of heart and mind, He the soul beset with duty Happiness may find.
Candido: What a beautiful morning! The flowers look fresh at dawn! Listen to the bamboo along the river, and to that little bird singing! Everything is so pretty it makes me feel wonderful. Don’t you feel it too? Don’t you feel that everyone is happy because the Virgin is coming by today?
All: No doubt about it!
Pascual: The whole town is excited.The coming of the Virgin has made them so happy that they are dancing around with joy. All the streets are decorated and everyone, young and old, has gone out to watch Her pass buy.
First Boy: That’s true, Pascual. I believe it. The people cannot wait to hang up pennants and flags.
Second Boy: I am going to give the Virgin this basket of flowers. Let me see! (With contempt) That isn’t much. At home I have a cage with birds of different colors, you should hear them sing. That is what I shall give Her when She passes by.
Third Boy: Little Birds! How silly! (Boastfully) I’ve got firecrackers.
First Boy: Go on! That’s for scaring people.
Third Boy: Are you scared?
First Boy: I? No
Pascual: I have a flute at home. (All laugh)What is strange about that?I do have it, and I shall play it too.You know my father has taught me to play different tunes, pretty, very pretty. I shall play them; you shall see.
Second Boy: My flowers will be better.
Pascual: My flute.
First Boy: You are both crazy. My bird-cage is better.
Third Boy: No, my firecrackers are better.
First Boy: No, sir.
Third Boy: Yes, sir.
First Boy: Stupid!
Third Boy: That silly bird-cage is worthless.
First Boy: Your firecrackers are worse.
Candido: Come, friends, do not quarrel. Each gift is good, but let me ask you one thing.Listen to me, and let us do what I say. Let us decorate a banca with banners and pennants of different colors and let us paddle slowly along the river in it.You shall bring your flowers; and you, the bird-cage; and you, the firecrackers. This one can play his flute; and so we shall go along the river until we meet Our Lady. What do you think?
All: Good, very good.
Third Boy: Nothing better.
First Boy: Let us go look for the banca.
Candido: Hat is what I say too.(Ready to go)But wait.Where is Leonido?
Pascual: That is right.Where did he go?
Second Boy: Where could he have gone?
Third Boy: I do not know.
Candido Well, then, let us look for him first.Let us leave the banca for later; it does not matter.Right now we lack the most important thing, for we do not have our leader.
First Boy: Let us look for him.
Candido: Right now.Without him, nothing can be done.
Third Boy: We shall find him even if we have to drag the bottom of the river.
Chorus:
Let’s go, let’s go, Let’s go without delay, For Mary mild Will bless this happy day!
SECOND SCENE (Enter Satan, pale of visage, dressed in black and red.)
Satan: Can it be true? Is it possible that the people that once adored me are now to be saved? What unique power shelters and shields these ignorant sailors of the stormy sea of life, so that they manage to escape the traps I set for them? Who can have taken them out o the darkness where they were buried, and has lifted them to the light of day? Alas, to my misfortune, it was surely you, oh Woman, you whose virtue once sufficed to cast me down from my heavenly seat! Privileged creature, when shall I prevail against you? Damnation Hell itself, where sorrow, and cruel suffering, and horror dwell, cannot rival my eternal despair. Alas, sad fate, to be deprived of the sweet happiness of heaven! Why did my Conqueror refuse me one last boon: that in the terrible bitterness of my fall, I should find consolation in the arms of death?
Alas, I am a spirit, a sublime, and also a miserable and wretched being, condemned to suffer for eternity under the Hand which weighs upon me. When man on earth sighs and weeps because life is hard, he consoles himself amid his sufferings with the thought that life is also short.But an angel does not dare to hope that he shall die. Patiently I must endure my dark and inevitable destiny, for in my matchless war with heaven, fortune was against me. Still, though vanquished, I pursue my fatal course. He loves the good, I love evil. Excellent! Let Him do what He will, I shall wreck His plans. It is but just, for He is my mortal enemy; let our duel begin!I shall consider how, with cunning and with perfidy, I shall recover my unequalled empire. Earth, I envy you! And I shall recover you! I shall wait here in hiding for some unwary Christian. (Hides himself behind a tree) The race I hate so much shall fall again into my hands.
THIRD SCENE (Enter Leonido)
Leonido: The bank is deserted.I do not hear any shouting. It is strange; already the day is bright, and I do not see anyone here. They should have arrived by now; they promised me they would come…. Can they have left already? . . . Maybe I have lost my way. But no, this is the path that leads to town…. Here is the river; there the church, my house, the banners…. Of course this is the playground Pascual told me about. He said we would wait here for the Immaculate Virgin to pass…. But how can I be sure that they have not just left? The best thing would be to go look for them. I shall go downstream . . . no, upstream…. I think the procession will not be long in coming
(He makes ready to leave when Satan enters, dressed as a “diwata”).
FOURTH SCENE (Leonido and Satan)
Satan: Stop! Where are you going?
Leonido: Who are you?
Satan: Don’t you know me?
Leonido: I do not remember your face, nor do I recall ever having seen you. Let me pass.
Satan: Never. Look at me well.
Leonido: Tell me, please, who are you?
Satan: I am he who, with matchless power, gives laws to the hurricane, the sea, and the fire he who flashes in the lightning and roars in the torrent.I am he who in a fairer age ruled with grandeur and power, venerated and feared, the absolute god of the Filipinos.
Leonido: You lie! The god of my ancestors already sleeps in shameful oblivion. His obscene altars, where victims by the thousands were offered to the chant of ill-omened devotions, now lie shattered.We have words only of contempt for the forgotten rites of his broken power. You are no god; I am sure you lie, for only one true God exists, the God who made man and the whole world, and whom our finite mind adores.
Satan: Fool! Do you not fear the power of my anger? Impious child, do you not see that mine is the air you breathe, the sun, the flowers, and the billowy river? At my call, strong with the power of creation, these islands rose from the waters, islands lighted by the dawn and which once were fair. As long as faithful to my holy cult, the people lifted up their prayers before my altars, I saved them a thousand times from death, hunger, fear. The fields overflowed with fragrant greenery; the golden grain sprouted without labor from the hallowed earth, then undefiled. The spotted goat, the fleet deer, and the fat cattle, wandered over the peaceful meadow. The industrious bee dutifully filled her comb with delicious honey as a gift to man. The crow, secluded in its nest, did not cry sad omens of terrible calamities. This rich land then enjoyed such a happy age that in its delights it rivaled heaven. But now, disconsolate and afflicted, it groans under the rule of alien people, and slowly dies at the impious hands of Spain. Withal, I shall liberate it, if it bends the knee to my cult, which shines with splendor still. So powerful am I that, at this very moment, I shall give you everything you may desire, if only you adore me. But woe unto you if you are blind and distrustful, for I shall open at your feet the deep abyss.
Leonido: If you are so powerful, if the destiny of mortals is in your hands, why have the Christians proved to be your undoing? And if, as you say, the wild sea is your humble hireling and obeys your voice of command, why were not the frail Spanish caravels, which now deride you, swamped and buried underneath the waves? Why did your stars guide them in the gloomy night and the wind fill their sails? Why did you not hurl your thunderbolts upon them? Does that prove perhaps that you are omnipotent? But greatest of your misfortunes is the Name of Mary, a name which consoles the afflicted human even as it rebukes your arrogance, the Name which erased the last tracts of your cult.
Satan: The last traces of my cult! Wretch, do you not know that only a people prostrate in adoration before me, is safe? Ah, the future shall bring the disasters I reserve for you race, which follows this profane religion: tragic calamities, pestilence, wars, and cruel invasions by various nations in coming ages not far distant. Your people will water with their blood and tears the thirsty sands of their native land. The bird, wounded by burning metal, no longer shall raise its song in the pleasant meadow, nor in that time of affliction shall your ancient forests, your rivers, your valleys and your springs be respected by the hateful men who shall come to destroy your peace and prosperity, while I, in my vengeance shall unloose the untamed winds which, with ferocious rage, shall make the elements run riot to worsen with horrible travail the sad fate of the frail canoe sinking in the waters.In my hatred I shall raze the green fields of their best grain, and from the tall summit of the proud mountain I shall hurl a burning river of lava which, wrapped in smoke and devouring flame, shall lay desolate the towns like a furious torrent that, overflowing, tears out unnumbered trees. Benumbed at my passionate command, the earth shall tremble with grievous shocks, imperiling with each movement the rich land and all life upon it. Alas, alas, how great that desolation! What useless groaning, how much weeping, shall I hear then, but in my heart shall be no pity for this people, and I shall look on with insolent merriment, laughing in my mortal hatred!
Leonido: You lie! You can do nothing. I adjure you, in the name of the Lord whom my soul adores, to tell me who you are. Angel or impure spirit, who wishes to seduce me, take off that mask which gives your primitive figure an infernal aspect.
Satan: Very well, then, behold! (In devil’s dress) Observe and note that I am Satan, the angel who in an age remote sat splendidly upon a throne, his brow magnificent with light. I am he who, with ferocious rancor, gave battle to Heaven’s Tyrant. Then, vanquished in hopeless defeat, I dragged your ancestors behind me to their souls’ death. But if the Christian’s lofty faith has prevailed against my fury, I shall avenge the mortal injury on you. I am the stronger, and if you do not wish to die, fall at my feet.
Leonido: Never!
Satan: Behold my power and my glory! The mighty spirits that rule the universe, obey my voice. Follow my heroic flag! Here me: if humbly you abjure your new devotion, and repentance take yourself with fervent faith to my altars, I shall make you happy, and fill you with delight. You shall have whatever you desire: the river which runs at your feet, carrying diamonds and pearls, the air you breathe with its myriad creatures, these plants, these flowers, those houses, groves – all shall be yours if now you cast aside your new-found faith, if you condemn the hateful name of Her whose feast it is today. But, woe unto you if in your obstinacy you choose to disobey me, for at your feet this very moment the fearsome earth shall open, burying you in its profundity, as a drop of water is buried in the sand in a time of drought!
Leonido: It is in vain that you try to strike cowardly fear into me with your tongue. In vain, in vain, do you pretend that I should bow and worship. Never shall the devil frighten the Christian child. Before the Son of Mary, eternal Hell itself shall tremble. Lying spirit, go! Flee and return to your place of darkness, to the dwellings of despair and eternal shame.
Satan: Very well. Since you have wished it so, then you must die. You shall be the last victim to burn upon my altars; you shall play for your people; in you I shall avenge my wrongs. Spirits, loyal companions, who find evil sweet, who feed with cruel bitterness on the hatred that your souls contain, come to me joyfully, the war begins.
FIFTH SCENE (Enter demons, tumultuously)
Demons’ Chorus:
Who calls in accents fell? Who would our might employ? Long live the realms of Hell And all its evil joy! Whoe’er defies our spell, A thousand deaths destroy!
Satan: You have come at a happy moment, hear me attentively. My voice has called you because today sweet revenge shall crown our fondest hopes.
Demons Chorus:
We devils love our king, We go where’er he goes, When he commands, we bring Destruction to his foes!
Satan: Unhappy boy, repent your offenses; return wholehearted to my cult; come and bless my spotless image, and upon you fortune shall smile.
Leonido: Vile traitor, I detest you. Only to God do I render love. While I live, I shall be faithful; for Him I wish to die.
[NOTE: At this point it is assumed that Leonido stages his death ending in sleep]
Demons:
Long live, long live our Chief, For him our every breath – Who grudges him belief Will suffer death, death, death!
SIXTH SCENE (The same and an Angel)
Angel: Back, spirits damned by the anger of heaven! Speed your wings to the mansion of sorrow! Flee if you fear the deadly flash of the thunderbolt! Flee, perverse leader, traitorous archangel! (Devils flee)
And you, faithful child, awaken. (Leonido awakens) Come to me. I am the messenger of heaven, who has freed you from the perfidious Satan. Already the virgin of Antipolo sails the waters of the river. Salute her with pious hymn, for you shall always be Her child. Mercifully she saved you from the clutches of hell. Be Her most loving son, for She brings happiness. Already your companions arrive; they have looked for you eagerly. Farewell, then; I must return to heaven. Farewell, Leonido farewell! (Disappears.)
Leonido: Farewell, beautiful spirit, my deliverer, guardian of the sleeping child!
LAST SCENE (Leonido and the children.The Virgin can be seen passing by along the river, shortly before the final chorus)
Candido: Leonido! We were looking for you!Look, there is the Virgin Mary! Listen to those thousands of voices singing to Her in harmony!
Leonido: Yes, friend, I can hear them; I too see Her coming. Oh, what secret happiness I feel in my heart! Let us sing a song together on this happy day; let us salute the Virgin! What do you say, friends?
All: Yes, yes.
(The Virgin appears, illumined with light.)
Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje de Antipolo during her visit at the Manila Cathedral to celebrate the 395th anniversary of the arrival of the image in the Philippines
Final Chorus:
¡Salve Rosa pura Reina de la mar! ¡Salve! Blanca Estrella, Fiel Iris de Paz… Antipolo, Por tí sólo Fama y renombre tendrá. De los males, Los mortales Tu imágen nos librará; Tu cariño, Al fiel niño Le guarda siempre del mal; Noche y día, Tu le guías En la senda terrenal.
[English translation: Hail to Thee, Queen of the sea, Rose without stain, Star without wane, Rainbow of peace, hail to Thee!
Hail, Antipolo’s renown, Source of its fame, Image whose Name Saves whom the devil would drown.
In thee we can ever confide, Mother of all, Whatever befall, Night unto day, our Guide!]
FIN
A Retrospective Analysis
The play was set on the festivities in honor of Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje of Antipolo. During Rizal’s time, the townsfolk were used to carry the image of the Virgin of Antipolo during a solemn procession through the Pasig River until it reached her shrine in Antipolo. Interestingly, in 1904, Wenceslao Retana, a critic turned admirer of Jose Rizal, notes that the students from Ateneo sung the last chorus from Rizal’s play during the procession which gives an impression that it became part of the hymns dedicated tot he Virgin.
In the play, Jose Rizal framed the play as an inquiry to with what Christians believe. Through Leonido, the main character, a teenager, Rizal portrayed another perspective of Satan and the Virgin Mary. He centers on thoughts such as Who is the real redeemer of mankind? Who should really be adored? Who should one believe? Does one have to believe? The play’s theme revolves on Christianity, Innocence against Evil, and Paganism.
Interestingly, in an analysis by Rafael Palma, he opined that Rizal’s means of conveying the disguise of Satan (as a “diwata”) portrays Rizal’s nationalism. This is in line with the selection of a Filipino setting, cast, and even the selection of a native representation of the Virgin Mother in the Philippines (Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage), the concept of the “diwata” likewise depicts an equally native means of paganism.
Postscript
Years after the play was staged, he would later write a sonnet dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary entitled “A la Virgen Maria” which he writes:
Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje de Antipolo
A la Virgen Maria
¡María, dulce paz, cardo Consuelo De afligo mortal! Eres la fuente Do mana de Socorro la corriente, Que sin cesar fecunda nuestro suelo.
Desde tu solio, desde el alto cielo, ¡Oye piadosa mi clamor doliente! Y cobije tu manto refulgente Mi voz que sube con velóz, vuelo.
Eres mi Madre, plácida María; Tú mi vida serás, mi fortaleza: Tú en este fiero mar serás mi guía.
Si el vicio me persigue con fiereza, Si la muerte me acosa en la agonía, ¡Socórreme y dispa mi tristeza!
[English Translation: To Virgin Mary
Mary, sweet peace, solace dear Of pained mortal ! You’re the fount Whence emanates the stream of succor, That without cease our soil fructifies.
