Category Archives: Philippine Catholic Church

Holy Week in the Philippines is one of the most interesting and colorful religious events in the country because the different practices and devotions from different parts of the country can be seen with their local flavor – a usual sight given the Lenten season’s somber nature. One of the notable of these Holy Week traditions is the processions that are held as early as Holy Monday (even Palm Sunday in some places) and it culminates in the burial procession of Good Friday.

Each city, town, or province has its unique way of holding such processions which adds to the cultural identity of the locale that it became a sight to behold and in some way a tourist and pilgrimage attraction over the years.

For this blog post, we are going to delve deeper into one of the most celebrated and colorful Lenten Tradition in the country that gives off a mix of passion, emotion, pageantry, and evangelization to the onlookers and the faithful alike – the Holy Week processions. We are attempting to trace how the tradition began in Europe and how it arrived and developed in the Philippines along with the evolution of its observance and the current lineup of holy images that are winding the streets in the country during the most somber Liturgical Season in the Liturgical Calendar.

Processions as Catechesis

The Semana Santa processions [Holy Week processions] have been an important part of Hispanic religious and cultural heritage for centuries. The processions are held during the week leading up to Easter Sunday, and they commemorate the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The origins of Holy Week processions can be traced back to the Middle Ages when the Church sought to communicate the central themes of the Christian faith to the largely illiterate population. Through the use of images, music, and ritual, the Church aimed to convey the story of Christ’s suffering and sacrifice to the masses.

Over time, the Holy Week processions evolved into elaborate displays of artistry and devotion, with each locale in different parts of the world developing its unique traditions and styles. In some areas, the processions are characterized by solemn, silent marches through the streets, while in others they are marked by vibrant displays of color, music, and pageantry.

One of the most significant aspects of Holy Week processions is how they bring to life the events of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through elaborate displays, tableaux, and reenactments, these processions help to make these events more tangible and real for believers and help them to better understand the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice.

At the same time, Holy Week processions also serve as a powerful meditative tool for many people. As they walk through the streets, often in silence or with solemn music playing, believers can reflect on the meaning of Jesus’ sacrifice and contemplate their own lives in light of his teachings. This can be a deeply spiritual and transformative experience, helping people to deepen their faith and develop a stronger connection to God.

The Holy Week Procession in the Philippines at present

When Christianity was introduced by the Spanish missionaries in our country 500 years ago, the missionaries utilized sacred images to evangelize the natives. One of the earliest known recorded Holy Week processions in the country was documented in Relacion de las Islas Filipinas by Rev. Fr. Pedro Chirino, SJ published in 1606 it described the Holy Week procession in Leyte with a penitential character with the presence of flagellants and penitents.

Just like in Spain, confraternities were established to help in organizing Holy Week processions, notable of which were the Cofradia de Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno of the Augustinian Recollects and that in San Roque Parish, Cavite City of the same name, and the Hermandad del Santo Entierro y Virgen de la Soledad of the Dominicans. In the Baculo de Parrochos y Ministros of the Franciscans published in 1686, the Franciscans documented the different practices that existed in their mission territories, including the Holy Tuesday Via Crucis procession called Estacion General which featured images of the Jesus Nazareno, Mater Dolorosa, San Juan Evangelista, and Sta. Veronica and the Good Friday funeral procession that is held by sundown with the image of the Santo Entierro. 

It was during this time that prominent families were the ones who would help in organizing these processions from the commissioning of images, the decorations for the andas or carroza to be used up to the feeding of the carroza pullers or andas bearers after the procession for the Caridad. It was from this situation that the landed gentry and affluent families would a lot a portion of their land or businesses dedicated and named after the Holy Week Santo or pasos which its income will be used for the expenses needed for the image’s salida (processional outing).

The pasos and Santos that are commissioned during that time were based on Sacred Scripture and Tradition, the Pasyong Mahal, the traditional Via Crucis, and the Mysteries of the Rosary.

As time passed by, the Holy Week processions become more elaborate and at times excessive that synods were held in Manila in 1771 and Calasiao, Pangasinan in 1773 respectively, and the publication of the Manual de Sacerdotes para uso de los parrocos y demas que desempeñan e sagrado ministerio en Filipinas by three Archbishops of Manila to address these concerns and impose regulations to keep the solemnity and penitential character of the Holy Week processions.

Even with the arrival of Protestantism in the Philippines during the American period, the Holy Week processions were not affected and by this time, the Holy Week processions became more widespread as the Aglipayan Church would also stage such processions that can still be seen to this day.

During the Second World War, the Holy Week processions were halted as numerous churches, homes, and towns were destroyed, which includes several Holy Week processional images, and carozzas and the people fled to the mountains to escape. As the War ended, the Filipino faithful painstakingly took their time to revive this beautiful tradition that survived to this present day.

Today, several lay groups and families would still participate and organize Holy Week processions and with the advent of the Internet and Social Media age, paired with economic developments in recent years, owning Holy Week images became possible for the burgeoning working and middle-class and to a younger age demographic that consequently introduced more Holy Week pasos and Santos.

It is during this internet and social media age that the pasos and Santos that are commissioned, apart from the aforementioned traditional sources, more references became more available from the pasos of the Semana Santa processions in Seville and Malaga in Spain, mystical writings of different saints and blesseds, most specifically those of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, that lead to the multiplication of Holy Week santos and pasos in the country.

It is also noticeable in recent years is the inclusion of the other apostles in the procession appeared in recent decades. Although it is a known fact that the remaining 10 apostles hid for their lives during Christ’s Passion as it is recorded in the four canonical Gospels, their martyrdom after Our Lord’s Resurrection merited their share to the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. On the other hand, the presence on the two other Evangelists St. Mark and St. Luke the Evangelist are also noticeable in the modern Holy Week processions in the Philippines to honor them in writing the Passion narrative in their Gospels that we read in the Canonical Scriptures, along with those of St. Matthew the Apostle and St. John the Evangelist.

