La Gran Señora de Filipinas

Bienvenida a la Virgen: The Virgin of La Naval de Manila’s homecoming to Intramuros – An eyewitness testimony

Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario – La Naval de Manila in her homecoming procession in Intramuros, Manila

Who would’ve though that this would happen in our lifetime.

After almost eighty years since the Second World War, the original image of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario – La Naval de Manila comes home to Intramuros, Manila for a special occasion – the Quadricentennial Celebrations (400th founding anniversary) of Colegio de San Juan de Letran. This visit is one of a kind because it is one of the rare instances that the Santo Rosario (as she was originally called) goes outside of her shrine in Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City apart from her annual fiesta procession. The last time that the Virgin went outside of her shrine and jurisdiction took place in 2011 at the University of Santo Tomas in España Boulevard, Sampaloc, Manila for its Quadricentennial celebrations.

I originally intended to present a factual timeline that leads to this once in a lifetime event of our modern generation, in the tradition of this blog. But after witnessing the event myself, (Of course I wouldn’t miss it in the world) relishing and pondering each moment in my memory, I will instead share this in a very personal manner which I’ve never done before because of an impulse of inspiration. When I was conceptualizing the content in my head while traveling to Malolos, Bulacan to attend the 2 day conclusion of the Santo Niño de Malolos festivies, I realized that a personal eyewitness account will work on this blogpost because it is a perfect way to record the events in detail that took place on that fateful day of January 24, 2020 – a day every Letranite, history buffs, and La Naval devotees waited for decades.

La Gran Señora de Filipinas and Intramuros

The last La Naval de Manila Procession in Intramuros, Manila in 1941

I wouldn’t dwell much on the origins and miracles of the Santo Rosario because I’ve already written a blogpost about its rich history that dictated the course of our country’s history and how her historic festivities and Grand Procession in Intramuros became part of our history and culture that was later immortalized in literature and film. Since the carving of the image in 1593, the Santo Rosario and Intramuros became inseparable. The Santo Rosario became a silent witness to the glorious and tragic history our nation and the flourishing of the Catholic faith in the islands.

When the Second World War broke out in 1941, everything went to a screeching halt. The Japanese forces invaded the country and both Japanese and American forces are bombing the country – unfortunately, Intramuros was one of the casualties. Fortunately, when the news of the War broke out, the image of Our Lady of the Rosary was kept in an underground vault for safekeeping and on December 30, 1941, the image was recovered successfully and it was later kept at the University of Santo Tomas for safekeeping until the image was enthroned in her permanent shrine in the New Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City.

La Naval and Letran

Nuestra Señora del Santrisimo Rosario – La Naval de Manila at the Letran Chapel in 1953

The main purpose of the La Gran Señora’s visit to the Walled City is for the 400th founding anniversary of Colegio de San Juan de Letran. Why Letran one may ask, let us look at the historic link between Colegio de San Juan de Letran and the miraculous image of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary – La Naval de Manila.

The college was founded by Don Juan Geromino Guerrero in 1620, a retired Spanish officer in Intramuros as “Colegio de Niños Huerfanos de San Juan de Letran” in honor of San Juan Bautista. The school was founded to give shelter, educate and mold orphans to be good Christian citizens. The Colegio gained approval in 1623 and was placed under the Royal Patronage of the King of Spain.

Around the month of May in 1632, Fray Diego de Santa Maria, O.P. arrived at the Sto. Domingo convent from Spain. He was officially assigned to this same convent on April 23, 1633. He later founded the “Colegio de Huerfanos de San Pedro y San Pablo” and the orphans under this Colegio was residing at the Convento of the Dominicans. As Don Guerrero grew old, the two schools were fused together, and in 1706, the Provincial Chapter of the Dominicans in the Philippines decided to adopt officially the name Colegio de San Juan de Letran in memory of its first founder, Don Juan Alonso Geronimo Guerrero.

Since then, the students and faculty of Colegio de San Juan de Letran had this close ties and special devotion to the Virgin and they always accompany her on the Virgin’s fiesta procession held every October. During the First Plenary Council of the Philippines in 1953, the image of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario – La Naval de Manila returned to Intramuros, twelve years since the Second World War to oversee the council held at San Agustin Church. On January 24, 1953, as part of the closing of the Plenary Council and a brief public veneration at San Agustin Church, the image made a short visit to Colegio de San Juan de Letran for the veneration of the Letranite community. The short visit edified the Letranites for it was seen as a reunion of their Mother and her “huerfanos”.

Gaining momentum

The Vicaria of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario – La Naval de Manila participating the Grand Marian Procession in 2016 in celebration of the 800th founding anniversary of the Dominican Order.

Over the next decades, many are hoping the Virgin of La Naval de Manila will return to Intramuros, at least for a short while (perhaps out of nostalgia). Since the 1980’s up to the early 2000’s, the vicaria of the Virgin of La Naval would participate the annual Grand Marian Procession held every First Sunday of December in Intramuros which gives the attendees a glimpse of the old La Naval procession back in the day.

In 2017, with the release of the modern adaptation of Nick Joaquin’s stage play “Ang Larawan” (Originally known as “Portrait of an Artist”) which it highlights the last La Naval procession in 1941, hopes and imaginations of the Virgin’s return increased due to the film’s cult following.

The official poster of Colegio de San Juan de Letran for the visit of the original image of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario – La Naval de Manila

That same period, Colegio de San Juan de Letran was then preparing to celebrate its 400th founding anniversary. Many are wondering if the original and canonically crowned image of Our Lady will visit Letran in Intramuros just like what happened at the University of Santo Tomas in 2011 during its own Quadricentennial festivities that year. (The blogger himself was a student of UST when the Virign visited the campus and stayed at the Santisimo Rosario Parish overnight).

By the end of 2019, the news finally came that the Virgin of La Naval will return to Intramuros for the opening of the Quadricentennial celebrations of Colegio de San Juan de Letran on January 24 – 25, 2020 – exactly 67 years since the Virgin’s last visit to Intramuros and Letran. The announcement was first published in the 2019 La Naval de Manila fiesta souvenir program then months later, it was announced thru Letran’s social media platforms by December of 2019. The announcement electrified La Naval devotees and history lovers for the hopes of many will finally come true to see the Santo Rosario back to her home in Intramuros. Preparations for a once in a lifetime event was important and by the detail from the vestment that the Virgin will use for the event, logistics, traffic, security, preparations at the Manila Cathedral and Colegio de San Juan de Letran, the key venues of the visit are closely monitored to ensure that the everything is in place for her historic visit.

A special entourage of the Santo Rosario

Beato Jose Maria de Manila in a Letranite academic regalia. He and his family moved to Spain and entered the Franciscan Capuchin Order then later martyred during the Spanish Civil War.

For this occasion, the Virgin will have a special entourage of saints that will accompany her in her Grand Procession in Intramuros. The line up of the saints were quite different from the current set up of the modern La Naval de Manila festivities (27 saints).The Intrmuros homecoming line up consits of the following in chronological order of appearance: El Glorioso San Jose, San Juan Baustisa (The titular Patron of Colegio de San Juan de Letran), San Pedro and San Pablo (The original titular patrons of Letran), Sto. Domingo de Guzman, Sto. Tomas de Aquino, Sta. Catalina de Sena, San Martin de Porres (Reportedly bilocated in Intramuros, particularly in Letran), San Vicente Liem de la Paz, San Vicente de Sto Domingo, Sto. Domingo Tuoc and Beato Jose Maria de Manila.

For the line up, the images of San Jose, Sto. Domingo, Sto. Tomas de Aquino and Sta. Catalina de Sena came from Sto. Domingo Church that are currently used for the modern La Naval Processions (The Pre-War image of Sta. Catalina is currently venerated in the chapel of Siena College in Quezon City). The image of San Juan Bautista came from Nazaren School in Quiapo, Manila while those of San Pedro and San Pablo came from Sta. Maria, Bulacan that were used for Holy Week processions in the said town. The images that were kept in Letran were that of San Martin de Porres and San Vicente Liem de la Paz. Three new processional images were commissioned for this special occasion, namely San Vicente de Sto Domingo, Sto. Domingo Tuoc and Beato Jose Maria de Manila. The three new saints in this line up are known as Letranite saints because these saints, which includes St. Vicente Liem de la Paz, were foremost alumni of Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Intramuros who died as martyrs during the Christian persecution in Vietnam and the Spanish Civil War respectively.

It is imperative for this blog to introduce the two saints that were seen in the homecoming of the Santo Rosario in Intramuros. I’ve already written a biographical sketch to Blessed Jose Maria de Manila in this blog so I will only introduce two Letranite saints who belonged to the Dominican Order and died as Martyrs of the Vietnamese Christian persecution.