From thy throne, from heaven high, Kindly hear my sorrowful cry! And may thy shining veil protect My voice that rises with rapid flight.
Thou art my Mother, Mary, pure; Thou’ll be the fortress of my life; Thou’ll be my guide on this angry sea.
If ferociously vice pursues me, If in my pains death harasses me, Help me, and drive away my woes!]
His later works
The Pre-War wax statue of Dr. Jose Rizal carved by Guillermo Tolentino where the effigy wears Rizal’s actual clothing that was kept at UP Mania Library. Unfortunately, the statue was destroyed during the Second World War.
When he left for Europe to pursue further studies, Rizal started to drift away from the Catholic faith due to his association with free thinkers, atheists and freemasons. He, along with other patriots from Marcelo H. del Pilar, Graciano Lopez Jaena, the brothers Juan and Antonio Luna, Jose Ma. Panganiban among others began to campaign for reforms for the Philippines that led to the Propaganda movement which was highlighted with the publication of “La Solidaridad”. It was during these times that he wrote his two famous and controversial novels “Noli me Tangere” (Touch me not) and “El Filibusterismo” that helped shaped the nationalist movement in the Philippines which it reached it’s peak with the spark of the Philippine Revolution in 1896 that led to his death in Bagumbayan by public execution.
In the two novels, we would find that among the venerated images mentioned in them, the Virgin of Antipolo was frequently mentioned on numerous occasions. In Noli, apart from being the Venerated Virgin of the town of San Diego, he associated the Virgin to the character of Don Santiago de los Santos, or Capitan Tiago, the foster father of Maria Clara de los Santos (whose biological father was Padre Damaso de Vardolagas, a renegade Franciscan Friar) where he would perform excessive pious acts to the Virgin yet he treats his devotion as a hall pass to his vices and questionable acts.
In El Filibusterismo, the Virgin was barely mentioned in the entire novel, except on the one scene where a lady wanted to buy an expensive ring from Simoun (an alter ego that Crsisostomo Ibarra embodied after the tragic events that befell on him in “Noli”) yet she was taken aback after learning it’s high price tag. Though he did not wrote any criticisms about the Blessed Virgin Mary, it was the misguided pious acts towards her that he questioned in his novels to show the hypocrisy of the scoirty on treating the divine as a getaway from their wrongdoings and much excess. In reading these two fictional works of Rizal, most would often see that these were anti-friar, yet most of the average readers would often overlook Rizal’s criticism on his fellow Filipinos who succumbed to vices, greed, corrupt morals, misguided ambition and misdirected pious belief that contradicts to what the Church actual teachings which can lead to a social cancer that if not treated, it can lead to a rotting society.
The legacy of Dr. Jose Rizal is unquestionable beyond doubt because of the influence of his life and writings that helped shaped our nation. If we could only read his works smartly, and considering the circumstances of his time, we can then truly understand his message and lessons that help us in our present as we continue our journey on building our nation – with the guidance of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Immaculate Conception, the Patroness of our land.
References:
Balerite, Gaspar, Jose P. Rizal: Human and Catholic, Paulines Publishing House, Pasay City, 2017. Dagohoy, Herminio, OP, The Saga of La Naval, Triumph of the People’s Faith, Dominican Province of the Philippines, Quezon Avenue, Quezon City, 2007. Delos Reyes, Michael P., Inmaculada Peregrina, City, Claret Communications Foundation Inc., 2020. Delos Reyes, Michael P., Morena Graciosa: The devotion to the Virgin of Antipolo through the centuries, Diliman, Quezon City, Claret Communications Foundation Inc., 2016. Guerrero, Leon Ma., The Young Rizal, Bardavon Book Company, Manila, 949 and 1950). Villaroel, Fidel, Jose Rizal and the University of Santo Tomas, UST Press, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, 1984.
Photos:
Birhen ng Antipolo – National Shrine of Our Lady of Peaace and Good Voyage Facebook page Madrid, G Antonio of Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje Parish, Biñan, Laguna Malabanan, James Benedict Naval, Jason of My Religious Journey
The Municipality of Corella, located in the province of Bohol, is known as the one home of the endemic Philippine tarsier, the one of the world’s smallest primates and it’s thriving economy. Corella is also known for its faithfulness to the Catholic faith because of the municipality’s patroness – Nuestra Señora de Villar of Corella, Bohol who continues to shower miracles to her devotees and to the people of Corella.
The image
Nuestra Señora de Villar de Corella of Bohol
The venerable image of Nuestra Señora de Villar of Corella, Bohol is a de vestir image of the Blessed Mother with the Child Jesus based from the image of the same title venerated in Corella in Navarre, Spain with heads, hands and the Child Jesus carved from ivory. The Virgin holds the Child Jesus in her left arm while she is holding a rose without a stem in her left hand. The Niño on the other hand holds a globus cruciger on his right hand and his left hand is in a gesture of blessing. Both Mother and Child wears beautifully made vestments with the Child Jesus wears a royal robe while the Virgin wears a robe, a cape and a veil on her head. Both Mother and Son sports a crown on their heads and the Virgin also sports a rostrillo and the diagnostic doce estrellas on her head to emphasize her beautiful face.
The beginning of the devotion in Spain
Nustra Señora de Villar of Corella, Spain
The beginning of the devotion to Nuestra Señora de Villar began in Corella, Navarre, Spain by the 16th century. Legend has it that a town located precisely on the ground occupied by the Hermitage, and of some neighboring shepherds of the place, who one day of astonishmentwhen they discovered an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary on a rose born of miracle in the mountains of Argenzón. There was no town in existence at that time, but there was a farmhouse, whose name etymologically links with the Roman hamlets or “villas”, which were so abundant in the Corellana region, and there the first Hermitage dedicated to the Virgin.
During the 15th century, a century of war and plague, the farmhouse. It would come to less and the Hermitage to more; the devotion to the Virgen del Villar took root that in July 1549, Pope Paul I, acceding to the neighborhood’s request, granted the City Council the patronage of the Hermitage to Nuestra Señora de Villar. Over the years, popular devotion to its patroness has continually increased, and in the eighteenth century. In recent history, two most important Marian acts of the patron saint have been carried out. One, the declaration of Mayor of Honor of the city, and another, her Canonical Coronation. That took place on January 24, 1948. The Feast of the Virgin is celebrated every Third Sunday of Easter.
The arrival of the devotion in the Philippines
Nuestra Señora de Villar of Corella, Bohol
The devotion to Nuestra Señora de Villar in Corella, Bohol began with the establishment of the town which was carved out from Baclayon in 1879. In 1884, Rev. Fr. Jose Cabanas introduced the devotion to Nuestra Senora del Villar, and established a church in her honor. the place was named Corella after the place where the devotion to Nuestra Señora de Villar flourished in Spain. It is not certain when the image of the Virgin arrived in Bohol yet it is noted that when the image arrived, it was received with colorful ceremonies in the towns of Baclayon and Corella.
Rev. Fr. Felix Guillen, the first Parish Priest of Corella began the construction of the stone church and its convent. The construction was however only completed during the time Rev. Fr. Nemesio Llorente, in 1886. The construction of Corella’s present concrete church began in 1924 under Fr Pedro Montelbon, the parish priest of Tagbilaran who took over the administration of the Corella parish after the incumbent, Fr Eugenio Desamparados left. The establishment of the parish dedicated to Nuestra Señora de Villar in Bohol makes the church the only one dedicated to the Virgin under this title in the country.
The devotion at present
A replica of Nuestra Señora de Villar of Corella, Bohol
The devotion to Nuestra Señora de Villar continues to flourish at present because of the miracles attributed to her intercession. The Feast of the Virgin is celebrated every April 27 with much solemnity and devotional fervor of the people of Corella. We see how the devotion to the Virgin is intertwined to the history of the municipality of Corella for not only it was named after the place where the devotion to the Virgin flourished in Spain, but also became it’s silent witness of Corella’s history, growth and development.
References:
“Ayuntamiento de Corella”, Retrieved on May 10, 2021. “Novena sa Mahal nga Birhen sa Villar” Our Lady of Villar Parish, Corella, Bohol, 1962. “Ntra. Sra. del Villar Patrona de la Ciudad de Corella (Navarra)”, Retrieved from https://mercaba.org/MARIANA/Navarra/villar_corella.htm on May 10, 2021.
Interview:
Eviota, Zircon Jade
Photos:
Nuestra Señora de Villar Parish Facebook profile
Special thanks to Mr. Zircon Jade Eviota for references provided on the history of the devotion to Nuestra Señora de Villar of Corella, Bohol.
In Barangay Barretto, located in Olongapo City, Zambales, a flourishing devotion to the Virgin became known the town which was an offshoot of the famed devotion to Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Porta Vaga of Cavite. The devotion to Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Maquinaya of Zambales became part of the people of Barangay Barretto, not only in their history but also in the every day lives of the faithful in the area.
Image
Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Maquinaya
The image of Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Maquinaya is a painting of the image of Our Lady in her solitude on the first Good Friday. She was kneeling in front of the instruments of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, her hands in prayer position and her face is in a sorrowful yet meditative mien. The Virgin was depicted with the rostrillo-like aureola of 12 stars on her head which is similar to that of the image in Cavite and two candles on both sides. The Virgin wears the typical mourning regalia of the Spanish court: the white dress and inner head cover, the long black veil-mantle tied on its ends, a rosary on her waist and black bands on her hands. The painting is devoid of any decoration with a dark green background yet it is framed in an ornate frame with golden flora and fauna motifs.
The Beginning of the devotion
The beginning of the devotion to Nuestra Señora de la Soledad is uncertain due to lack of records yet it is believed that it was inherited from the migrant workers from Cavite City, which is known as the center of the devotion to Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Porta Vaga, when the US Naval Base moved from Cavite City to Subic, the Caviteño workers settled in Maquinaya (now Barangay Barretto) in Olongapo, Zambales which has a similar geographic set up like those in Cavite Puerto.
In 1959, the Catholic Women’s Association in Barrio Maquinaya was formed for the upkeep of the Catholic faith and it when they decided to have a special patron on the barrio, they decided to have a draw lots for this purpose. The choices of the patrons that were in the draw lots were the Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno, Santo Niño, Mother of Perpetual Help, St. Jude THaddeus and Virgen de la Soledad. A child was chosen to cast the draw and on many instances, the results would be the Virgen de la Soledad and the people took it as a sign the she would be their patroness and the community agreed on the results and chose the Second Sunday of November as it’s feast day – similar to that in Cavite where the Primera Fiesta in honor of the Virgin of Solitude is held on that day.
Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Maquinaya
In 1959, Mrs. Anita Crisostomo, then the president o the Catholic Women’s Association of Mquinaya desire to have an image of the Virgen de la Soledad for veneration of the faithful and for the first fiesta in her honor. Mrs. Crisostomo went to Cavite City to commissioned the image of the Virgin of Soloded based from the one venerated in Cavite City. The portrait was finished and was transported from Cavite City to Olongapo thru public transportation and it arrived just in time for the fiesta of the Virgin.
In 1961, Bishop Henry Byrne, MSSC, DD, Bishop of the Diocese of Iba, donated Php 10,000.00 for the establishment of the parish in Maquinaya. Bishop Byrne was fully aware of the growing Marian devotion in the barrio yet he wanted to give more emphasis to the dogmatic importance of the mystery of salvation that he wished to have the parish dedicated to the Immaculate Conception which it happened in 1986. However, the devotion to the Virgen de la Soledad never wavered and the annual November festivities continued and gained more devotees in the course of decades.
In 2019, the devotees were on their initial stage on formally establishing a Cofradia dedicated to the propagation and preservation of the devotion to the Virgin. It is also decided to use the name of “Maquinaya”, the old name of Barretto, to append on the title of the Virgin of Solitude in commemoration of the barrio’s history which was intertwined to the devotion to “Nuestra” as the devotees called her. The Cofradia de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Maquinaya was formally established on February 20, 2021 after a year of delay due the ravaging pandemic. The Cofradia’s initial step on propagation of the devotion is setting the last Saturday of the Month as the devotional day in honor of the Virgin of Solitude of Maqunaya with offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass followed by a perpetual novena in her honor.
Church Recognition
The Solemn Episcopal Coronation of Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Maquinaya
In 2021, Bishop Bartolome Santos, Bishop of the Diocese of Iba, granted the honor of Episcopal Coronation of the image of the Virgin of Solitude of Maquinaya and the Coronation rites took place on August 22, 2021 – Memorial of the Queenship of Mary. During the Coronation ceremony, she was also named as the Patroness of Barreto, Zambales.
The Devotion as present
Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Maquinaya during her fluvial procession
With the steady development of the devotion to Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Maquinaya and it’s historical importance to the community, we see here the fervent and growing devotion the Virgin over the past decades. Numerous devotees and clergymen joined the newly established confraternity to help advance the devotion to their patroness. Numerous miracles were also reported through intercession and she became a unifying force to the community which was marred with challenges in it’s history. As the people pledge their love and devotion to their beloved patroness, she in turn took care of them with her maternal love that helped strengthen the community to face the future.
Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Maquinaya, Ipanalangin mo kami!
References:
Cofradia de Virgen de la Soledad de Maquinaya, “Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Maquinaya”, Immaculate Conception Parish, Barretto, Olongapo, Zambales (Unpublished manuscript), 2021. Saez Mendoza, Virgilio, “La Virgen de la Soledad de Porta Vaga, Reina de Cavite La Excelsa Patrona y La Celestial Guardiana y Protectora de la Provincia y la Ciudad de Cavite”, 2017.
Photos:
de Guzman, Rodel Maglalang Fabricante, Alan Mauricio La Virgen de la Soledad de Maquinaya Facebook page
Special thanks to Mr. Rodel Maglalangd e Guzman and to the Cofradia de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Maquinaya for the refernces that were utilized in this blogpost.
The image of St. Margaret of Castello that joins the annual La Naval de Manila Grand Fiesta Procession
Just a few days ago, the Catholic faithful in the country rejoiced with the news of the equipollent canonization of a 14th century blind Lay Dominican who captured the hearts of many, especially the downtrodden – St. Margaret of Castello. Her difficult yet holy life inspired many to foster to her and there were many reported miracles that were reported through her intercession over the years. But one may wonder, who is St. Margaret of Castello? Why she is beloved by many and how the devotion arrived in the Philippines? For this blogpost, we are going to discover the holy life of God’s Little Pearl and how the Filipino faithful’s love for her began.
The Life of the Little Pearl
St. Margaret of Castello
St. Margaret of Castello (also known as Margherita de Citta de Castello or Margherita della Metolla) was born in Metolla, Florence, Italy in 1287. She was a great disappointment to her wealthy parents because she was born blind and a hunchback. Her parents were ashamed of her and told people that she had died at birth.yet in reality, they kept her hidden away from the public. On her baptism, her nurse gave the name “Margherita” which means “Pearl”. Only her parish priest was allowed to visit her. He took care of Little Margaret and taught her about God’s love and the Catholic faith. He brought her Holy Communion. Receiving Jesus’ Body and Blood took away her loneliness because she knew Jesus was always with her.
When she was a teenager, her parents took her to a Franciscan shrine in Citta di Castello hoping for a cure during their pilgrimage. When she was not, they abandoned her, leaving her alone in the strange city. The people of Citta di Castello reached out to Margaret. Homeless people taught her to beg. Even though she slept in doorways or empty buildings, she never complained. In time she met men and women who were lay members of the Dominican order. They prayed together and performed good works for people in need. They invited Margaret to join them and she joined the Lay Dominican Order.