However, a such dramatic increase of pasos and Santos caused some concerns to the faithful and the clergy due to a lack of research, understanding of the tradition (even on the narrative), unnecessary excess, and commissioning images of saints that are not venerated in the Catholic Church which can lead to heresy. To address this growing concern, some dioceses and scholars issued updated guidelines and books on Holy Week processions to properly guide camareros (image owners/caretakers) and parishes in holding Holy Week processions.

Up to this day, the Holy Week Processions in the Philippines continues to be one of the biggest procession in the country and still holds significance in our culture to this day.

The current Lenten and Holy Week processions formats and when would it start varies on which day it begins as some parishes, shrines, and community chapels would have a Viernes de Dolores Processions in honor of the Our Lady of Sorrows and some would have images of Our Lord entering triumphantly entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday during the blessing and procession of palms.

In some parts of the country, from Holy Monday up to Holy Wednesday, the Estacion General processions feature different scenes of Our Lord’s Ministry and Passion and Via Crucis Processions, where people visit different altars representing the stages of Jesus’ crucifixion takes place.

On Good Friday, the most solemn day of the Holy Week, the funeral procession of the Santo Entierro takes place which often features some scenes of the Passion and Saints that were present during the Passion. After the funeral procession, the Procession of the Virgen de la Soledad follows to honor the Blessed Mother in her times of sorrow and solitude after the death and burial of her Son.

There were instances that the Estacion General would also take place on Good Friday due to different circumstances from economic to pastoral reasons to allow the faithful to participate and witness the processions.

The Passion Comes to life

The following images that we are presenting in this blog post are the Holy Week pasos and saints that can be seen in the modern-day Semana Santa Processions all over the country from past to present. The images are arranged based from the manuals and books that are published from different diocese and parishes in the country and books dedicated for pastoral guidance regarding Holy Week Processions.

La Muerte

In some parts of the country like in Cebu, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes and Cavite City, the image of “La Muerte” (Spanish term for “Death”) leads the Good Friday procession. The allegorical image serves as a macabre yet realistic reminder to the faithful of its mortality as the procession continues. The image also shows how death was defeated with the triumph of Our Lord Jesus Christ by His glorious Resurrection and transformed as the beginning of eternal life.

To learn more about the actual purpose of this image and its history, you can check this feature here.

San Marcos Evangelista

Feast: April 25
Iconography: quill, book, scroll, lion

St. Mark the Evangelist is known as one of the four Gospel writers and is also considered a disciple of Jesus. Among the four canonical Gospels, his Gospel is the shortest and is believed to have been the first one written. He was a follower of Saint Peter the Apostle and accompanied Saint Paul the Apostle on one of his missionary journeys. According to tradition, he preached in Alexandria and was dragged by the people with a rope tied around his neck. His symbol is a lion, as his Gospel begins with John the Baptist preaching and roaring like a lion in the wilderness.

San Lucas Evangelista

Feast: October 18
Iconography: quill, book, scroll, bull

St. Luke the Evangelist, recognized as one of the Gospel writers and a disciple of Jesus, depicted Jesus as a savior for all, including the marginalized. He authored not only the Gospel but also the Acts of the Apostles. Besides being a physician, he was also believed to be an artist, credited with painting several icons of Mary scattered across Europe and Asia. His Gospel opens inside the temple where oxen are offered, leading to the use of the ox as his symbol.

Ang Pagbibinyag kay Hesus

Feast: Sunday after Epiphany of the Lord (Novus Ordo Calendar), January 12 (Traditional Calendar)

The Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ at the Jordan River marked the beginning of His public ministry. Jesus asked to be baptized by His cousin St. John the Baptist. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he came up out of the water. Heaven was opened and he saw the spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. Then a voice said from heaven, “This is my Beloved son with whom I am pleased.”

Ang Panunukso kay Hesus sa Disyerto

At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights and afterward was hungry. The tempter approached him to do three things: to make bread in the wilderness, jump from the temple to perform a Messianic sign in the temple, and take the kingdom by force. Throughout His temptation, Jesus maintained His integrity by holding firm against all Satan threw at Him. Because He was tempted as we are, He is able to understand what we face. He is also a powerful example of how to overcome the temptations and testing that comes our way.

This particular episode in the Life of Christ is read every First Sunday of Lent both in the Ordinary and Extraordinary Form of the Mass. The devil in this tableaux can be depicted either in the typical depiction of a demon in art or an allegorical snake (in allusion to the episode of the Fall of Adam and Eve) or a figure dressed in long black attire with a menacing face.

La Samaritana

As Jesus and his disciples are traveling from Jerusalem in the south to Galilee in the north. To make their journey shorter, they take the quickest route, through Samaria. Tired and thirsty, Jesus sat by Jacob’s well while his disciples went to the village of Sychar to buy food. It was about noon, a Samaritan woman came to the well to draw water. During his encounter with the woman at the well, Jesus broke three Jewish customs which shocked the Samaritan woman. Jesus told the woman he could give her “living water” as a gift from God so that she would never thirst again. Jesus used the words living water to refer to eternal life, the gift that would satisfy her soul’s desire. Jesus revealed that he knew her liaisons that got her attention. The two discussed their views on worship, and the woman voiced her belief that the Messiah was coming. Jesus answered, “I who speak to you am He.” As the woman began to grasp the reality of her encounter with Jesus, the disciples returned. Jesus stayed two days, teaching the Samaritan people about the Kingdom of God. When he left, the people told the woman, “… we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the savior of the world.” This narrative is read on one Lenten Sundays.

By tradition, the Samaritan Woman is identified as St. Photina. Tradition has it that after her conversion, years later, she was martyred by being thrown into a well. Her name was listed in the old Roman Martyrology on March 20 but later omitted in the current edition.

Ang Pagbabagong anyo sa Bundok Tabor

Feast: August 6

Our Lord Jesus Christ took three of his disciples, Peter, James, and John, up on a mountain to pray. After some time, Moses and Elijah appeared and Jesus was transfigured, his face and clothes becoming dazzlingly bright. Peter suggested building three shelters, one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. He was so terrified he did not know what he was saying. Then a bright cloud enveloped all of them, and from it, a voice said: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” (Matthew 17:5, NIV) The disciples fell to the ground, paralyzed with fear, but when they looked up, only Jesus was present, returned to his normal appearance. He told them not to be afraid. On the way down the mountain, Jesus commanded his three followers not to speak of the vision to anyone until he had risen from the dead.