St. Vicente Yen de Santo Domingo

San Vicente de Santo Domingo was born in Tra-lu in the province of Nam-dinh in 1764. He was trained under the supervision of Bishop Ignatius Delgado, who ordained him a priest at the age of 40. He was appointed to the care of souls. His Calvary began right away. He was secretly denounced to the Mandarins, taken prisoner and made to carry a heavy cangue [yoke]. He spent a month in this condition until he was rescued by friends and set sailed to the Philippines.

Vincente studied at Colegio de San Juan de Letran and asked to be admitted to the Dominican Order. Vicente received the habit on July 22, 1807. His purity and considerate treatment of others was such that he won everyone’s respect. He later returned to Vietnam and was once again imprisoned on June 8, 1838; on the 11th, the Mandarins came together to judge him to be beheaded. The venerable priest of 74 years of age walked calmly and with joy to his execution on June 30, 1838. He was beheaded for being a priest of the Religion and for teaching it to the people.

Sto. Domingo Tuoc

Sto. Domingo Tuoc was born around 1775 in Trung Lao, province of Nam Dinh. He later set sailed to the Philippines and studied at Colegio de San Juan de Letran. He entered the Dominican Order in 1811, and was ordained a priest shortly after. He went back to his home country to minister his flock. A witness in the process of beatification (Dominic Doai) said that the saint was hidden in his house for two months, that he spent long hours at night in prayer, and that in the early morning he celebrated Mass every day.

Once he was hiding in a house, some local soldiers came to look for priests, and he hid, but seeing that the people in the house were in danger, he went out and let himself be seen: “I am the priest.” But as they were local soldiers, without any Mandarin or other great authority, the local people attacked them in large numbers with sticks and other tools pretending to help the priest escape. One of the soldiers put an end to the brawl, and struck the saint in the head, so that he fell bathed in blood, while the soldiers fled.

He did not die immediately, but a few hours later, praising and blessing God for allowing him to die for the faith he had professed and uttered the Holy Name of Jesus before he breathed his last. The Christians around him collected everything that touched the saint, including the earth bathed in his blood, considering it a sacred relic.

The Return of the Queen

The original image of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario – La Naval
de Manila triumphantly enters the Manila Cathedral

The long wait was over, the day finally came, exactly 67 years since the First Plenary Council of the Philippines was held in the Walled City. On that fateful day of January 24, 2020, Intramuros was filled with much excitement and a Marian air was all over that the faithful, the La Naval devotees from different parts of the country, history lovers, the students and faculty of Letran, UST and other neighboring schools are eager to witness a very historic comeback of the La Gran Señora de Filipinas to her first home.

The Virgin arrived in the earlier than what was scheduled at around 1:30 pm and as the Patroness of the Philippine Navy, she was was welcomed with water salute (The Virgin was covered with a custom made jacket) before making her way to the Cathedral. The shouts of “iViva Virgen de La Naval!” from the crowd can be heard all over Plaza Roma as they welcome the Queen to the Capital and the “Vivas” became louder as she enters the Cathedral. This was the first time that the venerable image of Our Lady of the Rosary – La Naval de Manila entered the Manila Cathedral since the Spanish regime.

The re-enactment of the Canonical Coronation of Nuestra Señora del Santismo Rosario – La Naval de Manila officiated by Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, outgoing Archbishop of Manila.

Interestingly, the Santo Rosario and the Niño Jesus entered the aisle wearing the medals of the Colegio and without their crowns, which is reminiscent of her Canonical Coronation procession in 1907 at Plaza Magallanes in Intramuros and a century later in 2007 on the event’s centenary in her present shrine as she is about to receive her Canonical Crown donated by the Filipino nation to its Great Protectress. As the Virgin was enthroned at the Cathedral, the Holy Rosary, done in the Dominican Format, was prayed while waiting for the Mass that was set at 3:00 pm. The faithful inside and outside the Cathedral was in a prayerful mood as the faithful prayed the rosary and sang its Inter-Mystery hymns of the La Naval de Manila tradition.

After praying the rosary, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass started presided by His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, the outgoing Archbishop of Manila, together with the priests of the Archdiocese of Manila and the Dominican Order headed by Rev. Fr. Clarence Marquez, OP, President of Colegio de San Juan de Letran. Before the Mass, the re-enactment of the Canonical Coronation took place to the surprise of many and once again, the shouts of “iViva Cristo Rey!” and “iViva Virgen de La Naval!” once again were heard inside and outside of the Cathedral as homage to the Queen of the Islands. Cardinal Tagle gave a reflective homily on imitation of Mary’s virtues and how we should pray like her which help us ponder with one’s prayer life and how this should lead to action. Before the Mass was ended, the popular Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Dumagoso lead Solemn Act of Consecration to Our Lady of the Rosary – La Naval de Manila, again following a tradition where a government official, a popular personality, or a representative from different sectors would lead this solemn act to consecrate the Philippines to its powerful Queen and Protectress. After the Mass a brief veneration of the image took place for those who haven’t seen the Santo Rosario up close and personal while her carroza triunfal is being prepared for the solemn procession – a first after 79 years since the Second World War.

The Much awaited historic Procession

Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario – La Naval de Manila at the facade of the Manila Cathedral waiting for her Grand procession.

After the Carozza Triunfal of the Santo Rosario was set, the Virgin later emerged beautifully from the portals of the Cathderal, greeting the crowd at Plaza Roma. A few minutes later, a dance was offered to the Virgin by the students of the Colegio.

Once the dance concluded, the much awaited Procession followed, flanked by her special entourage of saints, the priests and friars, the students, devotees, and members of different groups, religious and Civic, as the procession winds its way to the old cobbled streets of Intramuros. The processional rosary prayer was led by the priests and friars at the beginning of the procession while the members of the Guardias de Honor de Maria led the rosary, once again in the Dominican format, at the tail end of the procession, following the Virgin. It was a solemn, beautiful yet nostalgic scene that one may felt that they traveled back in time where the Santo Rosario is commanding the procession in the old days of the Walled the City before the destructive War, especially when the procession passed by different old houses that can still be seen up to this day. At one point, the procession stopped when the bells of San Agustin Church was rang in her honor, welcoming her back to her old home. Although some thought it was for the Angelus but it was really a tribute to the Virgin.

The bell ringing lasted for a few minutes and I can truly say that it was an emotional moment and chills went to down to my spine, realizing that she was indeed in Intramuros, praying her rosary and joining her in procession just like what our ancestors did centuries ago in fulfillment of the vow the soldiers and the nation made to Our Lady in thanksgiving for the victory of the Spanish-Filipino forces against the invading Dutch fleet that threatened the archipelago. That moment of solemnity and a prayerful atmosphere is one of the best experience that something that was unfortunately missing in the recent La Naval processions in modern times due to endless distractions that we experienced that most of us are guilty of. It was at that point that I stopped taking pictures and be in the moment and it was a rewarding experience that my heart and my memory will always keep. As the procession progressed, I can’t help but notice that everyone was in prayer, praying for one’s intention, for one’s family and friends, an answer to a petition, for the nation in crisis due to a series of unfortunate events at the beginning of 2020 and for the Church who is constantly under attack by the current government and a constant victim of social media mockery by so-called “Christians” who are blinded by their pride and conceit.

Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario – La Naval de Manila inside Colegio de San Juan de Letran

The procession ended when it reached the Colegio grounds and made its triumphant entry. The students and the faithful cheered for their Queen and Mother once again and it was concluded with the singing of her hymns, most specifically “Ynvocacion a la Reina del Santisimo Rosario”, “O Beata Mater” and the haunting “Despedida a la Virgen”. An overnight vigil followed soon after which was open to the public where the traditional besamanto is in place.

The next day. January 25, 2020, the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, the farewell mass took place in the morning and after some farewell rites, the Virgin left Intramuros to go back to her present shrine in Quezon City once again though a motorcade. The moment she stepped out of Intramuros, all of us present at that moment realized that this moment will never happen again, and if it does, it might take another century or decades which most of us will never see in our lifetime.

A take away on her historic visit

“Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, Our Lady of La Naval. We gather as one people in celebration of a battle fought and won; a vow made and fulfilled; a time remembered and held dear; a miracle experienced and kept alive; love received and returned; your patronage sought and thanked for; God praised, God adored.” These were the first few lines of the Act of Consecration to Our Lady of the Rosary – La Naval de Manila that her devotees pray at the end of the novena and procession.