From then on, in spite of her physical difficulties, Margaret performed her task as a member of the Lay Order by visited prisoners, helped the sick, and comforted people who were suffering. Soon everyone in the city of Castello knew about Margaret and admired her and the people took turns o taking care of her and her sanctity became known in Citta de Castello.
The processional image of St. Margaret of Castello of santisimo Rosario Parish in UST Complex, Samplaoc, Manila
Miracles
Soon afterwards, miracles were reported through her help which we can recount some in the blogpost. On one occasion, it came to her attention of a certain man named Alonzo was being falsely imprisoned. With no one to care for his wife and young son, they quickly became destitute. Alonzo was tortured by men who wished to learn if he had in fact committed any crime, and although innocent, his overly zealous jailers left him a permanent cripple. When Alonzo was not released, and learned that his son had died of starvation, he fell into despair and blasphemed against God and went into uncontrollable rages. One day when Margaret visited Alonzo she fell into an ecstasy. Her face surrounded by a brilliant light, she levitated almost two feet into the air. When the ecstasy ended, Margaret begged Alonzo to repent and cease his blaspheming. Alonzo tried to speak against God, but found he could not do so. Instead, he pleaded to Margaret, “Little Margaret, please pray for me.”
Blessed Margaret also had the gift of prophesy. She lived with the Macreti family for a time, and they had a sixteen-year-old daughter named Francesca, whom Margaret spent time with teaching her the faith. One day Margaret said that both Francesca and her mother would become Dominican tertiaries. They did not agree with Margaret, as Mrs Macreti cared nothing about religion, and Francesca was expected to marry. Margaret did not back down, saying they would one day wear the habit until death. Mr Macreti died after a few months, leaving his wife inconsolable. She finally found comfort in the Catholic Church. Eventually both she and her daughter asked to be admitted to the Dominican Order, where they remained faithful until death.
St. Margaret of Castello receiving the pearls to her heart given by the Holy Family
One day there was a fire in the house where Blessed Margaret was staying. The downstairs was completely engulfed in flames, and would soon trap Margaret upstairs. People were shouting for Margaret to come down when she calmly appeared at the top of the stairway. Removing her mantle, she threw it downstairs with instructions to cast it into the fire. No sooner was it done than the blaze was instantly extinguished.
St. Margaret had often been heard to say, “Oh, if you only knew what I have in my heart!” It is said that she was was in ecstasy when the Holy Family gave her three pearls in her heart. Years alter, when her remains were examined for her beatification proceedings, they checked in her heart and found three pearls on which appeared to be carved religious symbols, and the images of Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin, and St Joseph. It is because of this episode that there were images of her holding a heart with three pearls as part of her iconography.
Her Passing
Close up of the incorrupt remains of St. Margaret of Castello
St. Margaret died holy death on April 13, 1320 at the age of 33. The people of Citta di Castello mourned her death and thjey wished to have ger mortal remains be buried inside the Dominican Church yet the Friars opted to have her buried in a mass grave which caused much tension between the order and the people. It was later settled that her remains will buried inside the Church after an she performed a miracle where rose up from her eternal sleep to cure a crippled young girl during the funeral rites. The mortal remains of St. Margaret is still kept at St. Dominic’s Church in CItta di Castello and when her remains were exhumed, it remained incorrupt.
Veneration
After careful examination of her holy life and the miracles attributed to her intercession, she was beatified by Pope Paul V on October 19, 1609. Pope Clement X extended the privilege of a Mass and Divine Office in her name to the entire Dominican order in 1675 and was named Patroness for the blind in 1968. Pope Francis declared her a saint through equipollent canonization on April 24, 2021.
The devotion in the Philippines
An illustration of Bl. , St. Pius V and St. Margaret of Castello found in the Annales Ecclesiasticos of the Archdiocese of Manila
The devotion to St. Margaret of Castello in the Philippines already began even during the Spanish regime as indicated in the Annals of the Archdiocese of Manila where on August 7, 1676, Rev. FR. Fray Juan de Paz, OP, the Prior of the Dominican Order at that time in the Philippines, brought to the Cathedral Chapter of Manila the Papal Bull issued by Pope Clement X regarding the beatification of St. Pius V, Bl. Diego de Bebaña and St. Margarita de Castello where he ordered the celebration of the feast days for these then beatified Dominicans with masses, sermons and other festive activities in their honor. St. Margaret would once again made her presence known in the country with the existence of the saint’s copperplate engraving of by Carlos Borromeo in Fr. Francisco Gainza OP’s Milicia de Jesucristo: Manual de los Hermanos y Hermanas de la Tercero Orden de la Penitencia de Santo Domingo, published in Manila in 1859 and it is believed to be her earliest depiction in the Philippines.
An engraving of the image of St. Margaret of Castello by Carlos Borromeo in Fr. Francisco Gainza OP’s Milicia de Jesucristo: Manual de los Hermanos y Hermanas de la Tercero Orden de la Penitencia de Santo Domingo, published in Manila in 1859. Notice that the engraving bears the title “Santa” despite the fact she was beatified in 1609 and canonized in 2021
After these festive and peculiar episodes, nothing much was heard on the devotion to St. Margaret of Castello for centuries until the 1980’s came where the devotion and veneration to the little Pearl of Our Lord that would culminate with her much awaited canonization in 2021.
In the 1980’s Acta Capituli Provincialis of the Dominican Province of the Philippines, it is stipulated the promotion of the devotion to St. Marfaret of Castello from the formation in the novitiate stage of the Dominicans, especially in the seminaries. The Lay Dominicans also played an important role on introducing and propagating the devotion to the saint to the Filipino faithful when a group of Lay Dominicans made a visit to the Shrine of St. Margaret in Kentucky, USA and it prompted them to spread her cultus in the Philippines. The devotees of St. Margaret later formed a group called the Blessed Margaret of Castello Movement in Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City that would help further spread the devotion to the saint and also to give help to the society’s unwanted.
The image of St. Margaret of Castello that joins the annual La Naval de Manila Grand Fiesta Procession
From there, the devotion to St. Margaret began to flourish with Thursday as the devotional day dedicated to her with novenas and votive masses held in her honor and numerous organizations and institutions from Pro-Life Philippines, Bl. Margaret of Castello School, Bl. Margaret of Castello PWD Ministry in Santisimo Rosario Parish-UST were placed under her tutelage. St. Margaret of Castello would later join the roster of Dominican saints of the La Naval de Manila Procession in 1987 and an image of her would later be enshrined in a special altar located near the side entrance of Santo Domingo Church where pilgrims and devotees would offer their prayers and petitions to her and leave votive offerings, usually flowers, at the feet of the image.
In 2020, the Dominicans in the Philippines began gathering testimonies from her devotes that will be submitted for the cause of her canonization and the following year, on April 24, 2021, Pope Francis thru the Congregation for the Causes of Saints issued the decree of Equipollent Canonization where the Holy Father extends the centuries old cult of St. Margaret to the Universal Church.
St. Margaret as an inspiration
The venerated image of St. Margaret of Castello located near the side entrance of Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City where the faithful whisper their payers and offer flowers to the saint.
The devotion to St. Margaret of Castello reached far and wide with notable processional images of her in the the rosary processions in Santisimo Rosario Parish of UST, Manila, the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish in Marikina City, and Immaculate Conception Parish in Guagua, Pampanga. Also notable that images of St. Margaret can be seen in altars in different households and institutions who administer persons with disabilities. Numerous favors were granted through her intercession which gained her more devotees from simple folks, actors, religious, the poor and those who were rejected by the society.
One might wonder, how St. Margaret of Castello gained much love and devotion in the Philippines? Filipino devotees would see in her our daily struggle to be accepted by the society who have this unrealistic or unreachable standards that is being imposed to us to achieve in order to be accepted. But with St. Margaret, we see in her that despite of her deformities and her hard early life, she persevered and lived a holy life that pleases Our Lord and raised her as an example to all of us.
As we end this blogpost, I’ll be sharing the prayer in honor of St. Margaret of Castello that we can use so she can intercede for us especially in times we felt rejected by the ones we knew and by the society and to inspire us in our every day life as we face them.
O my God, I thank you for having given Saint Margaret of Castello to the world as an example of the degree of holiness that can be attained by anyone who truly loves you, Regardless of physical abnormalities.
In today’s perverted culture, St. Margaret would have, most likely, never been born; death through abortion being preferable to life, especially life in an ugly distorted twisted body.
But Your ways are not the world’s ways and so it was Your Will that Margaret would be born into the world With just such a malformed body. It is Your way that uses our weakness to give testimony to Your power. St. Margaret was born blind, so as to see You more clearly; A cripple, so as to lean on You completely; dwarfed in physical posture, so as to become a giant in the spiritual order; hunch-backed, so as to more perfectly resemble the twisted, crucified body of Your Son. St. Margaret’s whole life was an enactment of the words expressed by Paul: “So I shall be very happy to make my weaknesses my special boast so that the power of Christ may stay over me and that is why I am content with my weaknesses, and with insults, hardships, persecutions and the agoniesI go through for Christ’s sake. For it is when I am weak that I am strong.” (2 Cor 12:10).
I beseech you, O God, to grant through the intercession of Saint Margaret of Castello, that all the handicapped – and who among us is not – all rejected, all unwanted of the world may make their weaknesses their own special boast so that your power may stay over them now and forever. Amen.
Nuestra Señora de los Remedios de Cebu -“Birhen sa Kotta”
We might be familiar with the narrative of Ferdinand Magellan giving the image of the Santo Niño de Cebu to Reina Juana on April 14, 1521, yet with recent studies on this event, we found out that there were two more images that Magellan gave to the Cebuanos – The bust image of El Ecce Homo that can still be seen today and the lost image of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, also known as “Birhen sa Kotta” which was unfortunately lost during the onslaught of the Second World War. Now as we are celebrating the 500 Years of the Catholic Faith in our country, let us have look on one of the lost devotions and heritage of our faith and how the devotion would influence the Marian piety of Cebu a few centuries later, despite of it’s loss.
The Image
Nuestra Señora de los Remedios – Birhen sa Kotta sa Sugbo
The petite image of the Blessed Mother, known as Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, or more popularly known at the time as “Birhen sa Kotta” of Cebu is that of the Blessed Virgin in the Madonna and Child model where the Child Jesus is resting in the arms of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Virgin in turn sweetly looked at her Son resting. The Virgin and Child wears Hebraic robes while the Virgin wears a long mantle from head to toe. The Mother and Child stands on a cloud base with a putti (an angel depicted only with a head and wings) facing the faithful, a rafaga (rays of light) at the back of the image and crowns on their heads. Interestingly, in one of the two existing photographs of the image, the image was also vested with nicely embroidered vestments for both Mother and Child and a veil for the Virgin that also covers her Son with crowns on their heads.
The Magellan Narrative
The gifting of the images of Santo Niño de Cebu, El Ecce Homo and Virgen de los Remedios to Reina Juana by Ryan Carreon
As we begin the narrative of the Nuestra Señora de los Remedios de Cebu, we must go back to March 14, 1521 with the First Baptism in the Philippines held in Cebu where after Ferdinand Magellan eagerly gave Catholic instruction to the natives and baptized Rajah Humabon as “Carlos”, in honor of Carlos V, the King of Spain at that time and to his wife Hara Humamay (as what some scholars identified) was given the name “Juana”. After the Sacrament of Baptism was completed, Ferdinand Magellan gave Reina Juana three images: The famous Santo Niño de Cebu, a bust of El Ecce Homo and the image of the Madonna and Child which will later be known as Nuetra Señora de los Remedios. According to Antonio Pigafetta’s chronicles: “She was shown an image of Our Lady, a very wooden image of the Child Jesus, and a Cross (some scholars would later note it was the bust image of the El Ecce Homo). Thereupon she was overcome with contrition, and asked for baptism amid her tears.”
This beautiful contact with Christianity would come to an end with the Battle of Mactan where Magellan died in the hands of warriors headed by Lapu Lapu on April 27, 1521 and the Spaniards left to continue their journey to the Moluccas and returned to Spain which led to the first recorded circumnavigation of the world.
TheDiscovery and Devotion
Nuestra Señora de los Remedios – Birhen sa Kotta vested
By the time Miguel Lopez de Legazpi set foot to the Philippines in 1565, he and his crew built Fort San Pedro as a military defense from rogue natives and Moro pirates. During the construction, the image of “Birhen sa Cotta sa Sugbo” was found floating inside a well located inside the fort around the years 1572-1575. The discovery of the image inside the Spanish fort’s fresh water well lent it the title Nuestra Señora de la Cotta, the Lady of the Fort, and was first enshrined at the garrison’s chapel.
It is certain that when the expedition of Legazpi arrived 44 years later, there were no Christians left. It is believed that to despise the Catholic religion or for fear of other idolaters, the new converts tried to get rid of the statue of Our Lady given by Pigefetta to the Queen. So they tried to bury the image in the place where many years later she was found.
The present image of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios – Birhen sa Kotta enshrined at Fort San Pedro in Cebu
The venerated image gained many devotees since then. The waters from the well were also said to have miraculous properties that due the cures attributed to Virgin, she was given the name “Nuestra Senora delos Remedios”. It was only by the middle of the 1800’s that the image was transferred to the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral in the Capilla del Bautisterio, carrying with it the reputation of being miraculous. Her feast day was then celebrated every December 18.
The Unfortunate Oblivionand Keeping the memory of the lost Virgin
The present image of Virgen los Remedios – Birhen sa Kotta enshrined at her altar at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral
The devotion to the Birhen saKotta would come on a screeching halt when the Cathedral of Cebu was bombed during the Second World War. The Cathedral was heavily damaged and it is believed that the image was one of the casualties yet there were several unverified stories that are circulating for years that the image was spared and the whereabouts of the this miraculous image were unknown. From here, the devotion to the Nuestra Señora de los Remedios declined, probably due to the loss of the original image. However, efforts were made to keep the devotion alive with two replacement images that were commissioned, one in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Cebu where the the new image is enshrined in one of it’s altars and the other in Fort San Pedro. donated by a benefactor as a reminder of the origin of the image.
The Episcopally Crowned images of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios of Labangon, Cebu City and Odlot, Bogo City, Cebu
Interestingly, there are parishes in Cebu that were established and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary as Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, particularly in Labangon, Cebu City; Odlot, Bogo City and in Guindarohan, Minglanilla and they celebrate their feasts on the month of December, perhaps as a reminder of the older devotion that once thrived in Cebu. It is also noteworthy that the devotion to Nuestra Señora de los Remedios of Labangon and most especially in Odlot have gained a devotional following due to the miracles reported through the help of the Virgin that the images of Labangon and Odlot received the honor of episcopal coronation in 2010 and 2014 respectively.
It may seem that the devotion to the Nuestra Señora de los Remedios – Birhen sa Kotta was lost since the Second World War, it’s influence on the present popular Marian piety of Cebu can still be seen with the new images and parishes dedicated to her. As we celebrate the 500 Years of Christianity in our land, let us also celebrate the legacy of the Birhen sa Kotta sa Sugbu because the gifing of this Marian image by Magellan can be see as a precursor of the country’s love for the Blessed Virgin Mary that centuries later, the Philippines will be called “Pueblo Amante de Maria” because of the strong devotion we have to the Mother of God and for the love protection that she bestowed in these islands for the last 500 Years.
References
Aviado, Lutgarda, “Madonnas of the Philippines”, Manlapaz Press, Quezon City, 1972. Mojres, Resil, “The Feast of the Santo Niño, An Introduction of the History of a Cebuano Devotion”, University of San Carlos Press, Cebu, 2017. Sanchez, Francisco, “La Virgen Maria Venerada en sus Imagenes Filipinas”, Manila: Imp. De Santos y Bernal, 1904. Vengco, Sabino Jr., “Shaping the Filipino Marian Piety”, St. Paul’s Publications, 2019.