Ang pabubuhay kay San Lazaro

The Gospel of St. John notes that Jesus loved Lazarus and his sisters and that when Lazarus died of illness, Jesus wept and was “greatly disturbed.” Although Lazarus had been entombed for four days by the time Jesus arrived at Bethany, he was raised by Jesus from the dead and emerged from the tomb wearing his burial cloths. This miracle, witnessed by many Jews who had come to grieve with the family, inspired many to believe in Jesus as the Christ.

San Lazaro de Betania

Feast: July 29
Iconography: Crozier, book, sheets of white cloth

St. Lazarus of Bethany, the sibling of Martha and Mary, resided in Bethany, a place near Jerusalem. He was famously resurrected by Our Lord Jesus Christ, but there is no mention of his life after this event in the New Testament. Nevertheless, various traditions have survived. According to one such tradition, Lazarus, along with his sisters, Martha and Mary, traveled to France where he became the first bishop of Marseilles before being martyred. In other accounts, Lazarus and his sisters journeyed to Cyprus where he became the bishop of Kition or Lamaka. Another legend claims that he went to Syria.

La Despedida

This touching scene was not recorded in the Scriptures, yet it is handed over by tradition and through writings from numerous mystics from their mystical visions on the Life of Christ. It is said that Our Lord Jesus Christ says farewell to his mother Mary, before leaving for his final journey to Jerusalem, which he knows will lead to his Passion and death; indeed this scene marks the beginning of his Passion. The scene can be often seen in Passion plays, religious art, and processions.

Ang pagpasok ni Hesus sa Jerusalem

On the Sunday before his death, Jesus began his trip to Jerusalem, knowing that soon he would lay down his life for our sins. Nearing the village of Bethphage, he sent two of his disciples ahead, telling them to look for a donkey and its unbroken colt. The disciples were instructed to untie the animals and bring them to him. Then Jesus sat on the young donkey and slowly, humbly, made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, fulfilling the ancient prophecy in Zechariah 9:9: “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” The crowds welcomed him by waving palm branches in the air and shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

This image of Our Lord on a donkey holding a palm often appears during Palm Sunday Rites either enshrined at the parish or in procession with the priest for the blessing and procession of palms and the Estacion General processions.

Ang Pagtangis ni Hesus (Dominus Flevit)

After Jesus goes down the road of the Mount of Olives, He then began to descend into the Valley of Kidron where He had a panoramic view of the entire city. As He looked down on the city, He burst into tears. Jesus shed tears over the spiritual blindness of the people of Jerusalem and mourned for the future he foresaw for the city, which included suffering and slaughter under Roman rule.

A Church was built in the Holy Land on the place where it is believed where He wept for Jerusalem.

Ang paghuhugas ng paa sa Panginoong Hesukristo

While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, St. Mary of Bethany came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. Mary laid her woman’s honor at the feet of Jesus. She used her hair as a towel to wipe Jesus’ feet. When the disciples saw this, Judas Iscariot was indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.” In St. Matthew and St. Mark’s Gospel accounts, they emphasize the prophetic significance of the anointing of Jesus, alluding to His death and burial. There may also be an implication of Jesus’ kingship, since, in the Old Testament, the anointing of the head was often associated with the dedication of kings.

Ang Paglilinis ni Hesus sa Templo ng Herusalem

Jesus Christ and his disciples journeyed to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of Passover. They found the sacred city of God overflowing with thousands of pilgrims and saw money changers, along with merchants who were selling animals for sacrifice. Pilgrims carried coins from their hometowns, most bearing the images of Roman emperors or Greek gods, which Temple authorities considered idolatrous. Jesus was so filled with anger at the desecration of the holy place turning it into “a den of thieves” and “a house of trade” that he took some cords and wove them into a small whip. He ran about, knocking over the tables of the money changers, spilling coins on the ground. He drove the exchangers out of the area, along with the men selling pigeons and cattle. As he cleansed the Temple of greed and profit, Jesus quoted from Isaiah 56:7: “My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you make it a den of robbers.” (Matthew 21:13) The common people were impressed by Jesus’ teaching, but the chief priests and scribes feared him because of his popularity. They began to plot a way to destroy Jesus.

Ang Paghuhgas ng Paa ni Hesus sa mga Apostoles

From Bethany, Jesus sent Peter and John ahead to the Upper Room in Jerusalem to make the preparations for the Passover Feast. That evening after sunset, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples as they prepared to share in the Passover. By performing this humble act of service, Jesus demonstrated by example how believers should love one another. Today, many churches practice foot-washing ceremonies as a part of the ​Maundy Thursday liturgy.

Ang Huling Hapunan

The Last Supper is the meal that Jesus shared with his disciples after his triumphant entry into Jerusalem during the Passover. As the Lamb of God, Jesus was about to fulfill the meaning of Passover by giving his body to be broken and his blood to be shed in sacrifice, freeing us from sin and death. He established the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, instructing his followers to continually remember his sacrifice by sharing in the elements of bread and wine. At that same supper, Jesus announces that one of his disciples will betray him. After they finished eating, He told His Apostles that they should love one another as He had loved them. If they did this, people would know they were His disciples. He said that if the Apostles loved Him, they would keep His commandments. He promised them the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Santa Maria, Ina ni Juan Marcos

Feast: June 29
Iconography: Chalice and Keys

St. Mary, Mother of John Mark (also known as Mary of Jerusalem or of Cyprus), was a follower of Jesus and is considered to be the mother of Saint Mark the Evangelist. According to a popular belief, she was the proprietor of the house where the Last Supper was held and where the Holy Spirit descended. In the Acts of the Apostles, it is mentioned that Peter visited her house after being released from prison by an angel. Her name was listed in the old Roman Martyrology, but it was later removed during the revisions made in light of the Second Vatican Council.