Now that the Virgin is back to her current home after this historic event, what can we take away from this experience? In my opinion, I would say that see that despite the challenges that we face, regardless if it’s personal or of national concern, we would still cling to the Divine for help, just like what the Virgin did centuries ago. While I was about to go on a journey to Intramuros to be part of this historic event, nostalgia was already in mind and I believe that this was also one of the driving forces of most of the attendees who also wanted to witness her return. But as soon as the rosary prayers, the mass and her solemn procession took place, the nostalgic force changed gradually to that of act of devotion to the Blessed Mother where everyone in attendance are praying the rosary devoutly and witnessed some devotees tossed flowers to the Virgin while she was passing the old streets of Intramuros in her honor.

I always believe that everything happens for a reason and her visit, looking at it in the eyes of faith, was an act of Divine providance. It is interesting to note that prior to her visit, we are bombarded with tragic events that challenged our country in the early part of 2020. Perhaps, her homecoming to Intramuros is God’s way of saying that He will comfort his people in the midst of crisis and He will help them rise again. In this case, he willed that the country’s Protectress to intervene through her presence alone to give comfort to our battered nation, so divided and bruised and gives us hope to rise again, if we once again put our trust to God through her.

I will conclude this blog post in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary – La Naval de Manila with the lines of one of her beautful hymns that we rarely hear but it’s lyrics beautifully expresses our love and devotion to the country’s La Gran Señora de Filipinas:

O Ina ni Kristo, Ina naming lahat,
lingapin mo ang aming bayang Pilipinas,
na ang debosyon sayo ay di kumukupas,
tulad ng pagsamba sa Mahal mong Anak.

Kami’y nagdiriwang sa dakilang araw mo,
nagpapasalamat kami, nagpupuri sayo,
niluluwalhati ka, ikaw at si Kristo,
pinipintuhong Birhen, Reyna ng Rosaryo!

Regina Sacratissimi Rosarii, Ora pro nobis.

References:

“Anales Ecclesiasticos de Philipinas”, Archdiocese of Manila Archives, Arzobispado de Manila, intramuros, Manila, 1995.
Cortez, O.P., Regino, “The Story of La Naval”. Santo Domingo Church, Quezon City, 1998.
Pablo Fernandez, “Dominicos donde nace el sol: Historia de la provincia del Santisimo Rosario de Filipinas de la Orden de Predicadores”, Quezon City: Convento de Santo Domingo, 1958.
Lumba, Ma. Gracia, “The Fugitive Image”, Sunday Times Magazine, 1963, Retrieved from http://lanavaldemanila.blogspot.com/2007/03/fugitive-image.html on December 28, 2019.
Lomague, Mervin, OP, “La Naval is “Ina ng Letran””, Retreived from https://www.facebook.com/100000598407011/posts/10157250446297637/ on January 28, 2020.
“The Rosary Virgin in Letran Chapel” Letran News Vol. XVII, No. 12, February 10, 1953.
Pedro Luengo, “The Convents of Manila”, Quezon City: Ateneo University Press, 2018.
Zulueta, Lito (Ed.), “The Saga of La Naval: Triumph of People’s Faith”. Sta. Mesa Heights, Quezon City: Dominican Province of the Philippines, Inc., 2007.

Photos:

Bagatsing, Juan Paolo
Colegio de San Juan de Letran
Daquioag, Michael Angelo
Lomague, Mervin
Malabanan, James Benedict
Manila Metropolitan Cathedral – Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
Pascua, Chanda

Special thanks to Fray Mervin Lomague, OP, Mr. Michael Daquioag, Ms. Chanda Pascua, Mr. Juan Paolo Bagatsing, Mr. Richard Losanta, and the Perpetual Rosary Association – Guardias de Honor de Maria of the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary – La Naval de Manila for the photographs and documents that were utilized in this blogpost.
+AM+DG+

Imprints of A Holy and Glorious Past – The Surviving Patrons of Old Intramuros

The old La Naval de Manila Procession in Intramuros years before the Second World War

A depiction of Intramuros

Whenever we pass the area of the Manila City Hall going to Quiapo-Tondo-Sampaloc area, we always see an imposing wall on the opposite side of the iconic City Hall – the famed centuries old walled city of Intramuros. The area of Intramuros (Which literally mean “Within the Walls”) during the Spanish period was considered as Manila and the arrabals surrounding the walled city from Quiapo, Santa Ana, Santa Cruz, Sampaloc, Bagumbayan (now the Luneta area), Tondo, Binondo, Paco, Pandacan and Ermita are known as “Extramuros”.

Since its foundation in 1571 with the conquest of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and its construction sometime later, Intramuros became one of the nerve centers of the Philippine Catholic Faith, next to Cebu, for it was chosen as the seat of Catholic Church in the country with the foundation of the Archdiocese of Manila from its parent Archdiocese of Mexico in 1555, several religious orders established their mother houses inside the Walled City and built magnificent churches that pilgrims visited over the centuries.

The religious orders, namely the Augustinians, the Franciscans, the Dominicans, the Jesuits, the Augustinian Recollects and the Franciscan Capuchins introduced several devotions and religious images to the country over the centuries and these became part of our Catholic faith and even played important roles in Philippine history. The devotion to the Eucharist, the Blessed Virgin Mary in her several attributes and the saints was easily adopted by the people and the images that are associated with them became focal point of devotions and celebrations over the years.

But the peace and quiet period in the Walled City turned to an end with the destruction of World War 2. All churches were bombed and completely destroyed, with the exception of San Agustin Church in Intramuros and years later, the Manila Cathedral was rebuilt. Fortunately, some important miraculous images were spared from the destruction of War due to their preventive safekeeping and were later moved to their new shrines outside Manila, other images were not as fortunate for they were victims of the destructive war. Without any further a do, here are some images who survived the destruction of World War 2 and now venerated in their new Shrines, or in some cases were hidden in museums and oratories..

Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario – La Naval de Manila in Intramuros

Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario – La Naval de Manila
Previous Provenance: Iglesia de Santo Domingo, Intramuros, Manila
Current Provenance: Santo Domingo Church – National Shrine of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, La Naval de Manila

The history of Intramuros is not complete without mentioning the miraculous image of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario – La Naval de Manila and its grand procession that was once enshrined in the Old Santo Domingo Church in Intramuros. The image of the Virgin of La Naval, also called as the “Santo Rosario” was carved in 1593 by an unknown Chinese Sculptor upon the request of then Governor General of the Philippines – Don Luis Perez Dasmariñas and art direction of the officer-turned Dominican Priest Don Hernando delos Rios Coronel. Years later, the image was donated to the Dominican Fathers and was enshrined in her own altar in the Gospel Side of the church. Miracles were later reported through the intercession of the Virgin of the Rosary of Santo Domingo Church.

Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario – La Naval de Manila at present

The devotion to the Santo Rosario reached its peak with the Five Naval battles of 1646 where the Spanish-Filipino troops protected the islands from invading Dutch. The two old ill equipped Galleons, the Encarnacion and the Rosario were able to defend the islands against 18 big and well-equipped warships. Before the battle, the whole armada vowed to walk barefoot to her shrine in Santo Domingo if victory will be theirs – and it happened, they fulfilled this vow and the Arzobispado of Manila declared the victory a miracle through the intercession of the Santo Rosario which was later called as the Virgin of La Naval and a Grand Festival is in order to commemorate the event, and the festivities is well attended.

With numerous miracles that she continued to lavish her devotees, she was canonically crowned on October 5, 1907, in Plaza Magallanes in Intramuros and the event was well attended by Filipinos, Spaniards, and Americans. She was the first Filipino Marian image to receive such honor from the Holy See.

During the Second World War, the Santo Domingo Church was destroyed yet the Virgin and other images, along with almost all important documents were kept in a vault and they were later moved to the University of Santo Tomas and finally to her current home in her new location in Quezon Avenue, Quezon City.

Nuestra Señora de Lourdes of Quezon City
Previous Provenance: Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Lourdes, Intramuros, Manila
Current Provenance: National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, Quezon City

There were two images of Our Lady of Lourdes in her National Shrine in Retiro, Quezon City, the “Primera Imagen” which is the oldest surviving image of Our Lady of Lourdes in the country, and the Pontifically Crowned “Venerada Imagen” altar image.

The Primera Imagen of Our Lady of Lourdes at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in the country

When the Capuchins arrived in 1882, they settled in Intramuros as their headquarters in Asia. The Capuchin Church was initially dedicated to the Divina Pastora then later to the Virgin of Lourdes when people began to flock to the grotto that they built with a beautifully carved image of Our Lady of Lourdes done by Manuel Flores in 1892 that was enshrined there. With numerous miracles that were reported through the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes, the Capuchin Friars later asked the same sculptor to carve the altar image two years later and a bigger church was later built with the bigger image in the center.