Photos and Artworks
Carreon, Ryan Prroquia de la Nuestra Señora de los Remedios de Guindarohan Facebook page Yu, Kendrick Dominic of La Sagrada Expedicion
+AMDG+ +AMPSPC+
This blog post is dedicated to my good friends Dr. Peter Nepomuceno, Rev. Fr. Arnold Sta. Maria Cañoza who left this world due to complications of COVID-19, to Roi Peralta who ended his bout with a long term illness and to all who succumbed to COVID-19. May Our Lord and Our Lady welcome them to their loving arms in heaven as we pray for the repose of their souls.
The Philippines – The Pearl of the Orient, The Kingdom of the Child Jesus and Pueblo Amante de Maria – these were the usual titles that are attached to our country because of how vibrant our Catholic faith is being practiced in our country for the last 500 years despite the challenges that athe nation faced from past to present. The gift of the faith in the country is much to be thankful for and it is our challenge to keep the fire alight as we continue with our journey in this valley of tears.
Now as we celebrate this incredible gift of faoyh in our lands, let us look back on our long yet interesting timeline of some key important events in the Philippine Catholic Church that truly shaped our nationhood as the centuries progressed.
A Prelude
The Map of the Philippine Islands by Rev. Fr. Pedro Murillo Velarde, SJ
With the Age of Exploration that were initiated by the rival Catholic Kingdoms of Portugal and Spain and the historic discovery of the Americas by Christopher Colombus, in order to settle the dispute on the lands that both kingdoms that are discovered and claimed, numerous Papal Bulls and treaties were issued to address this concern, most notably the “Inter Caetera” of Pope Alexander IV issued in 1493 and the Treaty of Tordesillas of 1494 which prompted the historic exploration efforts to the then undiscovered lands for conquest and also to bring the light of Christ in these new lands.
On the other side of the world, there is the archipelago called the Philippines where since the ancient times, it is already a melting pot of cultures and already have trade relations with the Hindus, Chinese and Arabs. The history of the islands and the world will change forever with one man – Ferdinand Magellan.
The Voyage to the Philippines and the Spice Islands
Ferdinand Magellan
On September 20, 1519, Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese navigator, accompanied by Juan Sebastian Elcano, Antonio Pigefetta, a Venetian chronicler and Padre Pedro de Valderrama, a Diocesan Priest, set sail from Spain in an effort to find a western sea route to the rich Spice Islands thru the support of the Spanish monarchs King Ferdinand and Queen Isabela of Castille. In command of five ships and 270 men, Magellan sailed to West Africa and then to Brazil, where he searched the South American coast for a strait that would take him to the Pacific. After passing thru a strait that would later be known as “The Strait of Magellan” in South America in 1520, he and his crew reached the Pacific Ocean from the Atlantic. His fleet accomplished the westward crossing of the ocean in 99 days, crossing waters so strangely calm that the ocean was named “Pacific,” from the Latin word pacificus, meaning “tranquil.” By the end, the men were out of food and chewed the leather parts of their gear to keep themselves alive. On March 6, 1521, the expedition landed at the island of Guam. A few days after leaving Guam the Philippine Islands would now take center stage in the circumnavigation of the world and a glimpse of Light of Christ in the Philippine islands.
The arrival of the Magellan Expedition in the Philippines
March 16, 1521 – Arrival of Magellan’s expedition to the Philippine Islands. They headed to Suluan, a small island in the province of Eastern Samar, and dropped anchor for a few hours of respite.
March 17, 1521 – The expedition set foot at Homonhon, another small island in the province of Eastern Samar and named it “Isla de San Lazaro”. They were detected by the boats of Rajah Kolambu and welcomed them.
March 18, 1521 – The first contact of the Magellan Expedition and the natives where the natives provided them food and nourishment.
The First Mass held in the Philippines
March 31, 1521 – The First Documented Mass in the Philippines was offered by Rev. Fr. Pedro de Valderrama for the celebration of Easter Sunday. A big Cross was also planted in the area. It was hotly debated whether if the First Mass took place either in Limasawa Island, Southern Leyte or in Butuan, Agusan del Norte. In the recent ruling of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines in 2020 and upheld by the Church Historians’ Association of the Philippines in 2021, recognized Limasawa Island as the site of the First Mass in the country.
The First Baptism held in the Philippines by Fernando Amorsolo
April 7, 1521 – Arrival at the Rajahnate of Cebu where they were welcomed by Rajah Humabon and the Cebuanos.
The gifting of the images of anto Niño de Cebu, El Ecce Homo and Virgen de los Remedios to Reina Juana by Ryan Carreon
April 14, 1521 – The First Baptism was held in Cebu and Magellan gave the newly baptized Reina Juana the images of Santo Niño de Cebu, El Ecce Homo and Virgen de los Remedios.
The Battle of Mactan
April 27, 1521 – Death of Magellan in the Battle of Mactan headed by Lapu-Lapu. The Spaniards left a few days later to continue their journey to the Moluccas.
November 8, 1521 – Arriving at Tidore in the Moluccas.
December 21, 1521 – The ship “Victoria” under the command of Juan Sebastian Elcano leaves the Moluccas to return home, sailing west towards the Cape of Good Hope.
September 8, 1522 – “Victoria” arrives at Seville, technically completing the circumnavigation.
The Reconquista and the Evangelizationof the Philippines
Over the next several decades since the successful circumnavigation, other Spanish expeditions were dispatched to the islands. In 1543, Ruy López de Villalobos led an expedition to the islands and Leyte and Samar and named the islands as “Las Islas Filipinas” in honor of Philip, the Prince of Asturias, later crowned as Philip II of Spain on January 16, 1556, when his father, Charles I of Spain (who also reigned as Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor), abdicated the Spanish throne. The name was then extended to the entire archipelago later on in the Spanish era.
In 1564, El Adelantado Miguel López de Legazpi was commissioned by the Viceroy of Mexico, Luís de Velasco, to lead an expedition in the Pacific Ocean, to find the Islands where the earlier explorers Ferdinand Magellan and Ruy López de Villalobos had landed in 1521 and 1543, respectively. Members of the expedition included six Augustinian missionaries, headed by Rev. Fr. Andrés de Urdaneta, OSA, who served as navigator and spiritual adviser, Melchor de Legazpi (Miguel López de Legazpi’s son), Felipe de Salcedo (one of Miguel López de Legazpi’s grandsons), Martin de Goiti and Guido de Lavezarez (a survivor of Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition). It is from this expedition that the Reconquista and the formal beginning of Christianization of the Philippines will begin.
The Arrival of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi accompanied by Rev. Fr. Andres de Urdaneta
April 1565 – The Arrival of Adelentado Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in the Philippines accompanied by the Augustinian Friars (Order of St. Augustine) headed by Rev. Fr. Andres de Urdaneta, OSA.
The Kaplag or the finding of the image of Sto. Niño de Cebu in one of the houses in Cebu
April 28, 1565 – The discovery of the image of Santo Niño de Cebu by Juan Camus and named the place dedicated to the Most Holy Nameof Jesus. A confraternity was also established with Legazpi and his aramada enlisted as members. A Church was immediately established in honor of the Child Jesus of Cebu.
June 4, 1565 – The conversion of Rajah Tupas, King of Cebu to the Catholic faith.
Santa Potenciana of Maquiapo, Pampanga
May 19, 1571 – Miguel López de Legazpi took possession of Manila, after Mass in honor of Saint Pudentiana (Santa Potenciana), who was then declared patroness of the city and of the entire Islands. Her relics arrived in the Philippines on January 12, 1595, and were received with great jubilation, paraded through the streets of Manila. They are presumed lost or destroyed during World War II. Until September 1963, her feast was obligatory. She was invoked against typhoons and storms. The Basilica of St. Pudenziana in Rome was designated as the Church for Filipinos who worked and lived in the Eternal City.
The discovery of the image of Nuestra Señora de Guia
May 19, 1571 – The discovery of the image of Nuestra Señora de Guia that was being worshiped as a pagan deity by the natives.
Santo Nino de Tondo
1572 – The Church of the Most Holy Name of Jesus was established in Tondo, Manila and the image of Santo Nino de Tondo was enthroned in that church that would later become the center of the Santo Nino devotion in Manila, aside from Pandacan, Manila. The image was sacrilegeously stolen in 1972 and it coincided with the ravages of Typhoon Gloring where it rained for days unceasingly that killed millions of people and properties destroyed. This catastrophy led the majority of Filipinos believed that this was the result of the theft of the miraculous image of Santo Niño de Tondo. The image was retrieved and re-enthroned to his altar on August 2, 1974.
June 24, 1571 – The Founding of Manila and the colonial Church was first placed under the Archdiocese of Mexico.
The image of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios “Birhen sa Kotta”
1572 – 1575 – The discovery of the image of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios“Birhen sa Cotta”, one of Ferdinand Magellan’s gift to Reina Juana, at a well while the construction of Fort San Pedro was going on at that time. The image was later moved to Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral yet the image’s whereabouts are unknown to this day since the Cathedral was bombed during the Second World War.
The Manila Metropolitan Cathedral – Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
1571 – The establishment of the Manila Cathedral, then known as “Church of Manila”, dedicated to “La Purisima y Inmaculada Concepcion” and became the seat of the Archdiocese in 1579. The Cathedral went on different structural changes due to natural and manmade disasters that occurred in the country over the years. The Manila Cathedral was raised to the dignity of Minor Basilica April 27, 1981 by Pope St. John Paul II.
1571 – The Church of St. Paul was established by the Augustinians which will later to be called San Agustin Church.
June 24, 1571 – The Founding of Manila and the colonial Church was first placed under the Archdiocese of Mexico.
Santo Cristo de Lubao
September 14, 1571 – The image of Santo Cristo de Lubao was gifted by Martin de Goiti to the people of Lubao, Pampanga yet it was buried by it’s ruler Datu Macabulos for his hatred to the Christian faith. The image was discovered after the great floods of 1700s and great veneration was given to the image.
The discovery of the image of El Ecce Homo of Cebu
August 20, 1572 – The discovery of the image of El Ecce Homo of Cebu, one of Ferdinand Magellan’s gifts, in the grave believed to be that of Rajah Humabon, the ruler of Cebu whom Magellan met in 1521 and influenced his fellow people to accept Christianity. The image is currently enshrined at his special altar at the Minor Basilica of Santo Niño de Cebu and his feast are celebrated every August 20 and Shrove Tuesday.
Bishop Domingo de Salazar, OP
1575 – Fray Domingo de Salazar, OP became the First Bishop of Manila. Bishop Salazar, a disciple of Fray Bartolome de las Casas, OP, fought for the protection of the natives from the abuse of Spanish officials.
1578 – The arrival of the Order of the Friars Minor, more popularly known as the Franciscans, and named their province after Pope St. Gregory the Great.
1578 – The San Lazaro Hospital was established by Fray Juan Clemente, OFM which is said to be the first hospital in the country. Fray Juan Clemente would also establish the San Juan de Dios Hospital with Fray Juan Fernandez de Leon as it’s chaplain.
February 6, 1579 – The Diocese of Manila was established as part of the Archdiocese of Mexico.
1581 – The arrival of the Society of Jesus, more popularly known as the Jesuits.
1582 – The Synod of Manila was held under the leadership of Fray Domingo de Salazar, OP, The first Bishop of Manila which tackles on the missionary work and protection of natives from abuse by the Spanish civil authorities and the principalla.
St. Pedro Bautista
1584 – The arrival of St. Pedro Bautista, OFM in the Philippines and became it’s Custos in 1587. St. Pedro Bautista became known for his development efforts in different Franciscan missions by establishing towns in Laguna, Bicol Region, Quezon Province, Zambales, Manila and Quezon City. He is recognized as the founder of the hot springs in Los Baños, Laguna and determined its medical element. He also strongly defended the rights of the indigenous peoples of Zambales.
July 21, 1587 – The arrival of the Order of Preachers, more popularly known as the Dominicans, and named their province after Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary.
1588 – The Dominicans established the Confraternity of the Rosary in Intramuros and proliferated throughout the whole archipelago. St. Lorenzo Ruiz would became one of its members. Centuries later, the Guardias de Honor de Maria, now the Perpetual Rosary Association was founded in 1872.
1589 – The Colegio de Santa Potenciana was establsihed by the Franciscans and it became the first school for girls in the Philippines.
1591– Pope Gregory XIV issued the bull Cum Sicuti addressed to the Bishop of Manila which addresses and reiterate the Church’s teaching against the slavery of the natives.
Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario – La Naval de Manila
1593 – Governor General Luis Perez Dasmariñas commissioned the image of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario – La Naval de Manila with the help of a Spanish Captain turned Dominican priest Don Hernando de los Rios Coronel.
“Doctrina Christiana, en lengua Española y Tagala”
1593 – The pubication of “Doctrina Christiana, en lengua Española y Tagala, corregida por los Religiosos de las Ordenes, Impresa con licensia, en San Gabriel, de la Orden de S. Domingo. En Manila, 1593” – the oldest dated book published in the Philippines by the Dominican Order in order to catechize the natives.
1595 – A royal decree divides the Philippine provinces among religious orders.
1595 – Colegio de San Ildefonso was established by the Jesuit priests Fr. Antonio Sedeño, SJ, Fr. Pedro Chirino, SJ and Fr. Antonio Pereira in Cebu. It was the earliest known college founded in the Philippines.
August 14, 1595 – The Archdiocese of Manila along with its suffragan Dioceses of Cebu, Nueva Segovia and Nueva Caceres were established.
September 1595 – The Royal and Pontifical University of San Ignacio ws established by Fr. Antonio Sedeño, SJ in 1590 and opened in 1595. It became the first Royal and Pontifical University in Asia yet it was unfortunately closed in 176 with the expulsion of the Jesuits.
The Martyrdom of St. Pedro Baustista, St. Felipe de Jesus, St. Paul Miki and the First Martyrs of Nagasaki
1597 – The martyrdom of the First Martyrs of Nagasaki, Japan which includes San Pedro Bautista, OFM and San Felipe de Jesus, OFM – The First Mexican Saint. The Martyrs were canonized on July 10, 1862 by Pope Pius IX.
El Glorioso Patriarca Señor San Jose of Mandaue City, Cebu
1600 – The Jesuits commissioned the image of El Glorioso Patriarca Señor San Jose for their church in Mandaue, Cebu – the oldest dated venerated image of St. Joseph in the Philippines. The Church will later be declared as the National Shrine of St. Joseph in 2001.
August 25, 1601 – The etablishment of the Colegio-Seminario de San Jose by the Jesuits.
Nuestra Senora del Santisimo Rosario y Visitacion de Piat
1604 – The arrival of the paper mache made image of Nuestra Senora del Santisimo Rosario y Visitacion de Piat in the country from Macau and was later enthroned in Piat, Cagayan in 1620. Due to numerous miracles attributed to her intercession, the image was Canonically Crowned on June 20, 1954.
1606 – Arrival of the Order of the Augustinian Recollects, more popularly known as the Recoletos, and named their province under St. Nicholas of Tolentino. Centuries later, the Filipino Recollects established the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno in 1998.
Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Morong (Bataan)
1607 – The reported appearance of Nuestra Señora del Pilar in Morong, Bataan to two captured Moro pirates. When the image of Nuestra Señora del Pilar was shown to them, they quickly identified that this was the lady that they saw in the vision. Since then, the church in the seaside of Morong was dedicated to the Virgin of the Pillar to commemorate this unusual event and the devotion to the Virgin of the Pillar grew and strengthen over the centuries. The image received the honor of Canonical Coronation on October 10, 2018.