San Pedro Apostol

Feasts: June 29 (Solemnity), February 22 – The Chair of St. Peter, August 1 – St. Peter in chains (Traditional Calendar)
Iconography: Rooster, keys

St. Peter, who is also known as Simon Peter of Cephas, is commonly recognized as the leader of Jesus’ twelve Apostles and the initial bishop of Rome. When Peter met Jesus, he immediately recognized Him as the Messiah. Likewise, Jesus knew from the start that Peter would be the foundation of the Church. Peter was present at significant events in Christ’s public life, along with two other apostles. He is often depicted beside a rooster, which symbolizes his three-time denial of Jesus before the rooster crowed. After the Resurrection, Jesus gave Peter three chances to profess his love and loyalty, thereby counterbalancing his previous denials. It was then that Jesus confirmed Peter as the leader of the Church. Consequently, Peter became the first Pope in an uninterrupted line of Catholic Church leaders. He was martyred in Rome, specifically at Vatican Hill, which is now the site of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Traditionally, the image of St. Peter comes first in the Holy Week Processions, especially on Good Friday. Although it may not be historically accurate, his repentance embodies the spirit of Lent that invites the people to reflect.

Santiago Mayor

Feast: July 25
Iconography: Scallop

St. James, who was the son of Zebedee and the brother of John, is sometimes referred to as “Great” or “Elder” to differentiate him from the other apostle named James. He was among the three apostles who were present at three significant events – the raising of Jairus’ daughter, the transfiguration, and the agony in the garden. According to tradition, he preached the Gospel in Spain and was visited by the Blessed Virgin Mary as Our Lady of the Pillar. James was the first apostle to be martyred, and his martyrdom is the only one recorded in the Bible. He is usually depicted wearing a scallop necklace and holding a staff with a gourd water container, which are symbols of pilgrims, as his shrine in Santiago de Compostela in Spain is a renowned pilgrimage destination.

Santiago Menor

Feast: May 3 (May 1 in the Traditional Calendar)
Iconography: Club, a book or scroll

St. James, who was the son of Alpheus and one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, is referred to as “Less” or “Younger” to distinguish him from the other James. Although he is rarely mentioned in the Gospels, he wrote a letter that is now included in the Bible. In this letter, he emphasizes that faith without works is essentially dead. According to tradition, James was killed by being hurled from a tower and then clubbed to death. He is often depicted carrying a book or scroll because of the epistle he authored in the Bible.

San Felipe

Feast: May 3 (May 1 in the Traditional Calendar)
Iconography: Cross, bread

Saint Philip the Apostle was among the twelve disciples of Christ, and he is known for his role in asking Jesus how to feed the 5,000 and to reveal the Father, which prompted Jesus to explain that He and the Father are one. Like his fellow apostles, Philip preached the Gospel and ultimately met a martyr’s death, having been crucified. Interestingly, Philip is also revered as the patron saint of pastry chefs.

San Andres

Feast: November 30
Iconography: fish, x-shaped cross

St. Andrew was a member of the original twelve apostles of Christ and was referred to as the “Protokletos” or “First to be Called.” He was the brother of St. Peter and famously provided the fish and loaves for the feeding of the multitude. According to tradition, he was imprisoned for preaching the Gospel and ultimately met his death by crucifixion on an x-shaped cross. Even as he hung on the cross, he preached the word of God for three days straight without interruption. St. Andrew is venerated as the patron saint of fishermen, and interestingly, also of those with sore throats and the Patron of Manila.

Santo Tomas

Feast: July 3
Iconography: spear

Saint Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Christ, gained notoriety for initially doubting the resurrection of Jesus, but later affirmed his belief after touching the wounds on Jesus’ hands and side. It is believed that he preached the Gospel in India, where he was ultimately martyred for his faith by being speared to death. He is recognized as the patron saint of architects.

San Bartolome

Feast: August 24
Iconography: knife, skin

St. Bartholomew, recognized as one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, was thought by some to be Nathanael, whom Christ described as the “True Israelite” due to his candid nature. It is said that he preached in Armenia before being apprehended, flayed alive, and ultimately decapitated. He is venerated as the patron saint of exorcists, tanners, and shoemakers.

San Judas Tadeo

Feast: October 28
Iconography: The Mandylion or a Medal of the Holy Face of Jesus, a club, a scroll

St. Jude, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and a close relative of Him, is credited with authoring one of the epistles in the New Testament. According to tradition, he preached in Libya and Armenia and possessed the Mandylion of Edessa, which bears the imprint of Jesus’ face. It is believed that Jesus sent St. Jude to the King of Edessa, who was healed after being presented with the cloth. St. Jude’s martyrdom is said to have involved either beheading or being clubbed to death. He is venerated as the patron saint of desperate cases, alongside St. Rita of Cascia.

Feast: October 28
Iconography: Saw

St. Simon, known as the “Zealot,” was among the twelve apostles of Jesus, who was believed to be a member of a political group that aimed to remove the Romans from Palestine. Although the Bible doesn’t mention much about him, tradition states that he was martyred together with St. Jude, and was sawn in half. He is now venerated as the patron saint of lumberjacks.

San Mateo

Feast: September 21
Iconography: a quill, a book or scroll, an angel

St. Matthew, one of the twelve apostles and a Gospel writer, was the son of Alpheus and likely born in Galilee. Despite working as a tax collector, which was a reviled profession during Christ’s time, he was called by Jesus with a simple request to “Follow me.” Matthew became a disciple and chronicled Christ’s deeds and teachings in his gospel. After Christ’s Ascension, between 41 and 50 AD, Matthew penned his account in Aramaic, hoping to persuade his people that Jesus was the Messiah and that His kingdom was fulfilled spiritually, open to all who come to God through Him.

El Oracion en el Huerto

On this occasion, Jesus’ human nature and his divine nature are clearly seen. After the Last Supper, Jesus goes with his apostles to the Garden of Gethsemane, an olive tree plantation. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John further into the garden with him. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was pressed with the extreme pressure of his suffering for all of us that his blood, oozed from his pores. An angel came from heaven to strengthen him. During his agony as he prayed, “His sweat was, as it were, great drops of blood falling down upon the ground” (Luke 22:44).

