The objects of our devotion

A predominantly Roman Catholic country, the Philippines wears its religion on its sleeve. Rosaries hang from rear view mirrors, altars are commonly found in homes, schools and offices, and masses are held every Sunday, even in shopping malls. 

 

But the extent of Filipino devotion is best seen during certain times of the year, when millions of the faithful gather to pay homage to religious images, which they believe to be miraculous. 

 

In sunshine and rain, up mountains and across the sea, no obstacles can keep devotees from visiting the following objects of Catholic devotion.

 

1. Black Nazarene

 

One of the biggest Catholic traditions in the country, millions of devotees gather in Manila in the hopes of touching the Black Nazarene, a life-sized statue of Christ which is believed to have been brought from Mexico to Manila in 1606 by Spanish missionaries.

 

The ship that carried it reportedly caught fire, but the statue, although charred, survived. It was then called the "Black Nazarene" after the statue was charred.

 

The statue survived fires and earthquakes through the centuries, and intense bombings during World War II.

 

The statue has been housed at Saint John the Baptist Church in Quiapo since 1787, and for more than two centuries the church has been pulling it through the streets on a gilded carriage every January. 

 

Because of the volume of people, there are many losses and injuries, but this does not discourage the crowds from coming every year. Many of them bring their own replicas, and queue for hours for the "Pahalik, " which allows devotees to touch the foot of the statue.

 

Barefoot devotees shout "Viva Senor," while trying to get near the image of the Black Nazarene, in the hope of receiving miracles. 

 

This year, the Feast of the Black Nazarene is on Monday, Jan. 9. Mammoth crowds defied a terrorist threat and joined the activities in Manila, from the Pahalik to the procession.

 

2. Santo Niño

 

A must-see in Cebu, the colorful Sinulog festival is held annually on the third Sunday of January to honor the Santo Niño. The Child Jesus used to be the patron saint of the whole province, and to this day Cebuanos still celebrate this dance ritual that honors the Filipino's pagan past and embraces their Christianity.

 

According to historical accounts, when the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived in 1521, he presented a wooden Santo Niño to the wife of Rajah Humabon, Cebu's chieftain. This image became the symbol of friendship between the natives and the Spanish conquerors, who converted most of the country to Christianity.

 

The statue was housed in the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño and San Nicholas de Tolentino church, and is brought out in a fluvial parade every year during the Sinulog, which translates to "graceful dance."

 

The cultural event has since become a tourist attraction, where contingents from all over the country arrive in Cebu to take part in the festivities, which include a short film festival, a photo contest, a football cup and a trade fair.

 

3. Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage

 

Every year in May, thousands of people go up the hills of Antipolo to pay homage to the Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buenviaje, the brown image of the Blessed Virgin, which is believed to protect travelers from harm.

 

Over the years, the National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage has become one of the most popular stops for devotees completing the Visita Iglesia, a Holy Week tradition among Filipino Catholics done by visiting seven churches and shrines to pray and reflect on the passion and death of Jesus.

 

According to an article on the city's commercial website, devotion to Nuestra Senora de la Paz y Buenviaje began in 1626, when Don Juan Niño de Tabora arrived safely from Mexico after three months, braving stormy seas and a fire aboard the galleon El Almirante. Believing that the galleon's safe and successful journey was due to the presence of the image on board the ship, the governor called for the celebration of the image's arrival in Manila.

 

After the governor's death in 1632, the image was placed in the care of the Jesuit fathers. Attempts to move the image from the Church of Antipolo were futile, as the holy image would always be found on the trunk of a tree called the Tipolo, which grew on the original site of the old church. A pedestal was carved out of the trunk of the tree, and since then, the Blessed Virgin became locally known as the Virgin of Antipolo.

 

During the Japanese occupation, the image was evacuated to the mountains of Angono in Rizal province, then to Santolan. Despite steep mountain trails, those who journeyed with the Brown Virgin felt safe throughout their trip.

 

On October 15, 1945, it was returned to its original and permanent sanctuary at the Church of Antipolo. 

 

4. Our Lady of Peñafrancia 

 

Devotion to Mother Mary is also strong outside Manila, especially in Bicol where Catholics have been celebrating Our Lady of Peñafrancia for three hundred years.

 

The origins of the Holy Image are not entirely certain. One belief is the image came from a pineapple, because the native word for the fruit is “pinya,” which sounds like Peña. According to the history of Our Lady of Penafrancia, the original image was discovered buried in the slopes of Sierra de Francia, a mountain range between Salamanca and Caceres in Spain.

 

In 1710, Father Miguel de Covarubias asked a local sculptor in Naga City to carve a statue patterned after the image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, who the priest had been devoted to since he was a boy.

 

There have been many reports of miracles through the intercession of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, and she was proclaimed Patroness of Bicolandia on September 2, 1924.

 

Bicolanos have kept the faith for the Blessed Virgin, whom they lovingly refer to as "Ina," meaning mother.

 

Every year, devotees gather at the Basilica Minore in Naga City to honor their Ina with festivities that last the whole month of September. 

 

5. Our Lady of Manaoag

 

Four centuries ago, the church of Our Lady of Manaoag was established in Manaoag, Pangasinan.

 

Ten years later, Padre Juan de San Jacinto brought the ivory image of the Blessed Mother Mary to the Philippines from Spain. 

 

Some people believe the Blessed Mother herself designated the church's location, which has survived historical events and natural disasters for 400 years. Addressed as Apo Baket by locals, Our Lady of Manaoag is believed to grant the prayer requests of the sick and the needy.

 

The Canonical Coronation of Our Lady of Manaoag was held in April 1926, and a decade later the sanctuary of Manaoag was given the Merit of Recognition by the Philippine Historical Research and Markers Committee.

 

Since 1972, the shrine has been under the administration and care of Filipino Dominicans.

 

Pilgrims make the trip to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag all year round, but every first Sunday of October and third Wednesday after Easter Sunday, a nine-day Novena Mass is held leading up to the Fiesta proper on the tenth day. –KG, GMA News