An Archconfraternity was later established to further propagate the devotion to the Lady of the Grotto who appeared to St. Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. The popularity of the Virgen de Lourdes was unparalleled in almost every Catholic home in the country, one could see a grotto of the Lourdes Virgin enshrined in their gardens.

The Pontifically Crowned altar image of Our Lady of Lourdes

When the Lourdes Church was destroyed, the miraculous smaller image and altar image was easily taken away and was first kept in the sacristy of San Agustin Church, then later at the University of Santo Tomas, and finally to her new home in Retiro, Quezon City. In 2019, Pope Francis, through the decree issued by the Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, granted the Canonical Coronation of the venerable image of Nuestra Señora de Lourdes of Quezon City. The altar image received the honor of Canonical Coronation on August 22, 2020.

Nuestra Señora de la Salud in Intramuros

Nuestra Señora de la Salud
Previous Provenance: Iglesia de San Nicolas de Tolentino, Intramuros, Manila
Current Provenance: San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish, Quezon City

The image of Nuestra Señora de la Salud of the Augustinian Recollects was brought to the Philippines in 1623, along with the famous Señor Nazareno of Quiapo, Manila. The image was first enshrined in her own church in Bagumbayan, now Luneta, which was dedicated to St. John the Baptist.

The venerated image was transferred to Intramuros three times when the Bagumbayan Church was destroyed until it was permanently enshrined in the old San Nicolas Church of the Recollects in Intramuros.

One of the most notable miracle of the dark Virgin of Health was during the infamous Chinese uprising in 1639. A novena was held in her honor to ask for the health of the army and to establish peace. The novena were held with grand solemnity, attended by no less than the Archbishop of Manila, the city officials, the Royal Audiencia, and the great multitude of the faithful, who profited much from the devotion to the Virgen de la Salud. She generously granted that which they asked for and celebrated her feast day with much grand and solemnity. Since then, the devotion to the Virgin of Health flourished.

Years later, the War broke out and San Nicolas Church was one of the unfortunate casualties. The Virgin, along with the miraculous Crucifix of Casiguran, an ivory image of St. Michael the Archangel and a chalice given by Pope Leo XIII were spared and immediately transferred to the sacristy of San Sebastian Church. As for the other images that are mentioned earlier, they were all destroyed by the War.

The Virgin was later evacuated to the sacristy of Minor Basilica of San Sebastián in Quiapo, Manila and moved later to the new mother house of the order in Quzon City. The image was later donated to the Museo Recoleto in the 1980’s and stayed there since then.

In 2016, the image returned to Intramuros to participate at the annual Grand Marian Procession that sparked the revival of the devotion. At present, the Augustinian Recollects are now making efforts to revive the devotion to the Virgin of Health.

Santo Cristo del Tesoro de Colegio de Santa Isabel
Previous Provenance: Colegio de Santa Isabel, Intramuros, Manila (Old campus)
Current Provenance: Colegio de Santa Isabel, Ermita, Manila (present campus)

The image of Santo Cristo del Tesoro of Colegio de Santa Isabel of Intramuros was also one of the most celebrated images in Intramuros and acclaimed as one of the so-called “Palladium of Intramuros” together with the Virgin of La Naval of the Dominicans and the now destroyed San Francisco de las Lagrimas of the Franciscans.

The image arrived in the country in 1631 from Acapulco for the Real Casa de La Misericordia. It was a gift of Don Juan Lopez, a captain who gave up the career of the sword, for that of charity. He was then bookkeeper of the above mentioned charitable institution.

The crucifix was placed in a shrine near the treasury of the Real Casa de La Misericordia as a guardian keeping a vigilant eye on the treasures of his beloved children. In fact, the crucified Christ proved that the treasury remained inexhaustible in spite of the many poor whose cries for alms and mercy were unfailingly answered.

Facial details of Santo Cristo del Tesosro

In times of drought, the Archbishop of Manila with his parishioners joined in a solemn procession in honor of this image, imploring for rain, and the events that followed did not fall short of the trust he and the people of Manila had placed in the Black Crucified Christ.

In the wake of the Second World War, the Santo Cristo was whisked away from the old Santa Isabel College to San Agustin Church and later transferred to Colegio de Sta. Rita of old Calumpang (now Plaza del Carmen of Quiapo). During the Japanese occupation, devotion to Santo Cristo del Tesoro found its way into the dreaded Fort Santiago and other places of torture. Freed or liberated prisoners form the fort went to the chapel of the Señor with fervent and humble thanksgiving. The image was later transferred to his new shrine in the relocated campus in Ermita, Manila.

Nuestra Señora de la Consolacion y Correa de Intramuros
Previous Provenance: Iglesia de San Pablo (San Agustin Church), Intramuros, Manila
Current Provenance: San Agustin Church, Intramuros, Manila

Being the lone survivor of the Second World War, San Agustin Church served as the solace of some of the well known images in the area and it is no surprise that its patroness, the Nuestra Señora de la Consolacion y Correa de Intramuros was spared from the ravages of War. The exact date of her arrival is unknown yet it is believed that the Consolacion was already enshrined in San Agustin Church in her own altar since the Seventeenth century.

The devotion to the Virgen de la Consolacion began when the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Monica of Tagaste, Mother of the future St. Augustine of Hippo who was at that time a wayward child who is very invested to the pleasures of the world. The Blessed Virgin appeared in mourning clothes and gave her cincture and asked Monica to wear it as a sign of her maternal consolation and protection. Tradition has it that the Chord (Correa in Spanish) was immediately worn by Monica and later gave it to his son after his conversion.

Nuestra Señora de la Consolacion y Correa de Intramuros at present

The Augustinians later adapted the Correa together with their habit when they are formally founded thru the Papal Bull “Cum quaedam salubria,” issued on July 15, 1255 by Pope Alexander IV which ordered a number of religious monks to gather for the purpose of being amalgamated into a new Order of Hermits of Saint Augustine which is called “The Grand Union”, contrary to the popular belief that St. Augustine himself founded the Augustinian Order. A confradia was later founded in the country under her patronage for the propagation of the devotion to the Lady of Consolation and for promoting the spiritual life of St. Augustine.

The image was kept hidden during the Second World War and it was later enshrined to her altar once again years alter after the War and stayed there since then. The original Niño of the Consolacion was sacrilegiously stolen on February 13, 2005 and a replacement image was soon commissioned. The Mother of the Augustinian Order was Canonically Crowned on her feast day, September 4, 2000 – then the Jubilee Year.

Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario de Universidad de Santo Tomas
Previous Provenance: Friary Chapel of University of Santo Tomas, Intramuros, Manila (old campus)
Current Provenance: Santisimo Rosario Parish, UST Central Seminary, Sampaloc, Manila

The beautiful venerated image of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario of the Royal, Pontifical and Catholic University of Santo Tomas, the oldest Universtiy in Asia, was once enshrined in a chapel in the old campus of the University. In an interesting note, the University was actually under the patronage of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary and it is originally named as “Colegio de Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario”.

History is silent on where the image came from and who carved the image for a chapel in the old Intramuros Campus. In a study conducted by the Committee for the Centenary of the Canonical Coronation of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosaio – La Naval de Manila speculated that the opus was done either by Maximo Vicente or Graciano Nepomuceno which is yet to be confirmed.

When the then newly constructed UST Campus in Sampaloc, Manila was completed, another chapel was also constructed for the Virgin. The Chapel was among the earliest edifices in the Campus of the University of Santo Tomas. It was completed on November 13, 1932 and it was later became a parish in 1942, this chapel likewise became the center of the liturgico-sacramental life of the students and parishioners up to the present.

Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario de Universidad de Santo Tomas at present

On September 28, 1942, the image of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario – La Naval de Manila, which was saved from the bombings that destroyed the Old Santo Domingo Church in Intramuros, was transferred to the University of Santo Tomas and enshrined at the main altar of the UST Chapel. Thus, the first fiesta celebration of the Santisimo Rosario Parish, set on October 7, the universal feast of the Holy Rosary, was graced by the presence of the historical image of the Blessed Mother, and this went on for several more years until the year 1954, when the La Naval was solemnly transferred to her new and permanent temple, the Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City.

The original parish image was then restored to its former place at the high altar, until the implementation of the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council. The Feast day of the University’s patroness was moved from Second Sunday of October to First Sunday of the same month to give way for the traditional Feast of the La Gran Señora de Filipinas. The Fiesta is well attended by its parishioners and most importantly, by its students to pay homage to patroness of the Universtiy.

Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu de Colegio de San Juan de Letran
Previous Provenance: Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Intramuros, Manila
Current Provenance: Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Intramuros, Manila

For some Filipino faithful, the term Aranzazu is synonimous to San Mateo, Rizal where the Virgin, under this unique title is acclaimed as the Patroness of the Pueblo since 1716. However, the devotion to Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu already existed in Intramuros before it was introduced to San Mateo, Rizal.