Nuestra Señora de la Consolacion y Correa of San Agustin Church, Intramuros, Manila
1607 – The establishment of the Cofradia de la Nuestra Señora de la Consolacion y Correa in Intramuros, Manila and it’s membership and devotion to spread to the provinces. The confraternity gives spiritual monetary assistance to people especially the poor who wishes to pursue a religious vocations. The image of Nuestra Señora de la Consolacion y Correa of Intramuros was Canonically Crowned on September 4, 2000.
The apparition of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag
1610 – The reported apparition of the Virgin of Manaoag to a farmer where she asked that a Church will be built on the spot of the apparition. The people would then name the place Manaoag.
1610 – The publication of “Arte y reglas de la lengua tagala” by Rev. Fr. Francisco Blancas de San Jose, OP.
The apparition of Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Concepcion de Caysasay
1611 – 1619, 1639 – The reported apparitions of Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Concepcion de Caysasay took place on two separate occasions.
The Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas in its present site in Sampaloc, Manila
April 28, 1611 – The University of Santo Tomas, then known as Colegio de Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario was established in Intramuros, Manila upon the will of Archbishop Miguel de Benavides, OP. The Colegio was later renamed as ‘Colegio de Santo Tomas” On November 20, 1645 Pope Innocent X elevated the college to the rank of a university and in 1680 it was placed under royal patronage. King Charles III of Spain granted it the title of “Royal University” in 1785. Pope Leo XIII made the University of Santo Tomas a “Pontifical University” on 1902 and in 1947, Pope Pius XII bestowed upon it the title of “The Catholic University of the Philippines”. Thus its complete name is The Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines. UST is now known as the only extant Pontifical University in the country and the oldest existing University in the Philippines and in Asia.
June 1611 – The arrival of the Order of Hospitaliers of St. John of God in Manila headed by Bro. Juan de Gamboa and Br. Luca de los Angeles. The Order administer numerous hospitals and centers in the country. One of it’s well known members was Bro. Apolinario de la Cruz, OH who was more popularly known as “Hermano Pule” who founded the syncretic “Cofradia de San Jose”.
1613 – The publication of the first Spanish-Tagalog dictionary entitled “Vocabulario de Lengua Tagala” by Fr. Pedro de San Buenaventura, OFM. This dictionary would be later instrumental on translating the famed Laguna Copper plate, an important artifact of Pre-Hispanic Philippines.
Blessed Takayama Ukon
December 11, 1614 – the arrival of Blessed Takayama Ukon, a daimyo and samurai in Japan in Manila along with other exiled Japanese Christians because of the raging persecution in that country.
Nuestra Señora del Carmen de San Sebastian
1618 – The arrival of the image of Nuestra Señora del Carmen de San Sebastian – the First image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in the Philippines. Due to the numerous miracles attributed to her intercession, the image received the honor of Canonical Coronation in August 18, 1991.
Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Intramuros, Manila
1620 – Colegio de San Juan de Letran was established by Don Juan Geronimo Guerrero, then known as “Colegio de Niños Huerfanos de San Juan de Letran”, to educate the orphans of Spanish soldiers to be good Christians. After it merged with the Colegio de San Pedro y San Pablo, it took it’s present name in 1706.
Ven. Mo. Jeronima de la Asuncion by Diego Velasquez
1621 – The arrival of Ven. Mo. Jeronima de la Asuncion, OSC in Bolinao and established the Real Monasterio de Santa Clara in Manila – The First Monastery for Women in the Philippines.
1621 – The establishment of San Sebastian Church and Convent with the main altar dedicated to Nuestra Señora del Carmen.
1622 – Fray Agustin de San Pedro, OAR was assigned to Mindanao for the missions and would establish a fort in Cagayan de Oro to protect the converted natives from the invading Moros and became the town’s warrior and protector earning him the title “El Padre Capitan”.
Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario de Cagayan de Oro
1626 – The fort for Cagayan de Oro was built and an image of Our Lady of the Rosary was enshrined and was called “Birhen sa Kotta”. It is said that the Virgin made an appearance to Moro invaders saying “Why are you harming my people.?”. The planned attack did not went through and later were converted.
Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje of Antipolo
March 25, 1626 – Governor General Juan Niño de Tabora brought to the country the image of the Immaculate Conception from Mexico which will later given the title “Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje” of Antipolo. The image would later accompany five galleons of the Manila – Acapulco Galleon Trade and miracles were attributed through her intercession. The image was canonically crowned in Manila on November 28, 1926.
October 24, 1632 – Colegio de Santa Isabel was established for orphans and later opened to Filipino meztizas.
1634 – Sor Martha de San Bernardo of Pampanga was invested with the habit of the Poor Clare nuns at sea boarding to Macau to establish a monastery there. Sor Martha became the first Filipina nun in history.
Nuestra Senora de la Salud
1634 – The arrival of the image of Nuestra Senora de la Salud in our country. The Black Virgin of Health would be instrumental for the end of the Second Chinese Revolt of 1639 when the government and church authorities pleaded for her help. On March 15, 1640, the revolt ended with the surrender of the rebels.
1636 – The investiture of Sor Madalena de la Concepcion of Pampanga and Sor Juana de San Antonio of Bataan (the first known Filipina woman writer) in Manila. Both made solemn vows the following year.
St. Martin de Porres
1637 – St. Martin de Porres was reported to have bilocated in the Philippines, particularly at Colegio de San Juan de Letran, attending to a sick friar in Intramuros. This event was witnessed and sworn by Don Juan Geronimo Guerrero and Diego de Santa Maria.
St. Lorenzo Ruiz and Companions by Rafael del Casal
September 29, 1637 – St. Lorenzo Ruiz, along with Rev. Fr. Antonio Gonzales, OP, Rev. Fr. Guillaume Courtet, OP, Rev. Fr. Miguel Aozaraza, OP (Missionary of Bataan), Rev. Fr. Vincente Shiwozuka de la Cruz, OP and Lazaro of Kyoto by the gallows and pit torture.
Servant of God Father Francesco Paliola, SJ
1643 – Servant of God Father Francesco Paliola, SJ, a priest from a prominent family in Naples, Italy, arrived in Manila and later assigned to Iligan on January 2, 1644, beginning a mission in Mindanao that would take him to Dipolog, Dapitan and the rest of the Zamboanga Peninsula, spreading the Catholic faith to the locals, including the Lumads. He ministered to the baptized as a loving pastor, so much so that even the non-Christians recognized him as saintly. He established settlements or reductions, to better catechize and serve the people. He was murdered by a group of apostates on January 29, 1648. In time for the Dipolog diocese’s Golden Jubilee, the local phase of the path towards the canonization of Father Palliola was closed on September 14, 2017.
The Victory of the Five Naval battles of La Naval de Manila in 1646
March 15 – October 4, 1646 – The Five Naval Battles of La Naval de Manila took place where the victory of the joint Spanish and FIlipino armada defeated the Dutch fleet were attributed to the intercession of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario in Intramuros. The Victory of the Five Naval Battles was declared a miracle through the Virgin of the Rosary on April 9, 1662 and ordered an annual festivity to commemorate these victories. The title “La Naval de Manila” was added to her name and she was later called as “La Gran Senora de Filipinas”. Pope St. John Paul II named the Santo Rosario as the “Queen and Protectress of the Philippines and the whole of Asia” and dedicated the Asian continent to the Virgin on February 18, 1981.
Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario de Iloilo
1646 – The discovery of the image of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario de Iloilo while excavations were being made to prepare trenches for the defense of the City against an invading Dutch squadron under the command of Admiral Spielberg. The discovery of this image so inspired the defenders under the leadership of Don Diego de Quiñones that they hurled back the invaders in the battle that ensued and won. Today, after surviving more than three centuries, this image is venerated in the parish church of San Jose, Iloilo. The image was Episcopally Crowned on October 11, 1970.
1650 – The establishment of the Confraternity of the Most Holy Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel based in San Sebastian Church that propagated the devotion to the Brown Scapular in the Philippines prior to the arrival of the two branches of the Carmelite Order three centuries later.
Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno of Old San Nicolas Church in Intramuros, Manila
1651 – The establishment of the Cofradia de Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno by the Augustinian Recollect Friars in the old San Nicolas Church in Intramuros, Manila. The Cofradia propagated the devotion to the Nazareno and were in charge of the Palm Sunday procession in the Walled City.
1659 – The Foundation of Beaterio de Bolinao, the first native beaterio in the country by Fray Juan de la Madre de Dios Blancas, OAR. It was unfortunately dissolved in 1679.
Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores
1662 – Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores arrived in the Philippines and sets his sight for a missionary work for Guam. After the approval of the mission from the Spanish Crown, he recruited laymen for the missionary work, one of them is St. Pedro Calungsod. Both Calungsod and Padre Diego was martyred on April 2, 1672. Padre Diego was beatified 1985.
Santo Nino de Ternate
1663 – The image of Santo Nino de Ternate was brought from Ternate, Moluccas by the Mardicas natives to Maragondon, Cavite where the Mardicas fled Ternate due to impending attacks of Chinese pirates. The place was later named Ternate and the devotion to Santo Nino de Ternate flourished. The feast of the Santo Nino de Ternate is celebrated every January 6.
Misa de Aguinaldo offered in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary
1668 – Rev. Fr. Francisco Ignacio Alcina, SJ first recorded the existence of the Misas de Aguinaldo (now morphed as “Simbang Gabi”) in his “Historia de las Islas e Indias de Bisayas” which was later corroborated by Rev. Fr. Pedro Murillo Velarde’s “Cursus Iuris Canonici Hispanici et Indici” printed in 1763 where he testifies the continuation of this tradition a century after. Fathers Vicente Salazar, Benito Corominas and Serapio Tamayo later wrote that the same tradition continued in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Misas de Aguinaldo were the “Rorate Caeli” Votive Masses in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary offered for 9 days before Christmas day for “preservation of the Catholic Faith in the Islands”. It was later ratified by the Philippine Catholic Bishops during the sessions of the First Plenary Council in 1953 and a special indult was granted by the Holy See in 1961 for five years. The permission was not revoked in light of circumstances of the Liturgical Changes by the Second Vatican Council. The practice continues up to this day with developments on it’s liturgy in the country.
1668 – The arrest and imprisonment of Sor Juana de San Antonio of Monasterio de Santa Clara for heresy by the Inquisition of Manila. The Monasterio no longer accepted natives until 1880.
Santa Rosa de Lima of the La Naval de Manila Procession
August 11, 1670 – Pope Clement X issued the Bull Sacrosancti Apostolatus Cura, confirming Pope Clement X’s declaration of then Blessed Rose of Lima as Patroness of Peru, and extending her patronage to the whole American continent, including the Philippines, and of the Indies. St. Rose of Lima was later canonized in 1671.
The Martyrdom of St. Pedro Calungsod and Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores
April 2, 1672 – The Martyrdom of St. Pedro Calungsod and Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores at the Marianas. Pedro Calungsod was beatified on March 5, 2000.
1675 – The ordination of the first two Filipino-Spanish mestizo priests: Fray Ignacio Mercado, OSA and Fray Nicolas de San Pedro del Castillo, OSA.
Venerable Mother Francisca de Fuentes del Espiritu Santo by Bro. Mervin Lomague, OP
1682 – Venerable Mother Francisca de Fuentes del Espiritu Santo, along with Antonia Ezguerra vda. de Fuentes de Jesus Maria and Sebastiana Salcedo de Jesus (an India Mystic from Pasig) began to live together as a community and other beatas joined and the Beaterio de Santa Catalina de Sena was officially inaugurated with Madre Francisca as the founding prioress. At present, the Beaterio became the Congregation of Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena and currently administer Siena College in Manila and Quezon City. Mother Francisca was declared Venerable on July 5, 2019.
Venerable Madre Ignacia del Espiritu Santo
1684 – Venerable Madre Ignacia del Espiritu Santo established the Beaterio de la Compania under the spiritual direction of the Jesuits and it wad inaugurated in 1703. The Beaterio was canonically erected as a Diocesan Congregation by Archbishop Jeremias Harty of Manila in 1906 and it’s constitution recieved Pontifical approval in 1948. The Beaterio became the first one to admit native beatas and would later became the Religious of the Virgin Mary and administer St. Mary’s College in different parts of the country. Mother Ignacia was declared Venerable in 2007.
Nuestra Senora de la Soledad de Porta Vaga
April 12, 1692 – The date where the image of Nuestra Senora de la Soledad de Porta Vaga was enthroned by Juan de Oliva to her altar at the old Ermita de Porta Vaga in Cavite. Since then, several miracles were reported once the image was enshrined. The image was later moved to her current shrine in San Roque Parish since the old Ermita de Porta Vaga was heavily damaged during the Second World War. The painting was Canonically Crowned on November 18, 2018 along with the elevation of San Roque Parish as the Diocesan shrine of Nuestra Senora de la Soledad de Porta Vaga and the formal declartion of the Virgin of Solitude as the Queen of Cavite Province.
1697 – The Royal order declares Filipino Indios to have “purity of blood” enabling their admission as regular members of Spanish religious congregations; this is not however observed in the country.
1698 – The founding of the Filipino Clergy by Archbishop Diego Camacho y Avila of the Archdiocese of Manila.
December 20, 1698 – The ordination of the first documented Indio priest, Don Francisco Baluyot of Guagua, Pampanga.
April 28, 1702 – The Royal and Conciliar San Carlos Seminary was established for the natives in accordance with the decrees of the Council of Trent.
1703 – Ordination of Don Blas de Santa Rosa of Pampanga who would later establish the Parish of San Policarpio in Cabuyao, Laguna – the First native priest to establish a parish.
“Ang Mahal na Pasion ni Jesukristong P. Natin na Tola”
March 25, 1703 – The Publication of the first edition of “Ang Mahal na Pasion ni Jesukristong P. Natin na Tola” by Don Gaspar Aquino de Belen with ecclesiastical approval based from original Spanish texts of Padre Thomas de Villacasten, SJ. In January 23, 1704 the Archbishop of Manila granted 40-day Indulgence for the recitation or singing of the Pasion.
Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia de Naga
1710 – The Carving and enthronement of the image of Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia de Naga. Because of the numerous miracles attributed to the Virgin’s intercession and her protection, in June 10, 1895, Pope Leo XIII declared Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia was proclaimed the “Patroness of the City of Nueva Caceres” (Naga City). The image of Ina was Canonically Crowned on September 20, 1924 – the Second Marian image in the country who received such honor.
1711 – The publication of “Vocabulario de la Lengua Bisaya” by Rev. Fr. Pedro Mateo Sanchez, SJ.
1717 – The arrival of the image of Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados de Manila (carved in 1713) from Valencia, Spain by Rev. Fr. Vicente Ingles, OFM.
Servants of God Dionisa de Santa Maria Talangpaz and Cecila Rosa de Jesus Talangpaz
1719 – Servants of God Dionisa de Santa Maria Talangpaz and Cecila Rosa de Jesus Talangpaz established the Beaterio de San Sebastian de Calumpang which now known as the Augustinian Recollect Sisters who administer St. Rita College and Colegio de Santa Rosa.
Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados de Manila – La Gobernador de Manila holding the baston de mando of Archbishop and acting Governor General Francisco de la Cuesta, OSA
January 23, 1720 – Archbishop Francisco de la Cuesta, OSA, Archbishop of Manila and Interim Governor General of the Philippines offered his baston de mando to the image of Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados de Manila in thanksgiving of his release from prison after he was imprisoned by the assasinated Governor General Fernando Manuel de Bustillo Bustamante. The Virgin of the Abandoned of Santa Ana, Manila was acclaimed “La Gobernadora de Manila”. The image was canonically crowned on May 12, 1991.