El Beso de Judas Iscariote

Late that evening in Gethsemane, Jesus was betrayed with a kiss by Judas Iscariot who addressed him as “rabbi” to reveal his identity in the darkness to the crowd who had come to arrest him. Judas betrayed Our Lord for thirty pieces of silver which is a proverb in many modern languages. It refers to someone who has sold out and taken money, high office, or personal gain in exchange for betraying a person or an important cause. According to the Gospel of Matthew, Judas immediately regretted his actions and returned the 30 pieces of silver to church authorities, and committed suicide. In this paso, Judas is portrayed kissing Our Lord holding a bag of thirty pieces of silver alluding to his betrayal.

Ang Pagdakip kay Hesus

Jesus was arrested by the Temple guards of the Sanhedrin in the Garden of Gethsemane. The arrest led immediately to his trial before the Sanhedrin, during which they condemned him to death and handed him to Pilate the following morning. The Gospel of John specifies that was Peter wounded an officer servant of Caiaphas, the High Priest of Israel. St. Luke adds in his account that Jesus healed the wound. Jesus criticized the violent act of Peter that made the well-known statement “All who live by the sword, shall die by the sword”

Si Hesus sa harapan ni Annas

Although Caiaphas was the properly appointed high priest, Annas, being his father-in-law and a former incumbent of the office, undoubtedly exercised a great deal of the power attached to the position. According to the Gospel of John, Jesus was first brought before Annas, and after a brief questioning of him (John 18:19–23) was sent to the home of Caiaphas, where some members of the Sanhedrin had met, and where in Matthew’s account the first trial of Jesus took place.

Si Hesus sa harapan ni Caiphas at ng Sanhedrin

From Annas, Jesus was sent to the house of Caiaphas, the high priest, and the Sanhedrin broke Jewish customs to hold a hearing and decide Jesus’s fate. They said, “If you are the Messiah, tell us,” but he replied to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I question, you will not respond. But from this time on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied to them, “You say that I am.” Then they said, “What further need have we for testimony? We have heard it from his own mouth.” They charged Jesus with blasphemy and were later sent to Herod.

Ang Pagtatuwa ni San Pedro kay Hesus

Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. One of the maids came over to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it in front of everyone, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about!” As he went out to the gate, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus the Nazorean.” Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man!” A little later the bystanders came over and said to Peter, “Surely you too are one of them; even your speech gives you away.” At that, he began to curse and swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately a cock crowed. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the cock crows you will deny me three times.” He went out and began to weep bitterly. (Matthew 26: 69-75)

Si Hesus sa harapan ni Pilato

The chief priests with the elders and the scribes, that is, the whole Sanhedrin, held a council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate questioned him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He said to him in reply, “You say so.” The chief priests accused him of many things. Again Pilate questioned him, “Have you no answer? See how many things they accuse you of.” Jesus gave him no further answer so Pilate was amazed. (Mark 15: 1-5) Pilate sent Jesus to Herod Antipas because he was a Galilean.

Si Hesus sa harapan ni Herodes

When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. 9 So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11 And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. 12 And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they 0had been at enmity with each other. (Luke 23: 8 – 12)

Ang Ikalawang Pagharap ni Hesus kay Pilato

Pilate who then calls together the Court elders, and says to them: “I having examined him before you, found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him: no, nor yet Herod: for he sent him back unto us; and behold, nothing worthy of death hath been done by him.” Pilate’s wife Claudia Procula begged him to release Jesus after a dream. He later present Jesus and Barabbas and asked whom should he release. The Chief priests and elders persuaded the crowd against Jesus. Pilate asked the crowd and they shouted Barabbas as the one to be released and Jesus to be crucified. Pilate washed his hands of guilt and said: ‘I’m innocent of this man’s blood, it’s your responsibility!’ The crowd responded: “His blood is on us and on our children!” Pilate released Barabbas and had Jesus scourged.

Ang paghahampas sa haliging bato

It is fairly clear that Pontius Pilate tried to save Jesus by offering the crowd an unattractive alternative, Barabbas. As we know, this ploy failed. He had Jesus savagely flogged and then paraded before the crowd in an attempt to gain pity. It was clear to him, and he reasoned it should be clear to the crowd, that this pitiable object before them could not be taken seriously as a king. Scourging was a brutal punishment, but it was standard practice before a crucifixion. The whip, the flagellum, had several thongs, each one of which had pieces of bone or metal attached. It made a bloody pulp of a man’s body.

Señor Desmayado

The image of the Señor Desmayado (the Fainting Lord in Spanish) depicts Our Lord Jesus Christ of Christ sprawled and tied to a column exhausted, writhing on the floor, his left arm tied to a pillar by the wrist, his body bloodied and covered with welts. Christ’s s eyes are drawn up in supplication, his mouth agape, grimacing from his indescribable torture.

Often times the Señor Desmayado is shown as a solitary image or accompanied by soldiers to mock him or angels to console him.

Ang pagpuputong ng Koronang tinik

After the soldiers had flogged Jesus, they engaged in some brutal horseplay with their helpless prisoner. They set about playing out a grotesque charade in which Jesus was a royal king – of sorts. They wove spiky twigs into a rough crown of thorns and set it on his head. The ‘crown of thorns may have been meant more as mockery than torture. Once they had crowned their ‘king’ they draped a scarlet cloak around his shoulders. And they spat upon him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. No doubt there was a great deal of cruel laughter at the expense of their victim, as they hit him with reed canes, mocking his helplessness. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe, and put his own clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him.

Ang Paghuhula at Paglilibak kay Hesus

The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. They blindfolded him and demanded, “Prophecy! Who hit you?” And they said many other insulting things to him. (Luke 22:63-65)
Señor de la Paciencia

One of the most moving images processioned during the Lenten season is the image of a seated Christ, right after he was scourged, crowned, cloaked, and mocked. On a low stone seat, an exhausted Jesus sits bound with his hands on his chin, in deep contemplation of his inevitable fate that is forthcoming and crowned with thorns, wearing a loin cloth, a rope yoke, and a red or purple cloak and holding a reed scepter as a symbol of mockery. Spanish and Latin American countries have a longer appellation for this seated Christ as El Cristo de la Humildad y Paciencia (Christ of Humility and Patience).