The image of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu shows the Blessed Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus in his arm holding a scepter and an apple on top of thorn tree and a quadrilateral bell on one of its trunks appearing to a shepherd named Rodrigo de Balzategui.

A Spanish captain brought the first image of the Virgin Mary from Mexico sometime in 1732. The devotion to the Virgin of Aranzazu in Letran flourished that led to the establishment of the Archconfraternity of Nuestra Senora de Aranzazu on December 16, 1772 by virtue of a Pontifical Brief issued by Benedict XIV on September 18, 1748.

Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu de Colegio de San Juan de Letran at present

The confraternity was installed amid solemn ceremonies at the Letran Chapel and the image occupied the epistle side for public veneration on December 16, 1772 and its members grew in numbers. Devotions to her in the succeeding years were held with much fervor, at which the members attend decked in their special gala uniform of white tunic, red cape and a blue band with a medal with her image on it. Her feast day was once celebrated every December 16.

During the War years, the image was spared from the damages the war have caused to the Walled City. Probably it was in that period that the hiding of the image to the public began and only a few, with the exception of the Dominican Friars who run the Colegio and stewards of the image, could get a glimpse of once celebrated images of Our Lady in Intramuros. At present, the image is kept in a private chapel of the Friars in the college and the image is exposed on rare special occasions.

Apoteosis de Santo Tomas de Aquino
Previous Provenance: Iglesia de Santo Domingo, Intramuros, Manila
Current Provenance: National Museum, Manila

Probably, one of the least known miraculous image of Old Intramuros that survived the Second World War. The painting of the St. Thomas Aquinas – the Prince of Theologians and popularly known as the “Angelic Doctor”- in full glory, was attributed to Damian Domingo, the celebrated mestizo painter during the early years of the Spanish era.

The painting is said to be enshrined in old Santo Domingo Church in Intramuros and being flocked by pilgrims. In 1819, the Archbishop of Manila, Juan Antonio Zulaybar y Aldaope, OP granted indulgences to the faithful who will recite the “Our Father”, the “Hail Mary” and the “Glory be”before this particular painting as it is inscribed in this painting.

The painting was one of the treasures that were kept in the vault of Old Santo Domingo and it was later kept in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas once retrieved. The painting is currently on display in the National Museum.

*Note: Apotheosis (Apoteosis in Spanish) – the elevation of someone to divine status

Santo Niño – El Conquistador
Previous Provenance: Iglesia de San Pablo (San Agustin Church), Intramuros, Manila
Current Provenance: Museo de San Agustin, San Agustin Church, Intramuros, Manila

Another image that was once celebrated within the Walled City is the ivory image of Santo Niño – El Conquistador. The image of the Santo Niño is clad in a conquistador regalia with a crown, scepter and a globus cruciger – symbols of power and domination. The origins of the image is unknown yet it is believed that it was enshrined since the Seventeenth Century to the Gospel side of the altar, along with the image of Nuestra Señora de la Consolacion y Correa de Intramuros which was located in the epistle side of the altar up to the present.

The Fiesta of the El Conquistador is celebrated with much pomp and solemnity and enjoyed much devotion from the entire Intramuros populace. However, during the Second World War, the image, along with the La Consolacion were hidden for sometime for safekeeping until both were re-enthroned after the War. At present, the image is now located in San Agustin Church Museum for preservation.

Mary, Help of Christians of Parañaque City

Mary Help of Christians of Parañaque
Previous Provenance: Manila Metropolitan Cathedral, Intramuros, Manila
Present Provenance: National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians, Parañaque City

The devotion to Mary, Help of Christians began in the Philippines with the appointment of Salesian Archbishop William Piani as Apostolic Delegate to the Philippines. In 1922, he brought the statue of Mary Help of Christians to Manila and was first enthroned at the Manila Cathedral.

In 1942, during the Japanese occupation, the statue was brought to the Shrine of Nuestra Señora de Loreto in Sampaloc, Manila for safekeeping. During those years, the Archconfraternity of Mary help of Christians in the Philippines was organized. The archconfraternity continuously offered novenas and masses every 24th day of each month to Our Lady. Perhaps due to Archbishop Piani’s influence, the following parishes adopted Mary Help of Christians as titular and Patroness in different places in the country. Years later, in 1994 the image was transferred to the National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians in Betterliving, Parañaque City while a new image of was enthroned in the original chapel in Manila Cathedral in 2016.

Virgen de la Soledad (Mater Dolorosa) de Intramuros
Previous Provenance: Iglesia de Santo Domingo, Intramuros, Manila
Current Provenance: Santo Domingo Church – National Shrine of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, La Naval de Manila

One of the earliest known Holy Week images in the country is that of the image of the Nuestra Señora de La Soledad (More popularly known as the “Mater Dolorosa”) of old Santo Domingo Church in Intramuros. Though the origins of this image is unknown yet it garnered a devotional following in Old Manila and the “Hermandad del Santo Entierro y Virgen de la Soledad”, the Hermandad in charge of the Good Friday procession of the old Iglesia de Santo Domingo was given formal approval by Pope Clement VIII in 1598.

The image is usually decked on her silver andas for the Solemn and Somber Good Friday processions led by the Dominican Order, the Beatas of Beaterio de Santa Catalina, students of Colegio de San Juan de Letran and University of Santo Tomas, the military and the high ranking officials, including the Capitan General of the colony. The image is also accompanied by the different saints of the Passion and the Señor Yacente.

The Dolorosa image, along with the image of San Juan Evangelista, survived the Second World War and was kept first the UST Sampaloc Campus and later in the present Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City. At present, the image can still be seen every Good Friday during the annual televised Siete Palabras and later on the Good Friday procession in the afternoon.

Santo Cristo de Casiguran
Previous Provenance: Iglesia de San Nicolas de Tolentino, Intramuros, Manila
Current Provenance: Museo Recoleto, Mira Nila Homes, Quezon CIty

The small crucifix of Casiguran was brought to the old San Nicolas de Tolentino Church in Intramuros from Casiguran, Quezon by the Augustinian Recollect missionaries when they left that mission area in 1704. Believed to be miraculous, tradition has it that the Crucified Christ gave absolution to a dying Recollect missionary who hid together with his flock in the forest of Casiguran to escape Moro pirates. It also recorded that whenever there will be an impending danger or natural disasters that would befall Casiguran, the head of Christ would turn to it’s direction as a warning to the faithful. Recently, there were some witnesses said that the head of Christ also turned to the direction of Leyte days before the devastating typhoon Yolanda (Internationally known as ‘Haiyan’) hit the island province. At present, the miraculous crucifix is currently kept in the Museo Recoleto for safekeeping.

The lasting value of the surviving images of old Intramuros

These miraculous images that are miraculously preserved during the Second World War is quite astounding for it only shows the Hand of God is working in our midst. These images are silent testaments and witnesses to the enduring faith the Filipinos have for centuries despite its rich, colorful and tragic history that shaped Philippine history. The survival stories of these miraculous images tells us that with God, we can endure every havoc or tragedy that we will face in our lives.

References:

Aviado, Lutgarda, “Madonnas of the Philippines”, Manlapaz Press, Quezon City, 1972.
Barcelona, Mary Anne. “Ynang Maria: a celebration of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Philippines”. Ed. Consuelo B. Estampa, P.D. Pasig City, Anvil Publishing Inc., 2004.
Mary, Help of Christians Fiesta 2000 Souvenir Program, National shrine and Parish of Mary, Help of Christians, Betterliving Subdivision, Parañaque City.
Rubia, Rommel, OAR, “La Salud: the Black Virgin of Health”, Recoletos Communications, Order of Augustinian Recollects, Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno, Quezon City, 2016.
Sanchez, Francisco, “La Virgen Maria Venerada en sus Imagenes Filipinas”, Manila: Imp. De Santos y Bernal, 1904.

Photos:

Choia, Davy
Landicho, Miguel
Yu, Biggie
Some photographs that were used in this blogpost are credited to its owners.

Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario, La Naval de Manila – The Queen and Protectress of the Philippines

Within the busy streets of Quezon Avenue, Quezon City, a towering shrine is seen along its road. Inside that massive shrine of Santo Domingo Church, it houses the silent witness to the turbulent yet triumphant history of the Philippines – the beautiful and grand image of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario, La Naval de Manila.

The Virgin of the Rosary of La Naval is not only a silent witness, she is the anchor of hope of the Filipinos through the centuries of its turbulent and challenging history, better yet, the Great Protectress of the islands, the La Gran Senora de Filipinas.