1721 – Pope Innocent XIII decreed a Special Feast of the Santo Nino de Cebu to be set every Third Sunday of January. This feast would later be observed nationally as the “Feast of the Santo Nino”.
1738 – King Philip V of Spain opened the Colegio de San Juan de Letran and the University of Santo Tomas to Chinese and Tonkinese students, since China and Tonkin (now VIetnam) did not have Christian educational institutions at that time.
Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zamboanga
1734 – The placement of the bas relief image of Nuestra Señora del Pilar at Fort Pilar in Zamboanga City where she enjoyed much devotion from both Christians and Muslims in Zamboanga City. The Fort was later converted to a Shrine and numerous miracles were reported through her intercession. The Virgin on the facade was Canonically Crowned on October 12, 1960.
1740 – The foundation of the Beaterio de Santa Rosa de Pasig by Fray Felix de Trillo, OSA.
1750 – The foundation of the Beaterio de Sanra Rosa de Lima by Madre Paula de la Santisma Trinidad, a Dominican Tertiary, as a school for girls. The Beaterio would later became Colegio de Santa Rosa and it is currently administered by the Augustian Recollect Sisters.
St. Vicente Liem de la Paz
1753 – St. Vicente Liem de la Paz, A Vietnamese Christian, entered the Dominican order after completing his studies at Colegio de San Juan de Letran and later continued his studies at the University of Santo Tomas until he was ordained a priest in 1758. He returned to Vietnam to administer his people until he was martyred on November 7, 1773 by decapitation. He was canonized in 1988 by St. John Paul II. His alma mater, Colegio de San Juan de Letran chose him for it’s patron and his statue can be seen decked with the colegio’s uniform and displayed at the patio of Letran.
Nuestra Señora de Guia
August 9, 1758 – A Royal Decree issued by the King of Spain decreed that the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title “Nuestra Señora de Guia” as the “Sworn Patroness of Manila” by reason of the continual favors that she has lavished on it. A few centuries later, the image was Canonically Crowned on December 30, 1955.
1762 – 1763 – The British troops invaded the Philippines and occupied Manila and Cavite. Many Churches and convents were desecrated, pillaged and looted of valuable liturgical items, record books and jewels on sacred images in the process, one of them was the desecration of the image of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario – La Naval de Manila.
Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Manila
1763 – The end of the British invasion of the Philippines with a turn over ceremony took place at the plaza of Santa Cruz Church in Manila and it is also said that the image of Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Manila faced the plaza for this turn over.
1768 – The Expulsion of the Jesuits to their mission lands due to their suppression ordered by Pope Clement XIV and it was enforced in the Philippines in 1768. The Jesuits returned in 1859 when the society was restored by Pope Pius VII in 1814 and took over the Mindanao missions.
1778 – Rev. Fr. Manuel Blanco, OSA published the book “Flora de Filipinas”, a compendium of numerous herbs and flowers found in the Philippines, one of the first comprehensive scientific books on this topic.
1778 – 89 – The petition for the foundation of the Monasterio de Santa Rosa de Lima for Chinese mestizas by the Tuazon family. The petition was ultimately disapproved.
The original image of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno of Quiapo, Manila
1787 – The Traslacion of the second image of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno that is kept at the San Nicolas Church’s sacristy to St. John the Baptist Church in Quiapo, Manila upon the orders of Archbishop Basilio Sancho y Santas Justa y Rufina.
Nuestra Senora de los Dolores de Turumba
September 15, 1788 – The painting of Nuestra Senora de los Dolores de Turumba was found by a group of women at the lakeshore of Laguna de Bay after the fishermen found the image in their catch two days prior. The ladies went immediately to their parish priest and reported the strange happening. The priest immediately went to the site, together with his altar servers and the rest of the community singing the Litany of the Saints. Once the the priest got a hold of the image, the image was lifted lightly and the whole town jumped for joy, singing and dancing all the way back to the Church that marked the beginning of the “Turumba” dance tradition. A statue version of the image was commissioned for processions. The Lupi fiestas in honor of Nuestra Senora de los Dolores de Turumba became the longest Marian festival in the country that starts on Viernes de Dolores (Friday before Palm Sunday) and ends on Sunday nearest to September 15.
Rev. Fr. Pedro Pelaez
June 29, 1812 – The Birth of Rev. Fr. Pedro Pelaez, an insular secular priest who became the diocesan administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila. He advocated for rights of the native secular priest to manage the growing number of parishes in the country. His life ended abruptly when he was trapped in the Cathedral during the earthquake of 1863.
The Bamboo Organ of the Parish and Diocesan Shrine of St. Joseph, Las Pinas City
1816 – 1824 – Rev. Fr. Diego Cera de la Virgen del Carmen, OAR constructed the famed Bamboo Organ at St. Joseph Parish (now a Diocesan Shrine) in Las Piñas City.
St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon
1837, 1841-1842 – St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon visited the Philippines and stayed in Manila and in Lolomboy, Bocaue, Bulacan while he was studying for the priesthood. He was ordained in 1844 making him the first Korean priest and was martyred in Korea in 1846. He was canonized along with 102 Korean Martyrs in 1984. He became the Secondary Patron Saint of Lolomboy, Bulacan in 1986 and the parish became the Diocesan Shrine of St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon on January 30, 2021.
February 6, 1848 – The birth of Narcelo Adonay, the “Palestrina of the Philippines”, a known composer and the primer tiple of San Agustin Church. Some of his works were Pequeña Misa Solemne and Libera Me, Domine.
1850 – The Beaterio de Santa Catalina becomes the first religious community for women to establish a mission house in Mainland China with two Filipina beatas Sor Ana Mateo del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus and Sor Pascuala Biron del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus.
1855 – The publication of “Diario de María”, by Fray Raymundo Lozano Mejía, OSA, parish priest of San Miguel, Iloilo and republished it in 1865 later as “Mes de María” for the May flower devotions which he called “Flores ni María Santísima”.
December 10, 1859 – The establishment of Escuela Municipal de Manila which will renamed as “Ateneo Municipal de Manila” and later as “Ateneo de Manila University” by the Jesuits.
The image of Sagrado Corazon de Jesus of Old San Ignacio Church, Intramuros, Manila
1856 – The Jesuits of Intramuros introduced the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and in 1872, the Apostleship of Prayer was established to further propagate the devotion the Sacred Heart.
1862 – The Arrival of the Daughters of Charity in the Philippines.
1862 – The arrival of the Congregation of the Mission of St. Vincent de Paul, more popularly known as the Vincentians or “Padre Paules” where they opened seminaries for the natives and propagated the devotion to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.
1865 – Padre Federico Faura established the Manila Meteorological Observatory which was meant to forewarn the people about the arrival of typhoons and later earthquakes in 1880. In 1884, a royal decree was issued formally recognizing the Manila Observatory as the official Philippine institution for weather forecasting.
The image of Nuestra Senora de las Flores of Bulakan, Bulacan is considered as the first commissioned image of Virgen de las Flores in the country
1867 – Rev. Fr. Mariano Sevilla of the Parish (now Diocesan Shrine) of Our Lady of the Assumption in Bulakan, Bulacan published the “Flores de Maria o Marikit na Bulaklak na sa pagninilaynilay sa boong buwan nang Mayo ay inihahandog nang mga deboto kay Maria Santisima” and became the standard for the Flores de Mayo traditions in Luzon.
St. Ezekiel Moreno
February 10, 1870 – St. Ezekiel Moreno arrived in the Philippines to complete his theological studies and was ordained at the Manila Cathedral on June 2, 1871. He then administer the missions in the country from 1873 – 1886 in Calapan, (Mindoro), Puerto Princesa, Palawan; Las Piñas; Santo Tomas, Batangas; Intramuros and Santa Cruz in Manila and Imus, Cavite. He was then sent to Colombia was consecrated as a bishop in 1894. He died of cancer of nasopharynx on August 19, 1906 and was canonized on October 11, 1992.
1878 – The founding of the Congregacion de Hermanitas de la Madre de Dios by Fr. Fernando de la Canal, CM in Cebu and it was inaugurated in 1880. The Hermanitas would later be incorporated to the Daughters of Charity in 1895.
Blessed Jose Maria de Manila
September 5, 1880 – Eugenio Saz-Orosco was born in Manila from Señor Don Eugenio Saz-Orozco (the last Mayor of Manila under the Spanish rule) and Doña Feliza Mortera Camacho. He recieved the habit of the Franciscan Capuchins on October 2, 1904 and took the name “Fray Jose Maria de Manila” because he wanted to administer to the people of the Philippines who are struggling with the Catholic faith in the aftermath of the Philippine Revolution. He was ordained a priest on November 30, 1910. Fray Jose Maria de Manila was later executed during the height of the Spanish Civil War on August 17, 1936 and was beatified in October 13, 2013.
The Fluvial Procession of El Divino Rostro and of Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia de Naga
1882 – Bishop Casimiro Herrero invokes the intercession of the El Divino Rostro and of Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia de Naga against the deadly cholera epidemic and due to their miraculous intervention, the heirarchy of the Diocese of Nueva Caceres made a vow to celebrate together the Feast of El Divino Rostro and Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia de Naga.
Venerable Mother Consuelo Barcelo y Pages
1883 – The arrival of the Augustinian Beatas of Barcelona to establish the Beaterio de Agustinas Tercieras de Ultramar founded by Mother Rita and Venerable Mother Consuelo Barcelo y Pages. The beaterio would later be known as the Augustinian Sisters of Our Lady of Consolation who administers La Consolacion College. Mother Consuelo was declared Venerable on June 18, 2002.
Sor Teresa de Jesus Andrada
1886 – The admission of Sor Teresa de Jesus Andrada (born Antonia Andrada y Avelino of Capiz) to the Beaterio de Agustinas Tercieras de Ultramar. Unwittingly, she would become instrumental to spark the Philippine Revolution when she learned that the brother of a ward of the Beaterio’s orpahange was a Katipunero and adviced that he confessed this outside the confessional to Padre Mariano Gil, Parish Priest of Tondo “to avoid so many deaths and destruction”. This would eventually led to the discovery of the Katipunan. During the Revulotion, the Beatas were spared because the Katipuneros respected them.
Basilica Minore de San Sebastian in Manila
1890 – Pope Leo XIII raises the Church of San Sebastian into a Minor Basilica – the First Minor Basilica in the Philippines with privileges and affinity with the Basilicas of St. Peter and St. John Lateran. The Basilica was completed in 1891 – the lone structure of such kind in the world and the first Minor Basilica in the Philippines.
1892 – The arrival of the Religious of the Assumption in Manila who administer Assumption College.
“Casaysayan nang Pasyong Mahal ni Jesucristong P. Natin” or “Pasion Genesis”
1894 – The publication of “Casaysayan nang Pasyong Mahal ni Jesucristong P. Natin” or “Pasion Genesis” with corrections made by Padre Mariano Pilapil, Rector of Colegio de San Jose of Intramuros which became the standard of the present day “Pasyon”.
The Rise of Nationalism and the Philippine Revolution
The time period from the 1870’s up to 1898, the rise of the nationalist movement was on the horizon with the Propaganda movement headed by the Illustrados Dr. Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. Del Pilar, Mariano Ponce, the brothers Antonio and Juan Luna among others and the movement reached it’s peak with the spark of the Philippine Revolution headed by Andres Bonifacio of the Kataastaasan, Kagalang-glangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan, more popularly known as the KKK and the execution of Dr. Jose Rizal 1896. The Philippine Catholic Church was in turmoil in this period with the Anti-Spanish sentiments that led to the closure of churches, schools and other charitable institutions and the merciless killing of priests and religious.
The Gomburza Priests – Rev. Fr. Mariano Gomes, Rev. Fr. Jose Burgos and Rev. Fr. Jacinto Zamora
February 17, 1872 – The Unjust execution of Rev. Fr. Mariano Gomes (Parish Priest of Bacoor, Cavite), Rev. Fr. Jose Burgos (Dean of the Manila Cathedral) and Rev. Fr. Jacinto Zamora (Parish Priest of Marikina) were executed in Bagumbayan. THey advocated for the promotion of the Filipino secular clergy and they were accused of provoking the Cavite mutiny (which the actual perpetrators were captured and were sent to Guam in exile). Church bells in Manila were rung at the time of their execution under the orders of Archbishop Meliton Martinez – an ally of the movement for Filipino secular priests.
April 1886 – The arrival of the Order of the Franciscan Capuchins in the country with the intention to establish missions in Carolie and Palau Islands. The Order helped on preventing the further spread of the Aglipayan Schism and propagated the devotion to Nuestra Señora de Lourdes.
September 12, 1895 – The monks of the Order of St. Benedict arrived in the country from the Benedictine Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat in the Cataluña region of Spain primarily to undertake agricultural and missionary work in Surigao in Mindanao and later in Manila.
August 23, 1896 – The Philippine Revolution began.
1896 – 1898 – The Beatas of the Beaterio de la Compania would later play a role in the Philippine revolution where they began to serve in the Red Cross under the First Philippine Republic.
Blessed Buenaventura Garcia Paredes
1898 – Blessed Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, OP was sent to the Philippines to complete his studies and later began to teach at the University of Santo Tomas and director of “Libertas” – The Catholic newspaper edited by the University. He would later become the Prior Provincial of the Province of the Holy Rosary Province in the Philippines and it was during his time that the then new UST Campus in Sulucan, Sampaloc, Manila (the current site of the University) was being established. He became the Master General of the Order in 1926 and was martyred in Spain during the Spanish Civil War on August 12, 1936. He was beatified, along with 498 Martyrs of the Spanish Civil war by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in 2007. The Thomasian Alumni Center Building was named after him in his honor.
March 23, 1897 – President Emilio Aguinaldo took his oath as President of the Philippine Revolutionary Government in convent of the Holy Cross Parish in Tanza, Cavite.
June 12, 1898 – General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the Philippine Independence from Spain in Kawit, Cavite.
1899 – the First Philippine Republic and the famed Malolos Constitution was established at Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan.
The American Colonizationand the Philippine Commonwealth Era
After the Philippine Revolution and the declaration of Philippine Independence, most of the generals of the revolt thought that the Americans were allies because of their support for the revolt. However, with the Treaty of Paris in 1989 where Spain sold the country to the United States, a new and emerging superpower conquered the Philippines under the guise of “Benevolent Assimilation” and spread further hatred to the Spaniards, especially to the Friars the “Black Legend” that demonizes and downplay thier legacy. With this “assimilation”, Protestantism entered the country and numerous local breakaway sects also sprung during this time: The Iglesia Filipina Independiente or more popularly known as the Aglipayans and Iglesia ni Kristo of Felix Manalo.
The Church, now under the leadership of American bishops and later Filipino clergy countered this by inviting other religious orders and congregations which helped on preserving the Catholic faith in the islands.
Nuestra Senora de los Desamparados de Bacacay
1901 – A reported Marian apparition to the Aetas of Bacacay, Albay took place. An image of the Virgin based from the vision was made and numerous miracles were reported through her intercession and the apparition site became on of the most cherished sites in Bicolandia where the Mother of God graced her presence to the Aetas of the region. As of this writing, public veneration to the Virgin under the title Nuestra Senora de los Desamparados de Bacacay and pilgrimages to the apparition site is permitted and it is said that the events were given a positive sanction and allowing public devotion and veneration of the Virgin under this title by Bishop Lucilo Quiambao in 2007.
San Beda University in Mediola, Manila
June 17, 1901 – San Beda University opened in 1901 as “El Colegio de San Beda” in Manila administered by the Benedictine Monks and gained the status as a University in 2018.