Some images of La Paciencia were often a solitary image or with soldiers. The devotion of Señor de la Paciencia gained popularity, especially in Intramuros, Manila during the Spanish era, unfortunately, the image was destroyed during the Second World War.

Nuestro Padre Jesus de la Sentencia

After Jesus was scourged, crowned with thorns, and mocked, he was once again presented to Pontius Pilate. Pilate, outside, repeated his not guilty verdict and presented Jesus to the crowd: “Ecce Homo!” (Behold the Man!). The scene has been widely depicted in Christian art. A scene of the Ecce Homo is a standard component of cycles illustrating the Passion and Life of Christ in art. From the 15th century in the West, and much earlier in the art of the Eastern church, devotional pictures began to portray Jesus alone, in half or full figure with a purple robe, loincloth, crown of thorns, and torture wounds, especially on his head, and later became referred to as images of the “Ecce Homo”.

Ang Paghahatol kay Hesus

As Pilate presents Jesus to the crowd, the Chief priests and officials shouted: ‘Crucify him! Crucify him!’ He wanted to set Jesus free yet the Jewish leaders and priests shouted: “We have no king but Caesar”. Pilate handed Jesus over to them for to be crucified.

Ang Pagtanggap sa Krus

So they took Jesus, and carrying the cross himself he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. A heavy cross is laid upon the bruised shoulders of Jesus. He receives it with meekness and with a sense of commitment, for it is the instrument with which he is to redeem the world and to accomplish the mission for which his heavenly Father has sent him.

Nuestro Padre Hesus Nazareno

Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me”. (Matthew 16:24) In Spain and its former colonial realm, the title of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno is associated with the image of Our Lord Jesus Christ carrying the Cross on His way to Mount Calvary.

The image of the Nazareno is often featured in the Via Crucis Processions and Estacion General Processions throughout Lent and Holy Week. The devotion to the Nazareno became popular in the country with Quiapo, Manila as the center of the devotion.

Ang unang pagkadapa ni Hesus

Bowed down under the weight of the cross, Jesus slowly sets forth on the way to Calvary, amidst the mockeries and insults of the crowd. His agony in the garden has exhausted his body. He is lacerated with blows and wounds; his strength fails Him. He falls to the ground under his cross.

La Amargura

Although La Amargura (the Virgin of Bitterness) was not recorded in the Four Canonical Gospels, the scene where St. John the Evangelist accompanying the Blessed Virgin Mary to her Son on the Way of the Cross was written in numerous writings from mystics. In one of the mystical writings, specifically in the writings of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, St. John the Evangelist accompanied the Blessed Mother in walking to many of the spots sanctified by our Lord with his blood and watering them with her tears along the way.

The Paso and devotion to Maria Santisima de la Amargura take its roots in Seville, Spain as it is one of the most popular in the Semana Santa procession in the Andalusian region.

Ang Pagtatagpo ni Hesus at ng kanyang Ina

Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich recorded the following: “As she was about to reach her Son on the Via Dolorosa, the soldiers taunt her with the instruments of the Passion, she could not control her feelings, but joined her hands as if to implore the help of heaven. When she saw her Son, she fixed her eyes upon Jesus, who was drawing near, and leaned against the pillar for support, lest she should again faint from grief, for her cheeks were as pale as death, and her lips almost blue. Then came her beloved Son. He was almost sinking under the heavyweight of his cross. and his head, still crowned with thorns, was drooping in agony on his shoulder. He cast a look of compassion and sorrow upon his Mother, staggered, and fell for the second time upon his hands and knees. Mary has perfectly agonized at this sight; she forgot all else; she saw neither soldiers nor executioners; she saw nothing but her dearly loved Son; and, springing from the doorway into the midst of the group who were insulting and abusing him, she threw herself on her knees by his side and embraced him. A few of the soldiers looked touched; and, although they obliged the Blessed Virgin to retire to the doorway, not one laid hands upon her. John and the women surrounded her as she fell half fainting against a stone, which was near the doorway, and upon which the impression of her hands remained.”

Ang pagtulong ni Simeon Cireneo

They (the soldiers) pressed into service a passer-by, Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. (Mark 15: 21)

Ang pagpahid sa mukha ni Hesus ni Santa Veronica

As Jesus proceeds along the way covered with the sweat of blood, a woman, moved with compassion, makes her way through the crowd, and wipes his face with a handkerchief. As a reward for her piety, the impression of His sacred countenance is miraculously imprinted upon the handkerchief.

Santa Veronica

Feast: July 12
Iconography: The Veil with the imprint of the Holy Face of Jesus

According to tradition, St. Veronica is known as the woman who wiped the face of Jesus as he was on his way to Mount Calvary. In the “Pasyong Mahal,” it is said that when she folded her veil, the image of Jesus’ face appeared on it. Some mystics, including Blessed Catherine Emmerich, believe that St. Veronica is also the woman who was healed of internal bleeding when she touched the hem of Jesus’ clothes. Another tradition states that St. Veronica presented the veil to the Blessed Mother and other women disciples. On Passion Sunday (Fifth Sunday of Lent), the Veil of Veronica is briefly exposed to bless the people on the altar dedicated to her. She is venerated as the Patroness of Photographers and caretakers of Sacred images.

Ang ikalawang pagkadapa ni Hesus

The pain of his wounds; and the loss of blood increasing at every step of his way, weakens him; and Jesus falls to the ground for the second time.

Nakasalubong ni Hesus ang mga kababaihan ng Jerusalem

A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children, for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.’ At that time, people will say to the mountains, ‘Fall upon us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ for if these things are done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?” (Luke 23: 27-31)

Ang Ikatlong pagkadapa ni Hesus

Jesus has almost arrived at the summit of Calvary, but before he reaches the spot where he is to be crucified, his strength again fails Him, and he falls the third time.