The Image of Nuestra Señora del Santísimo Rosario, La Naval de Manila (colloquially known as the Santo Rosario or Our Lady of La Naval de Manila), is one of the most miraculous and the most important in the country. As with the Battle of Lepanto of 1571, Filipinos credit her intercession for successfully repulsing Dutch invasion during the Battles of La Naval de Manila of 1646.

The image of Our Lady of La Naval, whose feast is celebrated every second Sunday of October, is a 16th-century ivory and wood statue enshrined at the Santo Domingo Church – the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary in Quezon City. On her throne, she became the silent witness and played a key role in the turbulent yet important moments in our nation’s history her presence is very potent and her devotion continues to be relevant to this day.

The Visage of the Queen

The Virgin of La Naval in her signature Numero Uno vestment

Measuring some 1.52 meters, the body is made of hardwood while the face and hands, as well as the entire Child Jesus in its arms, are made of genuine ivory. Since its creation, the statue – considered the oldest dated ivory carving in the Philippines – has always been decorated with elaborate garments and a crown.

A medal was placed at the center of the base of the image, that medal is that of National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin, a well renowned Filipino writer and poet famous for his literary works and for his literary pieces for the Virgin of La Naval. The Quijano de Manila (as he is popularly called) expressed on his deathbed that his medal will be placed at the base of the image as his final offering. The medal can still be seen today.

The jewels of image is also noteworthy. In his prose on the La Naval, Nick Joaquín attributed one of the red jewels in one of the statue’s crowns to an old legend of a giant serpent found in the Pasig River; the local folktale is more likely a metaphor of the triumph of Christianity over paganism.The other jewels were supposedly inscribed and donated by King Norodom of Cambodia in 1872, one having disappeared after a burglary in 1930 while another one was simply two pearls adorning the orbs of the statue.

The Beginning

The lone photo of the first image of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario brought by the Dominicans in 1587 shortly before the bombings of 1941

Prior to the renowned ivory image of the Virgin of the Rosary, there existed another Santo Rosario image brought by the Dominicans from Mexico in 1587. This Mexican image, carved from a single piece of wood, stood at a height of one and a half meters on a 30-centimeter pedestal. Until the earthquake in 1863, the image was enshrined at the left side of the altar and a relic from the tilma of Our Lady of Guadalupe was concealed within a hollowed-out portion at the back of the statue.

In 1593, the Spanish Governor-General Don Luis Pérez Dasmariñas commissioned a statue of Our Lady of the Rosary for public veneration in memory of his recently deceased father, Don Gomez Pérez Dasmariñas. Under the direction of Captain turned priest Don Hernando de los Rios Coronel, the sculpture was made by an anonymous Chinese sculptor, who later converted to Christianity; this is the commonly cited reason for the statue’s Asian features. The statue was later given to the Dominican friars, who installed it at the Santo Domingo Church.

Popular pious legend has it that while the Chinese carver was making the image, he heard a gentle female voice saying: “¡No me des tan fuerte!” (Do not chisel me too hard!, it hurts!). This incident haunted the carver that he moved to Ilocos to forget the mysterious voice, yet after much thought, he decided to be baptized and he willed that it will be done in front of the image he made.

The ivory image of Don Luis was donated to the Dominicans and was subsequently enshrined to the their Church around 1595. The devotees of the first image on the other hand requested that the wooden image be relocated somewhere where she could still be venerated. Thus the image was placed on the facade of old Santo Domingo and a light was provided by night thanks to a perpetual donation of ten pesos each year. The image survived the destruction of Santo Domingo Church in Intramuros by earthquakes and fires yet she was lost during the bombings of 1941.

Early Miracles

Since the enthronement of the Santo Rosario, there were already reported miracles that are attributed to her maternal intercession.

Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario – La Naval de Manila in her old altar in Old Santo Domingo Church in Intramuros

The first known and recorded miracle of the Santo Rosario took place was the miracle of Francisco Lopez in 1613, who is known for his vicious deeds yet his saving grace was praying the Rosary. One day while he was on a voyage, the natives attacked the ship leaving the Spaniards injured, and some of them died. Francisco did not die yet he has wounds all over his body and bled profusely.

Seeing his end near him, he sincerely pleaded with the Virgin to help him in his last hour. Then suddenly, the Virgin and the Child Jesus appeared to him, walking towards him and sustaining him in his remaining hours. Then a ship came and his acquaintance, Gonzalo Salcedo saw him in his pitiful state and Lopez related his encounter with the Virgin and asked Salcedo for a priest for his last Sacraments. A Franciscan priest came and received his last sacraments and died in peace.

At that same moment, the camarera, Doña Ana de Vera, saw that the lower part of the dress of both the Virgin and Child were dirty with cake mud and wet. This alarmed her that she called the Padre before reporting the incident. The conclusion to this mystery was later reached when an investigation took place and found out that the miracle of Francisco Lopez and the discovery of Doña Ana de Vera happened at the same time. This miracle was probed in 1621.

A Moro diver was doing his job to find precious pearls for trading and when he saw a great pearl in a giant clam, as he was about to get the precious pearl, the mother-o’-pearl closed and his arm got stuck. The diver remembered the preaching of a Dominican friar in Zamboanga about the Miraculous image of the Santo Rosario in Intramuros and he later asked the Virgin to help him escape from sudden death and he promised to offer the pearl to the Virgin, immediately, the mother-o-pearl broke into two and his arm was released and got the precious pearl. The diver immediately went to Intramuros and with the permission of the friars, he gave the precious pearl to the image of the Virgin.

Details of the face of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario – La Naval de Manila

Not long after, a thief was lurking inside the church and wanted to rob the pearl of the Virgin, as he about to reach the image, the Virgin spoke to him “¿Por qué me roba usted cuándo no le daño?” (Why dost thou rob me when I harm you not?) The thief fell down and realized his sin, he repented and since then, the people now have high regard to the Lady’s jewels.

A Mother went inside Sto. Domingo Church, then in Intramuros, with her dead 6 months old baby boy. She went to the feet of Our Lady and begged to bring his dead baby back to life. To the amazement of the mother, and the crowds inside the church, the baby was brought back to life to the rejoice of his mother. The miracle was duly recorded and perpetuated.

The Miracle of the Battle in Molluccas

Prior to the Naval battles of 1646, the Virgin is already invoked for victories in naval battles. One such battle was that in Ternate, Molluccas (now part of Indonesia) 1604, the Governor General of the Islands Don Pedro Bravo de Acuña launched an expedition that will against the Dutch in Ternate, Molluccas as a preventive measure for a possible invasion of the Philippines. The combined Spanish and Filipino forces joined the fleet, accompanied by the Dominican Friars headed by Fray Andres de Santo Domingo. The entire fleet enlisted themselves to the Rosary Confraternity and made a promise that if the victory will be theirs, they will name the island after the Virgin.

Holy Week of 1604, the Spanish and Filipino armada headed to Molluccas and as they reached the island on Good Friday, they were intimidated by the forts and combined Dutch and Muslim forces. At the same time, a solar eclipse took place which a Moro elder from Molluccas interpreted as a bad omen for the Dutch. April 1, 1604, Holy Saturday, the Spanish-Filipino armada launched their attack and the Dutch-Moro forces began to fire cannons and guns at them. All of a sudden, a voice from heaven was heard by the armada encouraging them to attack and promising victory. The armada realized that Saturday was the day dedicated to the Virgin and the voice was an assuring sign from her and proceed with the attack.

The Dutch-Moro forces were defeated and when they interrogated one of the Dutch soldiers, he relayed that as they are firing a cannon, they saw a beautiful lady from the sky and stopped a Moro from firing the cannon, grabbed its weapon and poured sand to the cannon. Out of fear, he ran away yet he met the armada and died during battle. That Easter Sunday, a thanksgiving Mass was offered and fulfilled their promise to dedicate and named the island to Nuestra Señora del Rosario.

The Miracle of the Five Naval Battles of 1646

The devotion to the Santo Rosario reached its highest degree of importance and fame with her famous intercession on the Five Naval Battles of 1646.

In 1646, as the Philippines was recovering from several unfortunate events of the previous years, the Dutch naval forces made several repeated attempts to conquer the Philippines in a bid to control trade in Asia.

The combined Spanish and Filipino forces sought the aid of the Virgin of the Rosary and place themselves under her protection and prayed the rosary repeatedly. The combined forces made a vow that if the victory will be theirs, they will walk barefoot, offer a candle, and make a confession to the chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary then in Old Intramuros, to offer gratitude for the victory they hoped to obtain from her intercession.