September 17, 1902 – Pope Leo XIII issued the bull Quae Mari Sinico where he provided instructions on how the Philippine Catholic Church may proceed with the 20th century, particularly on the erection of seminaries, strengthening the missions and the role of Catholic schools.
1904 – The arrival of the Sisters of St. Paul Chartres where the sisters focused on ministering the poor thru caring for the sick, teaching and providing catechesis.
Blessed Ireneo Rodriguez Gonzales, CM
1904 – The arrival of Blessed Ireneo Rodriguez Gonzales, CM to the Philippines to minister the Vincentian missions and seminaries in Manila, Cebu, Naga and Laguna. Fr. Ireneo later returned to Spain where he met his martyrdom on December 6, 1936. He was beatified along with Bl. Jose Maria de Manila and other Martyrs of Spanish Civil War.
June 30, 1904 – The arrival of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, more popularly known as the Redemptorists in the Philippines, the missionaries helped counter the effects of Protestantism and Aglipayanism. The Congregation introduced the devotion to Our Mother of Perpetual Help.
The original icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help of Baclaran
1906 – The Redemptorists Fathers brought a German copy of the icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help to the Philippines and it was first enshrined in Malate Church then later moved to Baclaran in 1932. The icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help became a focal point of devotion and Wednesdays became the day of national devotion to the Virgin of Baclaran.
1906 – The arrival of St. Joseph’s Mission Society of May Hill where they helped on countering the spread of Protestantism and Aglipayanism.
Bishop Jorge Barlin
June 29, 1906 – Bishop Jorge Barlin was consecrated as the First Filipino Bishop and was assigned to the Archdiocese of Nueva Caceres.
September 14, 1906 – The arrival of the Benedictine Sisters who would later establish St. Scholastica’s College.
1907 – The arrival of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CICM) from Belgium and took over the administration several parishes that were left vacant after the revolution and the established numerous schools.
The Canonical Coronation of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario – La Naval de Manila
October 5, 1907 – The Canonical Coronation of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario – La Naval de Manila at Plaza Magallanes, Intramuros, Manila – the First Canonical Coronation held in the Philippines.
December 12, 1908 – The arrival of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in Surigao Province and helped on combating Protestantism and Aglipayanism. The Missionaries introduced the devotion to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.
August 15, 1909 – The arrival of the Society of the Divine Word who administer the faithful of Abra, Benguet and the rest of the country.
April 2, 1910 – Bishop Juan Gorordo became the First Filipino Bishop of Cebu.
De La Salle University in Manila
June 16, 1911 – The Establishment of the De La Salle University in Manila by the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools who arrived in our country that same year.
August 26, 1915 – The arrival of the Oblates of St. Joseph in the Diocese of Lipa (now an Archdiocese) where the Oblates helped on providing holy and dedicated religious priests and brothers and further propagation of devotion to St. Joseph.
Servant of God Bishop Alfredo Verzosa
September 6, 1916 – Pope Benedict XV named Servant of God Bishop Alfredo Verzosa as the second Bishop of Lipa – the first Ilocano to become a bishop. He was also known as the great builder. Bishop Verzosa was untiring and diligent in his efforts to propagate the faith. During the years 1917 – 1951, he had opened several catechetical centers, established schools, built churches, seminaries, and convents. He founded the Missionary Catechists of the Sacred Heart, together with Sister Laura Mendoza, a widow and catechist, a congregation whose main apostolate is catechesis and the education of the youth in 1923. He died on June 27, 1954 cause for sainthood was opened in 2013 and in 2015, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints granted Nihil Obstat on his cause for sainthood.
Venerable Mother Rosario Arroyo de la Visitacion, OP
July 24, 1925 – The formal permit from the Holy See to establish the Congregation of Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary, more popularly known as “Beaterio del Santisimo Rosario de Molo”, was granted after Archbishop James McCloskey, DD, Archbishop of Jaro, made a request to establish a Dominican convent in his diocese. The bishop then requested to have Venerable Mother Rosario Arroyo de la Visitacion, OP to lead the newly established Beaterio. The Beaterio would later become the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines. Mother Rosario, or “Madre Sayong” was declared Venerable on June 12, 2019.
Adamson University
1932 – Adamson University was founded by Dr. George Lucas Adamson, a Greek chemist as the Adamson School of Industrial Chemistry. It became a university in 1941 and in 1964, the Congregation of the Mission, or the Vincentians, became the administrators up to this day.
1935 – 1945 – The Commonwealth Era began with a 10 year transitional period in Philippine history in preparation for independence from the United States as provided for under the Philippine Independence Act or more popularly known as the Tydings-McDuffie Law.
July 7, 1935 – The Society of St. Paul started its mission in the Philippines with the arrival of two Italian Pauline priests, Fr. Gaetano Marco Grossi and Fr. Matteo Bernardo Borgogno in Lipa, Batangas became known for it’s multimedia apostolate by utilizing different mediums of communication. The Society was also known for it’s famous St. Paul’s Books and religious store that can be found all over the country.
The Bendictine Martyrs of El Pueyo who were once administer at San Beda University in Manila.
1936 – The Martyrdom of the Benedictines of El Pueyo. Three of them administered the Philippines namely Blessed Eugenio Ma. Erausquin, person in charge of the Abbey’s printing press, Blessed Santiago Pardo Lopez and Blessed Domingo Caballe Bru, professors at San Beda University. The group were beatified in 2013.
St. Maximilian Kolbe
May 30, 1936 – St. Maximilian Kolbe, Founder of the Militia Immaculata and Martyr of the Second World War made his stop-over in the Philippines travelling from Japan to Poland and celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at the Benedictine Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat in Mendiola, Manila.
October 13, 1938 – The Daughters of St. Paul arrived in Lipa City, Batangas. The Philippine foundation has branched out to nearby countries of Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and Thailand, and has come to be called the Philippines-Malaysia-Papua New Guinea-Thailand Province. The Congregation is well known for it’s multimedia evangelization by utilizing different mediums of communication.
The Eucharistic Procession of the 33rd International Eucharistic Congress
February 3, 1937 – The 33rd International Eucharistic Congress was held in Manila attended by different delegates from different Catholic nations in the world.
St. Faustina Kowalska
February 7, 1937 – St. Faustina Kowalska reported in her diary her bilocation to the Philippines during the 33rd International Eucharistic Congress in Manila where she received the Papal Blessing for all participants of the International Eucharistic Congress in Manila without leaving her cell in Poland.
Our Lady of Guadalupe of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Makati City
July 16, 1935 – Declaration of Our Lady of Guadalupe as the “Heavenly Patroness of the Philippines”. On November 13, 2001, the celebration of the Feast of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe in the Philippines was declared an Obligatory Memorial. On September 8, 2002, Bishop Socrates Villegas, DD declared the Virgin of Guadalupe as Pro-life Patroness in response to the issues on human reproduction and mortality in the country.
The Japanese Occupation
On December 8, 1941, the Second World War erupted in our country when the Japanese troops reached our territory. Many lives were taken thru systematic murder and many churches were destroyed. The Japanese did try to woo the Filipinos to cooperate with them yet they wanted the country to be part of “Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere”. One of the attempts that the Japanese forces was to win them over thru religion realizing the impact of the Catholic Church in the country that they brought with them Japanese Catholic priests and religious and used Blessed Takayama Ukon for this purpose yet they refrained on mentioning the Catholic persecution period in Japanese history, but the Filipinos were not swayed because they would remember the martyrdom of St. Pedro Bautista and other missionaries. However, their mistake was the brutal treatment of the citiznery making those attempts failed and it ended with the liberation of the country and the defeat of the Japanese forces in 1945.
1941 – Santo Domingo Church of Intramuros, Manila was bombed. Fortunately, the venerable image of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario – La Naval de Manila was spared along with other images, important documents and artifacts and was later transferred at Santisimo Rosario Parish, located within University of Santo Tomas grounds.
Rev. Fr. James Edward Haggerty, SJ
1941 – Rev. Fr. James Edward Haggerty, SJ was the Rector of Ateneo de Cagayan in Cagayan de Oro when the War broke out. He joined the Mindanao Guerillas and later became a key figure in the vast guerrilla movement in Mindanao which earned him the nickname “Guerilla Padre”.
Bishop Yoshiguro Cardinal Taguchi
1942 – Bishop Yoshiguro Cardinal Taguchi, Bishop of Osaka, was sent to the Philippines in 1942 to head the Catholic unit of the Japanese Military Administration’s Religious Section in an attempt to convince the Filipinos to cooperate and sympathize with the Japanese.
Japanese “Friendship Mass” at Santa Cruz, Manila
January 11, 1942 – A Japanese priest, Fr. Tukamuto, presided over a friendship Mass at Santa Cruz Church as part of the Japanese propaganda corps drive to win the Filipinos over through religion. The following Sunday, Japanese priests conducted services throughout Manila, including one in Manila Cathedral.
La Inmaculada Concepcion of Manila Metropolitan Cathedral
September 12, 1942 – The Declaration of the Immaculate Conception as the “Principal Patroness of the Philippines” with St. Rose of Lima and St. Pudentiana (Santa Potenciana) as the country’s Secondary Patroness.
1943 – The arrival of the The Catholic Women’s Religious Corps (CWRC) where their main duty in the Philippines was to teach Japanese language and culture. All the members of CWRC were sent to Catholic schools around Manila in addition to attending socio-cultural events that aim to link Japanese and Philippine cultures yet their efforts failed and repatriated in 1944.
Venerable Bishop Alfredo Ma. Obviar
March 11, 1944 – Venerable Bishop Alfredo Ma. Obviar was appointed as the first Auxiliary Bishop of Lipa and later became the first bishop of the Diocese of Lucena in 1969. Motivated by his great work for catechesis, he founded the Missionary Catechists of St. Therese (MCST) on August 12, 1958. He died on October 1, 1978 and was declared Venerable on November 7, 2018.
1945 – The Liberation of the Philippines from the Japanese forces with the return of the American troops headed by General Douglas McArthur and President Sergio Osmena.
The Rise of a Free Republic
After the onslaught of the Second World War, the Philippines was one of the most severely damaged by the War. During these trying times, the Filipinos were doing it’s best to rise up again and the Church was once again helping the nation to rise up from the ashes.
February 15, 1945 – Filipino Bishops established the Catholic Welfare Organization was established with Archbishop Gabriel Reyes as its Chairman where the bishops are aiming for a unified coordination for the Filipino faithful after the devastation of the Second World War. With the organization’s efficiency, bishops wanted to further utilize the organization for different social and spiritual issues. The CWO’s constitution was approved by Pope Pius XII in June 28, 1952. Sixteen years later, it was renamed as the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines.
July 4, 1946 – The United States formally granted the Philippines full independence.
May 13, 1946 – The first novena in honor of Our Mother of Perpetual Help was held at St. Clement Parish in Iloilo City led by Rev. Fr. Patrick Nulty. The novena was then introduced in Lipa, Batangas on June 13, 1947 and in Baclaran on June 23, 1948.
1947 – The arrival of the Discalced Carmelite Friars in the country.
Our Lady, Mary Mediatrix of All Grace of Lipa, Batangas
September 12, 1948 – November 21, 1948 – The reported alleged apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to a Discalced Carmelite Postulant Sis. Teresita Castillo took place. The apparition allegedly emphasized the importance of the Rosary, importance of prayer for priests and nuns, the First Saturday devotion to the Immaculate Heart, and predicted some events in Philippine History from Martial Law, persecutions from other so-called Christian sects, and China’s ambition to conquer the world. On this apparition, the Virgin identified herself: “I am Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace”. A few days later, the famous shower of roses took place within and outside the convent, even on windy and rainy seasons and it always fell in the convent grounds. Images were later seen in the petals and cures are attributed to them. The apparition received a negative verdict in 1951 and was confirmed in 2016 and classified as Non constat de supernaturalitate. However, Public veneration of the Virgin under this title is still permitted, yet has to be disassociated to the alleged events by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines on July 9, 2016.
Nuestra Senora de Barangay
1949 – The “Barangay Sang Birhen” movement was established by Mayor Antonio Gaston in Cadiz, Negros Oriental to propagating the message of the Blessed Virgin in Fatima, Portugal and renewal of the Catholic faith in his locality. The image of Nuestra Senora de Barangay was painted by Crisogono Domingo, a leper, that became the image of the association. The image was blessed by Bishop Emmanuel Yap, D.D. in October 16, 1954.
Archbishop Gabriel M. Reyes
October 14, 1949 – The installation of Archbishop Gabriel M. Reyes as the First Filipino Archbishop of Manila.
April 9, 1951 – Formal establishment of Philippine-Vatican diplomatic relations with Archbishop William Piani, DD as the first Papal Nuncio to the Philippines.
1951 – The arrival of the Salesians of Don Bosco where they focused in the education and spiritual guidance of poor children in their different mission centers in the country.
Santo Cristo del Perdon and Virgen de los Remedios de Pampanga
1952 – Bishop Cesar Ma. Guerrero, Biahop of the Diocese of San Fernando, Pampanga (now an Archdiocese) inaugurated the Crusade of Penance and Charity in Pampanga to combat communism and socialism that was prevalent in the province under the Patronage of Virgen de los Remedios. The Virgin would tour around the province to rekindle the Catholic faith in the province and it became a success. The Indu of Kapampangans was later Canonically Crowned on September 8, 1956.
January 7 – 25, 1953 – The First Plenary Council of the Philippines was held in Intramuros, Manila to address the concerns of the Church after the Second World War.
October 1, 1953 – Archbishop of Manila Rufino Cardinal Santos established Catholic Charities, which will be later be known as Caritas Manila, as a social welfare program “for uplifting the spirit and soul of the unfortunate members of our community, to assist them in all their needs, and to bring the help of God in their miseries and distress.”
Servant of God Bishop Teofilo Camomot
March 25, 1955 – Servant of God Bishop Teofilo Camomot was appointed auxiliary bishop of Jaro, Iloilo and later to the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro in 1959. Due to kidney problems, he had to resign his position as coadjutor archbishop in 1970. He came back to Cebu and was assigned in Santo Tomás de Villanueva Parish in Barangay El Pardo, Cebu City. Bishop Camomot would kept himself busy by visiting the poor especially those who are sick and later established the Daughters of St. Teresa in 1960. Bishop Camomot died by a freak accident on September 27, 1988 and his cause for sainthood was introduced in 2010, with the approval of the Holy See.
August 15, 1957 – The arrival of Congregation of the Most Blessed Sacrament, known as the Sacramentinos, in Manila upon the request of Archbishop Rufino Cardinal Santos and took over the administration of Sta. Cruz Church in Manila. The Sacramentinos are known to foster great devotion to Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.
March 16, 1958 – The arrival of the Order of Carmelites of the Ancient Observance in Negros Occidental. On July 16, 2013, the Filipino Carmelites (OCarm) would establish the Carmelite Province of Bl. Titus Brandsma.
1960s – Rev. Fr. Eduardo Hontiveros, SJ, along with Rev. Fr. Tim Ofrasio began the composition of liturgical music in the vernacular language which can still be heard today.
Archbishop Rufino Cardinal Santos
March 28, 1960 – Archbishop Rufino Cardinal Santos became the First Filipino Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church.
1964 – Opus Dei began its apostolic work which was initiated by two Filipino members who were economists Bernie Villegas and Jesus Estanislao.
Venerable Fulton Sheen in his visit in Cebu
1965 – The visit of Venerable Fulton Sheen, a renowned American bishop and televangelist, to the Philippines as part of the Fourth Centenary of Christianization in the Philippines.