El Señor Jesus Despojado

Jesus, at last, arrives at Golgotha and they prepare to crucify Him. They strip Him of His garments and mock Him. Clothing gives a man his social position; His public stripping means that Jesus is no longer anything at all, he is simply an outcast, despised by all alike. The moment of the stripping reminds us of the expulsion from Paradise: God’s splendor has fallen away from man, who now stands naked and exposed, unclad and ashamed. And so Jesus once more takes on the condition of fallen man. At the foot of the Cross, the soldiers draw lots to divide his paltry possessions, his clothes in fulfillment of the words of the Psalms. He was then offered a wine mixed with myrrh to drink, but he refused to drink it choosing to endure with full consciousness the sufferings appointed for Him.

Nuestro Padre Señor de las Penas

The image of Nuestro Padre Jesus de las Penas, shows Jesus stripped of his garments, about to be crucified, once again praying for strength and patience to complete his mission to die for the salvation of many.

Ang pagapako sa Krus

When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” (Luke 23: 33-34) Stake-like nails were driven through his wrists and ankles, fastening him to the cross. The inscription above his head tauntingly read, “The King of the Jews.”

Ang pagpapatawad sa mabuting magnanakaw

Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23: 39-43)

San Dimas

Feast: March 25
Iconography: A large Cross, shirtless

St. Dismas is known as the repentant thief who was crucified alongside Jesus, and who was promised Divine Mercy and taken to Paradise by Christ after repenting. Depictions of him often show a large cross, referencing his own crucifixion, and he is sometimes portrayed shirtless due to his appearance during the crucifixion.

In the Coptic Church, it is said that he had previously encountered the Holy Family on their journey to Egypt, as he was the leader of a group of thieves who attempted to rob them but ultimately had a change of heart. A reported apparition of St. Dismas to St. Porphyrios describes how he was instructed by Jesus to come down from the cross and save a sick man lying nearby, which he did with the help of pieces of Christ’s cross. St. Dismas is revered as the patron saint of repentant criminals.

Ang paghahabilin ni Hesus

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple (St. John the Evangelist), “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. (John 19: 25-27)

Ang pagpapainom kay Hesus

“After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), ‘I thirst.’ A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth.” (John 19:28-29) Jesus did drink, but what many people believe to be vinegar was nothing of the sort. The Romans did not give him vinegar. They gave him sour wine. Sour wine was there to quench the thirst of the soldiers. The cheap beverage was refreshing to keep him onscious for as long as possible,” and thus have the effect of prolonging his pain that would accomplish God’s purpose.

Ang pagkamatay sa Krus ni Hesus

It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit”; and when he had said this he breathed his last. (Luke 23: 44-46). As soon as Our Lord Jesus died, an earthquake shook the ground and the rocks split, ripping the Temple veil in two from top to bottom. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.

Ang Pagsibat ni San Longinos kay Hesus sa Krus

Since it was the Day of Preparation, to prevent bodies from remaining on the cross on the Sabbath day (for that Sabbath day was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. Therefore the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was dead already, they did not break His legs. However, one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. He who saw it has testified, and his testimony is true. He knows that he is telling the truth, that you may believe. For these things happened so that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken,”[a] and again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they have pierced. (John 19:31-37)

The soldier who pierced the side of Our Lord Jesus Christ is identified by tradition as St. Longinus. His spear is venerated in Rome which is briefly exposed for veneration on the Fourth Sunday of Lent

San Longinos

Feast: October 16 (Present Liturgical Calendar), March 15 (Traditional Calendar)
Iconography: spear

According to tradition, St. Longinus was the centurion who pierced the side of Jesus and was healed of his eye disease when blood and water flowed from the wound. He then proclaimed that Jesus is the Son of God, converted to Christianity, and was later martyred in Cappadocia. His story is depicted in the first known Pasyon by Padre Gaspar Aquino de Belen and in the Moriones Festival in Marinduque.

A statue of St. Longinus can be found at St. Peter’s Basilica. St. Longinus is considered the patron saint of those with eye problems and good discernment.

Ang pababa sa Krus

After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. (John 19:38)

La Piedad

When the body of Our Lord Jesus Christ was taken down from the Cross, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus take down the body of Jesus from the cross and place him in the arms of his afflicted mother.

Ang Paglilibing kay Hesus

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who was himself a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be handed over. Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about seventy-five pounds. Taking the body, Joseph wrapped it [in] clean linen and laid it in the new tomb that he had hewn in the rock. Then he rolled a huge stone across the entrance to the tomb and departed. (Matthew 27: 57-60, John 19:39)

San Nicodemo

Feast: August 31
Iconography: a jar

St. Nicodemus, a Sanhedrin member who became a disciple of Jesus Christ, engaged in one of the most profound theological conversations in the Gospels with our Lord. One night, he approached Jesus seeking guidance on how to attain salvation, to which Jesus replied that one must be reborn from above, referring to baptism. After Jesus’ death, Nicodemus assisted St. Joseph of Arimathea in burying him, and he brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes for Jesus’ body, which is why he is often depicted holding a jar in his iconography.

San Jose de Arimatea

Feast: August 31
Iconography: Crown of thorns, linen cloth, a scroll, chalice

St. Joseph of Arimathea, a covert disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ, was a member of the Sanhedrin. Following Jesus’ death, he sought permission from Pontius Pilate to take the Lord’s body for burial and brought a linen shroud. Together with St. Nicodemus, he prepared Christ’s remains for burial. According to tradition, he also kept the Holy Grail and owned the grave where Jesus was buried. He is venerated as the patron saint of funeral directors.

San Cleofas

Feast: September 25
Iconography: Bread

According to tradition, St. Cleophas was a disciple of Jesus who may have been the brother of St. Joseph, the foster father of Christ. Some sources suggest that he may be the same person as Alpheus. It is said that his wife was St. Mary of Cleophas, who witnessed the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. In the Gospel of Luke, he is depicted traveling to Emmaus with another unnamed disciple. They encounter Jesus, but do not recognize him until he breaks bread with them during dinner, hence the symbol of bread associated with St. Cleophas.