From March to October of 1646, with only two old two merchant galleons led by Commander Lorenzo de Orella y Ugalde, the “Encarnacion” and the “Santo Rosario”, they went on to rebuff the attacks by the superior 18 Dutch fleets, engaging in five major battles at sea and losing only fifteen members of the Spanish-Filipino forces.

The first battle took place on March 15, 1646, in Bolinao Bay. The two galleons faced a fleet of five Dutch ships. Trusting in their spiritual weapons, the defenders recited the rosary on their knees. With just one casualty, they drove the Dutch into panic and inflicted significant damage. The second battle occurred on July 29, between Banton and Marinduque. The two galleons triumphed over a fleet of seven, armed with powerful artillery and around eight hundred men. The fierce and bloody battle lasted from evening till dawn.

Two days later, a third battle took place off the coast of Mindoro. The Dutch force of six ships faced the defenders, who shouted praises to the Christian faith and the Virgin of the Rosary. One Dutch ship was lost, and another was crippled.

Returning to Cavite, the galleons faced another Dutch fleet near Mariveles. Despite being hit, the Spanish-Filipino forces emerged victorious for the fourth time. A week later, the Fifth and last battle commenced as the disabled Sto. Rosario faced a Dutch fleet of three ships. The enemy bombarded her from all sides, nearly boarding her. However, the brave defenders called upon God and the Blessed Mother, resulting in the destruction of one Dutch ship and the scattering of the others. The defenders suffered minimal casualties, with only four men lost. In total, only fifteen defenders died in the five battles, which ended the Protestant Dutch ambition to conquer the Philippines.

The Battle of La Naval de Manila by Botong Francisco

After each victory, the Spanish-Filipino forces were able to fulfill the vow they made to the Virgin to walk barefoot to her altar and gave thanks for the miraculous victories.

On April 9, 1662, the cathedral chapter of the Archdiocese of Manila declared the naval victory a miraculous event owed to the intercession of the Virgin Mary, declaring:

“Granted by the Sovereign Lord through the intercession of the Most Holy Virgin and devotion to her Rosary, that the miracles be celebrated, preached and held in festivities and to be recounted amongst the miracles wrought by the Lady of the Rosary for the greater devotion of the faithful to Our Most Blessed Virgin Mary and Her Holy Rosary.”

Since then, the tradition of walking barefoot to her shrine later evolved into the iconic Grand Procession of the Santo Rosario that gathers thousands to millions of devotees every year. It is due to this famous miracles that the “La Naval” was added to her title and named “La Gran Señora de Filipinas”.

World War II and its transfer to Quezon City

The image of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario La Naval de Manila during her stay at the University of Santo Tomas

During the Japanese bombardment in 1942, fearing that the statue would be destroyed, church authorities hid the statue at the University of Santo Tomas until 1946, the 300th anniversary of the battles. By Divine Inspiration, the image was kept in the vault of the Church prior to the destruction of the image.

On September 28, 1942, the image of the Santo Rosario was moved to the Chapel of the University of Santo Tomas and was placed at the main altar. The university held the image temporarily during the Virgin of La Naval’s “evacuation.” As a result, the first fiesta celebration of Santisimo Rosario Parish took place on October 7, coinciding with the universal feast of the Holy Rosary. During these times, the novenas and processions continued despite the tragic times of the war.

Santo Domingo Church – National Shrine of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario – La Naval de Manila

On October 10, 1954, the Santo Rosario was transferred to her new shrine, the present Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City. For this journey, devotees constructed a Carroza Triunfal (a galleon-shaped carriage) to carry the image to its new home, which was declared her National Shrine by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines that same year.

The church and convent, along with the other objects stored in the complex were declared a “National Cultural Treasure” by the National Museum of the Philippines on October 4, 2012. This declaration is in accordance with Republic Act 10066 or the “National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009” by the National Museum.

The Santo Rosario in modern times

The Virgin of the Rosary – La Naval de Manila continues to play her role as the country’s Great Lady and Protectress as she witnessed the struggles of the Filipino people from its liberation from 3 colonizers, gaining independence, and the modern-day crisis that challenged our nation.

In 1953, during the First Plenary Council of the Philippines, the image of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario – La Naval de Manila made a significant return to Intramuros. After twelve years since the Second World War, the image was brought back to oversee the council held at San Agustin Church. As part of the closing ceremony on January 24, 1953, the image briefly visited Colegio de San Juan de Letran for the veneration of the Letranite community.

During the People Power Revolution of February 1986, the callejera statue of the Virgin of La Naval was brought in procession to the EDSA by the Dominican friars, in a peaceful protest to end the Marcos regime. The callejera was also brought to the eastern gate of Camp Crame, the police headquarters where the rebel forces headed by Juan Ponce Enrile and Fidel V. Ramos were confined during the uprising. Many Filipino Catholics attribute the revolution’s peaceful victory to the miraculous intervention of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario La Naval de Manila during her visit the University of Santo Tomas for the Quadricentennial Celebrations of the said University

In 2011, the original image of Our Lady of La Naval de Manila joyfully returned to the University of Santo Tomas to celebrate its 400th Anniversary. The visited delighted the Thomasian community, as she is the Patroness of the Royal and Pontifical University, which had served as her temporary home during the Japanese invasion.

Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario – La Naval de Manila in her homecoming procession in Intramuros, Manila in 2020.

On January 24-25, 2020, after 67 years since her last visit, the original image of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario – La Naval de Manila returned triumphantly to Intramuros for the Quadricentennial celebrations of Colegio de San Juan de Letran. The homecoming of the Virgin of La Naval filled her devotees and history enthusiasts with excitement, as they hoped to witness and participate in the Santo Rosario’s return to its home in Intramuros. Following the Welcome Mass at the Manila Cathedral and a brief moment of veneration, a solemn procession took place. Letranites, members of the Dominican family, the Rosary Confraternity, clergy, and devotees walked through the historic streets of Intramuros, marking the first procession in 79 years since the Second World War.

Civil and Ecclesiastical Recognition

Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario – La Naval de Manila wearing her Pontifical Coronation regalia

Over the centuries, numerous honors were given to the Virgin of the Roasry – La Naval de Manila in recognition of the miracles and the protection that she gave to her beloved Filipino people.

In an undated 1903 letter to the Archbishop of Manila, the “Rosary” Pope Leo XIII issued an exhortation for people to come in pilgrimage to the Virgin’s shrine in Santo Domingo Church (then in Intramuros): “…Go to the temple of Santo Domingo, to the sanctuary of the excellence of the Most Holy Virgin of the Rosary in the Philippines, to the place where your elders bent their knees to give thanks to her who liberated these Islands from Protestant heresy, to the spot consecrated by the piety of one hundred generations who had gone there to deposit their piety and confidence in Mary most holy.”

The Pontifical Coronation of the Santo Rosario – The First ever in the Philippines and in Asia

Pope St. Pius X authorized granting the statue a canonical crown in 1906, which was bestowed by the Apostolic Delegate to the Philippines, The Most Rev. Ambrose Agius, O.S.B.. The Pontifical Coronation of the Santo Rosario is the first in Philippine Church history and in Asia.

For the Pontifical Coronation of the image, The Filipino nation, some 310,000 individuals, donated and funded the making of the Canonical Crowns for the Santo Rosario image. The precious jewels, gems were donated by the students and faculty of the University of Santo Tomas for the Coronation of October 1907. These form part of the image’s large collection of elaborate jewels some of which date to the 1700s and continuously accumulated to this day.

On the day of the Coronation, October 5, 1907, crowds gathered in the plaza in Intramuros, despite the rains and the it was a jubilant day for her devotees and for the nation that she continuously protect. In 2007, she celebrated the Centenary of the Canonical Coronation with much rejoicing and pomp as the people relived the memory of the said event, especially during its re-enactment.

The Virgin of La Naval during the declaration of her Patronage of Quezon City

By virtue of Resolution No. 9645-S73 issued on August 21, 1973, the City Government of Quezon City designated “Our Lady of the Rosary of La Naval” as the Patroness of Quezon City. To commemorate this significant event, a Holy Mass was conducted on October 12, 1973, coinciding with the 34th Founding Anniversary of Quezon City and publicly petitioned the Church to confirm the resolution on the Virgin’s Patronage over the city.

The following year, St. Paul VI welcomed the petition and on August 26, 1974, the Sacred Congregation for the Divine Worship issued the decree “Caelestium munerum conciliatrix” formalizing the Pope’s approval and grant of the Virgin’s Patronage over Quezon City.

Pope St. John Paul II together with the Virgin of La Naval in 1981

During the Papal Visit of St. John Paul II to the Philippines in 1981, at the presence of the crowd and the original image of the Virgin of La Naval, she was proclaimed 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. The Pontiff blessed the original image the next day in another public Mass.