The Canonical Coronation of the image of Santo Niño de Cebu
April 28, 1965 – The Canonical Coronation of the image of Santo Niño de Cebu in celebration of the Fourth Centenary of Christianity in the Philippines. The image of the Santo Niño de Cebu is by far the only image of the Child Jesus in the country with such honor. The Church of the Santo Nino was also declared as Minor Basilica and Pope St. Paul VI recognizes the role of the Basilica of Cebu as “Mater et Caput omnium ecclesiarum Insularum Philippinarum” (Mother and Head of All Churches in the Philippines).
Our Lady of Cabra
December 6, 1966 – March 25, 1972 – The reported alleged apparitions of the Blessed Mother to Belinda Villas (the main seer), Mercilita Cajayon, Dalisay Tameta, Edna Villas, Matilda Somintac, Mindadelia Tulaylay, Erlinda Villas and Gloria Tulaylay at Cabra Island, Occidental Mindoro. As of this writing, no definitive decision was given and the Cabra events are being reconsidered for re-opening its investigation.
Radyo Veritas 846 logo
April 11, 1969 – The Catholic radio station “Radyo Veritas” was established.
The Dark times of Martial Law
On September 21, 1972, President Ferdinand Marcos placed the Philppines under Martial Law which aims to prevent the sprad of communism in the country. However, what actually happened was quite opposite, it became a measure of militart abuse, corruption and 21 year dictatorship that killed numerous politicians, activists, students, priests and religious – a very dark time in the Modern Philippine history. The Church at this period became a solace of the marginalized and later would play a role on opposing the abuses of regime that would culminate in EDSA People Power Revolution of 1986.
Pope St. Paul VI in Manila
November 27 – 29, 1970 – Pope St. Paul VI visited the Philippines – the First ever Pontiff to visit in the country
Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin
March 19, 1974 – Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin was installed as Archbishop of Manila. Cardinal Sin established “Caritas Manila” and he was instrumental in the historic and peaceful 1986 People Power Revolution, which toppled the dictatorship and ended Martial law under Ferdinand Marcos and installed Corazon Aquino as President of the Republic of the Philippines. Cardinal Sin died on June 21, 2005 and a state funeral was accorded to him in recognition of his role on restoring democracy in the country.
Santo Niño de Malolos
1975 – The Santo Niño de Malolos Foundation, Inc. was established to propagate the devotion to the Santo Niño de Malolos by holding the annual Santo Niño Exhibit – a first of its kind the country and procession along with charity works. The devotion to the Santo Niño de Malolos became widespread and became the center of the Santo Niño devotion in Central Luzon.
St. Teresa of Calcutta
1976 – 1995 – St. Teresa of Calcutta, Foundress of the Missionaries of Charity made several visits to the Philippines on different occasions.
1979 – The television show “Sharing in the City” hosted by Rev. Fr. Erasmo “Sonny” Ramirez, OP, one of the pioneering Catholic televangelists in the country, made it’s television debut on RPN Channel 9. The show ended in 2007.
The image of Santisimo Nombre de Jesus of the Congregacion del Santisimo Nombre de Jesus
October 27, 1979 – The establishment of the Congregacion del Santisimo Nombre de Jesus which hosted the annual Santo Niño exhibit and Grand Procession at Roxas Boulevard in Manila held every Last Sunday of January.
Nuestra Senora de la Inmaculada Concepcion – Mater Purisima – the Festejada image of the annual Grand Marian Procession in Intramuros, Manila
December 1980 – The Cofradia de la Inmaculada Concepcion, Inc. held its first annual Grand Marian Procession in Intramuros, Manila featuring different images of the Blessed Virgin Mary from private individuals and shrines from all over the country. The annual procession, held every first Sunday of December, became one of the biggest Marian festival in the country in honor of the Immaculate Conception – The Principal Patroness of the Philippines.
St. John Paul II with the image of Nuestra Senora del Santisimo Rosario – La Naval de Manila
February 17 – 22, 1981 – Pope St. John Paul II made his first Papal Visit in the Philippines on a tour in Manila, Quezon City, Cebu, Iloilo, Camarines Sur, Davao, Baguio and Bataan.
The beatification of St. Lorenzo Ruiz and companions at Luneta, Manila
February 18,1981 – Pope St. John Paul II beatified St. Lorenzo Ruiz and companion martyrs in Manila, the First beatification rite held outside Rome.
The Canonical Coronation of Nuestra Senora de Candelaria de Jaro by Pope St. John Paul II
February 21, 1981 – Pope St. John Paul II officiated and personally performed the act of Canonical Coronation of Nuestra Senora de Candelaria de Jaro of Jaro Cathedral, Iloilo making her the lone venerated Marian image in the country Canonically Crowned by a Pontiff in person. The Virgin of Jaro was also proclaimed as the “Patroness of Western Visayas”.
1984 – The El Shaddai Charismatic Movement was established by Bro. Mike Velarde and it became one of the most influential Catholic movements of its time.
National Pilgrim Image of Our Lady of Fatima
1984 – The arrival of the National Pilgrim Image of Our Lady of Fatima in the Philippines which was blessed by St. Paul VI and Servant of God Sister Lucia of Fatima. The National Pilgrim Image became one of the most prominent figures during the People Power revolution of 1986 and she became the forefront of the most renown unbloody Popular Revolution. The image received the honor of Episcopal Coronation on May 13, 2017 – the Centenary of the Fatima Apparitions.
The Coronation of the International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima during the Marian Year of 1985
1985 – The Catholic Bishop’s Conference declared a Marian Year in honor of the 2000th Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary (the only nation to do so) and to ask for her help through prayer and fasting to grant peace for the country which is under Martial Law.
Screen grab from one of the television spots for “The 3 O’Clock Prayer Habit”
June 16, 1985 – Through the efforts of Don Emil Castro, a television broadcaster, Msgr. Josefino Ramirez and the Divine Mercy prayer groups from all over the country formally launched “The 3 O’Clock Prayer Habit”, a television spot where the now famous Three O’Clock prayer is aired in all television stations nationwide that helped propagate the devotion to the Divine Mercy. The campaign was a triumphant success for this became an integral part of Filipino daily prayer habit and it is said that numerous conversions, miracles were reported and lukewarm Catholics became fervent all because of this simple prayer habit.
The EDSA People Power of 1986
February 22 – 25, 1986 – Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin calls for People Power that was held in EDSA that ended the 21 year Marcos dictatorship and Mrs. Corazon Aquino, wife of the assassinated opposition figure Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, became the First Woman President of the Philippines.
The Post People Power Era
Once Democracy was restored in 1986, the nation was starting all over again to face the challenges of the times. It is here that the faith was once again reinvigorated and some key events in modern history took place at these times.
“Immaculate Queen of Heaven and Earth”
1987 – 1993 – The reported alleged apparitions of the Blessed Mother to Judiel Nieva in Agoo, La Union and introduced herself as“Immaculate Queen of Heaven and Earth”. The alleged apparition gave numerous messages to the seer accompanied by some “miracles” from transformation of Sacred Host to a piece of human flesh, images of the Virgin Mary “weeping” tears of blood and a dancing sun. In 1993, a theological commission was established by Bishop Salvador Lazo that condemned the events as Constat de Non Supernaturalitate (clearly evident to be not supernatural) due to fraud and found that the alleged supernatural events were simulated. The decision was affirmed in 1995.
The visit of Blessed Alvaro Portillo of Opus Dei at the Minor Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, New Manila, Quezon City
January 21 – February 1, 1987 – The visit of Blessed Alvaro Portillo of Opus Dei in the Philippines. He made stops to different Marian Shrines and Opus Dei centers in the country and gave the image of Stella Orientis to the chapel of University of Asia and the Pacific in Mandaluyong City.
March 7, 1987 – The weekly television show “Family Rosary Crusade” of the Congregation of the Holy Cross made it’s television debut on ABS-CBN Channel 2. The program was known for the propagation of the pious practice of daily Family Rosary. The program is known for delivering the slogan of Venerable Partrick Peyton: “The Family that prays together, stays together.”
The Canonization of St. Lorenzo Ruiz and Companions in Rome
October 18, 1987 – The Canonization of St. Lorenzo Ruiz and Companions at St. Peter’s Square in Rome.
1989 – The arrival of the Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate from Italy who would focus on spiritual direction of the people thru publication of books and apostolic work.
January 20 – February 17, 1991 – The Second Plenary Council of the Philippines was held to address the challenges of modern times and how the Church can move forward with the reforms of the Second Vatican Council.
Mother of Eucharist and Grace
August 15, 1991 – The beginning of the reported appearances of the Blessed Mother as “Mother of Eucharist and Grace” to Carmelo Cortez in Bulacan. No definitive decision was given as of this writing yet the Chapel of Mary, Mother of Eucharist and Grace was declared a Diocesan Shrine on December 12, 2006.
Pope St. John Paul II at the UST Grandstand for World Youth Day in 1995
January 15 – 20, 1995 – Pope St. John Paul II made his Second and final Papal Visit in the Philippines for the World Youth Day in Manila.
The New Millenium
As the Great Jubilee Year 2000 sets in, both the Church and the Nation faced more challenges in the ever changing pace of the world. It was in these times that modern technology was fast rising and fortunately, the Church was able to adapt and find ways to evangelize in these modern age.
2000, 2008, 2013, 2018 – The Philippine visit of the Pilgrim relics of St. Therese of the Child Jesus from her Basilica in Liseux, France.
The Second EDSA People Power of 2001
January 17 – 20, 2001 – The Second EDSA People Power took place this time at the Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace of EDSA to topple then President Joseph Estrada due to plunder. Then Vice President Gloria Macapagal – Arroyo was sworn to presidency making her the Second Woman President of the Philippines.
Cebu Catholic Television Network
December 17, 2002 – The launch of Cebu Catholic Television Network
January 25 – 26, 2003 – The 4th World Meeting of Families was held in Manila. Pope St. John Paul II was suppose to make his final visit to Manila but it was prevented to do so due to his long bout with Parkinson’s disease that cause his death in 2006.
Servant of God Darwin Ramos
2006 – Servant of God Darwin Ramos was admitted at the Tulay ng Kabataan Foundation and lived with children with special needs caused by different disabilities. He discovered the Catholic faith and was baptized on December 23, 2006. Despite of his painful condition, he uplifted the staff and the children at the Foundation by the way he lived with his illness with a smile and treating it as a “mission” from the Lord. Darwin died on Sunday, September 23, 2012 and his cause for sainthood was was formally opened on August 28, 2019.
TV Maria
2007 – TV Maria went on air
November 20 – 27, 2009 – 5th Asian Youth Day held in Imus, Cavite.
The Canonization of St. Pedro Calungsod
October 21, 2012 – The Canonization of St. Pedro Calungsod at St. Peter’s Square in Rome by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
October 16 – 18, 2013 – The First Philippine Conference on New Evangelization was held at the UST gymnasium.
Pope Francis venerating the image of Our Lady of Hope of Palo, Leyte
January 15 – 21, 2015 – Pope Francis made his Papal Visit in the Philippines in Manila and Palo, Leyte.
The Eucharistic Procession at the 51st International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu
January 24 – 31, 2016 – The 51st International Eucharistic Congress was held in Cebu.
January 3 – February 28, 2017 – The First Philippine visit of the relics of Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin – the Parents of St. Therese of the Child Jesus from St. Therese’s Basilica in Liseux, France.
January 16 – 20, 2017 – The 4th World Apostolic Congress of Mercy held in the Philippines.
The new image of Maria Auxilidora de los Cristianos de Marawi
May 23, 2017 – The Maute group attacked Marawi City where the rebel groups began destroying churches and shrines, including St. Mary’s Cathedral where they desecrated the image of Maria Auxilidora and other holy images in the Cathedral. What makes the situation more disturbing is that Rev. Fr. Teresito Suganob, MSP along with the cathedral staff were taken hostage. The city was liberated from terrorism on October 17, 2017, a few days after the Centenary of the last apparition of Our Lady of Fatima on October 13 of the same year and battle operations officially ended on October 23, 2017. A new image was later commissioned and was later enshrined at Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Pro-Cathedral Parish on May 5, 2018.
The Incorrupt heart relic of St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina
October 5 – 26, 2018 – The Philippine visit of the Incorrupt heart relic of St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina where millions of the faithful flocked the churches where the relic was exposed for veneration.
Nuestra Senora de la Soledad de Porta Vaga
November 24, 2018 – The image of Nuestra Senora de la Soledad de Porta Vaga was declared as National Cultural Treasure for it’s tangible and intangible heritage and cultural importance (i.e. devotions and festivities in her honor).
Rev. Fr. Gerardo Francisco Timoner III, OP
July 13, 2019 – Rev. Fr. Gerardo Francisco Timoner III, OP became the First Filipino and First Asian to became the Master of the Order of the Order of Preachers (Dominican Order), one of the major and influential religious orders in the Catholic Church and the 88th Successor of St. Dominic de Guzman
His Excellency Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle
December 8, 2019 – His Excellency Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle became the First Filipino Prefect of the Congregation of for the Evangelization of Peopless – an office in the Roman Curia.
December 15, 2019 – The first Papal Celebration of Simbang Gabi at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
Towards 500 Years and beyond
March 18, 2020 – The Healing Rosary for the World began it’s first Wednesday Weekly streaming at the Manila Cathedral and numerous shrines, parishes, prelates, congregations and orders participated to ask the intercession of Our Lady to end the COVID-19 pandemic.
May 1, 2020 – His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle was appointed as the First Filipino Cardinal-Bishop – a designation described as one of the highest-ranking princes of the Catholic Church.
Maria Santisima del Sagrario de Malaga
March 14, 2021 – The image of Maria Santisima del Sagrario of Malaga, carved by a Filipino Sculptor and Papal Awarde Willy Layug, was formally blessed in Malaga, Spain. The image is a gift of the Filipino faithful to Spanish Catholics in line with the celebration of the 500 Years of the Catholic Faith in the country.
March 14, 2021– Pope Francis offered Holy Mass for the celebration of the 500 Years of the Catholic Faith in the country with the Filipino community at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
April 14, 2021 – The National Historical Commission of the Philippines declared the Minor Basilica of Santo Niño de Cebu as National Cultural Treasure.
May 1, 2021 – The National Consecration of the Philippines to St. Joseph will be performed. The National Consecration is part of the celebrations of the 500 Years of the Catholic Faith in the country and the Year of St. Joseph that His Holiness Pope Francis declared in 2021.
A faith we cherish as a nation
For 500 Years, the Catholic Faith was embraced in our country and it became our own and played a major role in our history and nation building – for better and for worse. The Early Church Fathers like St. Augustine understood that God was speaking to his people through history and we see that in these key historical events in our nation, we should look at it as a way of God calling his people to himself. The Catholic faith became most embedded in Filipino culture and it continues to permeate values throughout Filipino society for centuries As we continue to move with the times, let us continue to ask Our Lord, Our Lady and Our Holy Men and Women for their help in this journey of faith as we now celebrate this great gift Our Lord gave to our nation.
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Photographs and Artworks:
Almadrones, Maurice Bravo, Julio Cruz, Dan Raphael Carreon, Ryan Figueroa, Jun Galera, Kharl Innocencio, Glenn Lomague, Mervin Philippine Daily Inquirer Malabanan, James Benedict Manila Cathedral Facebook page Maturan, Dennis National Shrine of Our Lady of the Abandoned, Manila National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, Valenzuela City National Shrine of St. Joseph, Mandaue, Cebu Naval, Wilfred Jason Santiago, Luciano Santo Nino de Ternate Parish, Ternate, Cavite
Pintakasi 