On the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, September 8, 2023, the Diocese of Cubao issued a declaration to observe the Solemnity of Our Lady of the Rosary – La Naval de Manila throughout its jurisdiction. This declaration aligns with Pope St. Paul VI’s 1974 declaration of the Virgin’s Patronage over Quezon City. Similarly, the previous year, in 2022, the Diocese of Novaliches made a similar pronouncement for the territories of Quezon City under its jurisdiction.

The Solemn Feast and the “Procesion de las Procesiones”

The image of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario – La Naval de Manila leaving Santo Domingo Church for the Grand Procession

Every Second Sunday of October, the vibrant, historic and awe-inspiring La Naval de Manila festivities is much anticipated fiesta and a major highlight of the Month of the Holy Rosary. This sacred event is a grand celebration of faith, devotion, and history, attracting thousands of devotees and curious onlookers alike.

The tradition of the procession of the Virgin traces back to the Spanish period first as a simple procession to repeat the vow of our forefathers until it developed elaborately over the centuries.

At present, the solemn festivities began on the day before the novena with a motorcade of the Vicaria image within the jurisdiction of Santo Domingo Church in the morning which was introduced in 2020. In the afternoon, the solemn enthronement will commence where the original and Pontifically Crowned image of the Virgin of La Naval will come out of her camarin in a short procession at the cloister of Santo Domingo flanked by the Dominican Friars until the Virgin in enthroned at the baldachino at the center that was built for the festivities.

The solemn novena masses will commence the following day with the musical accompaniment by the Tiples de Santo Domingo – the oldest existing boys choir in the Philippines – singing the traditional hymns that are associated with the Santo Rosario from the Inter-Mystery hymns, the “Ynvocacion a la Reina del Santisimo Rosario” and the haunting “Despedida a la Virgen”. On selected novena days, the besamanto will take place to give devotees a chance to have a glimpse of the Santo Rosario up close and personal and whisper their prayers of petition and thanksgiving for the prayers and her maternal intercession to her devotees.

At the solemn and grand fiesta, the historic and much anticipated La Naval Procession takes place. Dubbed as the “Procesion de las Procesiones” (The Procession of all Processions in English which was first used to dub the solemn transfer of the Virgin from UST to the present Santo Domingo Church in 1954) for it grandeur, pomp and solemnity that became the standard in different Marian celebrations in the country.

Decked to her carozza triunfal, adorned with regal vestments and golden crowns, the Great Lady of the Philippines shines with radiance. Her serene yet powerful countenance and presence inspire reverence and devotion among the multitude of faithful who gather to witness her grand procession. Accompanied by a solemn yet joyous procession, the image of La Naval de Manila is accompanied by clergy, religious orders, and numerous devotees. They carry lighted candles and rosaries, their voices lifted in prayer and praise. The streets are transformed into a river of faith as the procession makes its way through the city.

The Image of La Gran Señora de Filipinas is flanked with 27 Dominican Saints led by the first Filipino Saint, St. Lorenzo Ruiz. It is also interesting to note that out of 27 saints of the La Naval Procession, three of them actually venerated the Santo Rosario image themselves before they set sail to Missionary lands of Japan, China and Vietnam.

From left: San Lorenzo Ruiz, San Francisco Capillas, San Vicente Liem dela Paz

St. Lorenzo Ruiz, as a member of the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary, they have monthly gatherings at Sto. Domingo Church in Intramuros, praying the rosary in front of the miraculous image and annual participation in her grand procession before his exile, missionary work and martyrdom in Japan. St. Francisco Capillas is said to be a great devotee to the Santo Rosario that before he left for China, he and his companions chanted the “Despedida a la Virgen” before sailing to China which is commonly practiced by the Dominican Missionaries. St. Vicente Liem de la Paz, as a student of Colegio de San Juan de Letran and later the Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas (then located in Intramuros) for the priesthood, it is believed that he frequented Sto. Domingo Church and venerated the Santo Rosario for her guidance in his studies. He was later ordained a priest and set sail to his homeland in Vietnam and minister to the Christians there until he was captured and executed.

As the solemn procession ends, the Virgin will be enthroned back to her baldachino as the shouts and cries of “Viva la Virgen” and “Viva Virgen de La Naval”. The festivities cap with the offering of the Act of Consecration to the Virgin of La Naval and the singing of “Despedida a la Virgen” which is heightened with the kneeling of the faithful and all those present in the Shrine when the lyrics “… Dame tu Bendicion” is sung asking for the Virgin’s Blessing.

A living legacy of faith

Through the centuries, the Virgin of La Naval continues to lavish her devotees with miracles and her unwavering protection to our country from exterior and interior enemies that will ruin the Church and the nation. The devotion to the Santo Rosario continues to be alive as new traditions and pious practices were introduced as what we have witnessed during the global pandemic between 2020 to 2021 which lead to rediscovery of old pious practices that our ancestors have performed centuries ago under different circumstances that were appropriated to the present time.

Pilgrims continuous to flock at her shrine, clutching their rosaries, seeking the intercession and protection of the Virgin. The Saturday devotions in her honor remain a steadfast tradition. The impact of this devotion is evident, particularly in other regions of the country where the Virgin of La Naval is revered as the patroness. Places like Angeles and Bacolor in Pampanga, San Antonio and San Marcelino in Zambales, and Cavite City in Cavite province bear witness to the influence of this devotion.

Despite all the regalias, the pomp, the pageantry, the thunder, its rich history that surrounds the La Naval that evolved to mythical proportions, she is still a loving mother who cares for her children here on earth to lead us to his Son, the King of Heaven and Earth.

We will close this entry of the La Naval with the words of Archbishop Socrates Villegas on his meditations to the La Naval:

“How much is La Naval de Manila worth? Her worth can only be understood and valued in heaven. No jeweler, no sculptor, no embroiderer, no man or woman, no friar or priest, no child or parent, no one can ever grasp her value and her worth. … How can you measure the worth of your mother? How can you measure how much is the Mother of the Lord? The mystery of La Naval de Manila is too much to grasp here on earth. The mystery of La Naval de Manila is heavenly. Her worth is heavenly,”

References:

“Anales Ecclesiasticos de Philipinas”, Archdiocese of Manila Archives, Arzobispado de Manila, intramuros, Manila, 1995.

Aviado, Lutgarda, “Madonnas of the Philippines”, Manlapaz Press, Quezon City, 1972.

Barcelona, Mary Anne; Estepa, Consuelo, “Ynang Maria: A Celebration of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Philippines”. Anvil Publishing, 2004.

Cortez, O.P., Regino, “The Story of La Naval”. Santo Domingo Church, Quezon City, 1998.

Darang, Josephine, “A Purely Personal book of Miracles: A Collection of Columns published by Philippine Daily Inquirer”, Sound Publishing Corporation, Makati City, 2006.

Lomague, Mervin, OP, “La Naval is “Ina ng Letran””, Retreived from https://www.facebook.com/100000598407011/posts/10157250446297637/ on January 28, 2020.

Malabanan, James Benedict, “Bienvenida a la Virgen: The Virgin of La Naval de Manila’s homecoming to Intramuros – An eyewitness testimony”, Retrieved from https://pintakasiph.wordpress.com/2020/01/30/bienvenida-a-la-virgen-the-virgin-of-la-naval-de-manilas-homecoming-to-intramuros-an-eyewitness-testimony/ on May 20, 2023.

“Novena a la mas fragante Rosa del Paradiso de Dios Maria Santisima del Rosario. La Consagra a la Milagrosa Imagen Nstra. Sra. del Rosario El Convento de N.P. Sto. Domingo de Manila”, Manila, Tip. Pont. de la Universidad de Santo Tomás, Manila, 1925.

“Novena to Our Lady of the Rosary, La Naval de Manila”, National Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary, La Naval de Manila, Quezon City, 2007.

Pablo Fernandez, “Dominicos donde nace el sol: Historia de la provincia del Santisimo Rosario de Filipinas de la Orden de Predicadores”, Quezon City: Convento de Santo Domingo, 1958.

Sanchez, Francisco, “La Virgen Maria Venerada en sus Imagenes Filipinas“, Manila: Imp. De Santos y Bernal, 1904.

“The Rosary Virgin in Letran Chapel” Letran News Vol. XVII, No. 12, February 10, 1953.

Zulueta, Lito (Ed.), “The Saga of La Naval: Triumph of People’s Faith”. Sta. Mesa Heights, Quezon City: Dominican Province of the Philippines, Inc., 2007.

Photos:

Bernardo, Fritz Rinaldi
Castro, Alex
Choia, Davy
Daquioag, Michael of Buen Viaje PH
Malabanan, James Benedict
Lomague, Mervin

+AM+DG+