San Matias

Feast: May 14
Iconography: axe, book

St. Matthias was a disciple of Jesus and was selected to take the place of Judas Iscariot as an apostle. He had been a follower of Christ since His baptism in the Jordan River, but the Bible does not offer any further information about him after his appointment. According to tradition, he preached in present-day Georgia and was eventually martyred by being dismembered. St. Matthias is venerated as the patron saint of those struggling with alcoholism.

San Jose Barsabbas Justo

Feast: July 20
Iconography: Cup

Saint Joseph Barsabbas, also known as Justus, was a follower of Jesus who was considered as one of the two potential successors to Judas by the apostles. Although the lot fell on the other candidate, St. Matthias, Joseph Barsabbas still actively participated in the ministry of preaching and holiness. According to tradition, he became the bishop of Eleutheropolis, where he was eventually martyred. It is said that he survived an attempt to poison him, which is why his iconography often depicts him holding a cup.

San Simeon de Jerusalem

Feast: September 25
Iconography: crosier and a cross

St. Simeon of Jerusalem is believed to be the offspring of St. Cleophas, also known as Alpheus, who was the brother of St. Joseph, and Mary, the sister of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As a result, he was both a nephew of St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary and a cousin of Our Savior. He may also have been the unnamed disciple who encountered Jesus in Emmaus. According to tradition, St. Simeon was the second bishop of Jerusalem and was crucified during the persecution of Trajan.

Santa Marta de Betania

Feast: July 29
Iconography: Basket of fruits or food

St. Martha was the sister of St. Lazarus and St. Mary of Bethany, and their home was a frequent place for Jesus to teach and dine. She was often busy in the kitchen preparing food for Christ. When her brother, St. Lazarus, died, she professed her faith in Jesus and believed in the resurrection of the dead. Some Eastern Churches believe that she was among the women who witnessed Jesus’ death and resurrection. Tradition holds that she and other disciples were exiled to France, where she preached the Gospel in Tarascon and tamed the terrifying tarasque. She is widely venerated as the patron saint of waiters and is also the patron saint of the Municipality of Pateros in Metro Manila.

Santa Maria de Betania

Feast: July 29
Iconography: Perfume bottle and holding her hair

St. Mary, the sister of St. Martha and St. Lazarus, was a dear friend of Jesus. During one of Jesus’ teachings in their home, she sat next to him and listened attentively, while her sister complained about her not helping in the kitchen. Jesus reprimanded Martha and praised Mary, saying, “There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken away from her.” She is also known as the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume and dried them with her hair. In 2021, Pope Francis established the Feast of the Bethany Siblings (St. Martha, St. Mary, and St. Lazarus) to be celebrated every July 29th.

Santa Maria Cleofe

Feast: April 24
Iconography: censer

St. Mary of Cleophas is frequently associated with St. Cleophas, who traveled to Emmaus with Jesus. According to St. John’s Gospel, she is referred to as the “sister” (adelphi) or sometimes considered as the sister-in-law of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She served Jesus and was present at the Crucifixion, and later accompanied Mary Magdalen to Christ’s tomb. Additionally, the Gospel of St. Mark notes that Mary of Cleophas was among the women from Galilee who frequently accompanied Jesus during his ministry and assisted him in his work.

In traditional iconography, the attribute of Santa Maria Jacobe or Cleofe is an alabaster jar yet the two either carry a censer for Franciscan and Dominican territories while a broom for Augustinian parishes.

Santa Maria Jacobe

Feast: May 23
Iconography: broom or Roman whip

St. Mary of James, also known as the wife of Alpheus and mother of St. James the Younger and St. Jude Thaddeus, was given the title “Mary of James” because, according to Hebrew custom, a widowed woman is placed under the authority and responsibility of her eldest son, in this case, St. James the Younger. She was present at Calvary during Jesus’ crucifixion and was among the women disciples who witnessed the resurrection of Christ on Easter morning. Some believe that she is depicted holding a Roman flagellum, which is often mistaken for a broom in some images.

In traditional iconography, the attribute of Santa Maria Jacobe or Cleofe is an alabaster jar yet the two either carry a broom for Franciscan and Dominican territories while a censer for Augustinian parishes.

Notes on the identity of Santa Maria Cleofe and Santa Maria Jacobe

For centuries, scholars have debated whether Santa Maria Cleofe and Santa Maria Jacobe are one or two distinct persons from each other. In the recent revisions to the Roman Martyrology of 2001, the Church noted that in the entry of April 24, it described St. Mary of Cleophas as among the women who went to the tomb with St. Mary Magdalene and St. Salome using the Gospel of Mark as the basis. While it may be argued that the updated Martyrology did not explicitly say that the two Marys are the same, it implies that they are when St. Mark’s Gospel was used to describe St. Mary of Cleophas.

Scholars opined that it is quite possible that the two seemingly different Marys were one and the same. Mark distinguished her from other Marys by naming her son; John, by naming her husband. However, Alpheus must be taken to be the same person as Cleopahas for James the Less was the son of Alpheus and Mary; and this Mary was the wife of Cleophas. St. Jerome would identify Alpheus with Cleophas who according to Hegesippus, was the brother of St. Joseph. On the other hand, the proponents of the two Marys as separate entities who object to the identification of Alpheus and Cleophas as one person citing St. Luke’s who speaks about the two male personas separately. In the old Martyrology, there are separate entries for St. Mary of Cleophas (April 9) and St. Mary of James (May 25 together with Sta. Maria Salome in Veroli, Italy) yet it must be pointed out that in the 2001 Martyrology, the entry of St. Mary of James was removed while the entry of St. Mary of Cleophas was transferred to April 24 together with Salome.

As of this writing, while some parishes continued the long-standing tradition of having images of St. Maria Cleofe and St. Maria Jacobe separate, a response was sent from an inquiry from St. John the Baptist Parish in Taytay, Rizal in 2012 regarding this matter from the CBCP Episcopal Commission on the Liturgy. Answering the query on the identity of Santa Maria Cleofe and Santa Maria Jacobe, the response stated that they maintain the stance that the two Marys are the same person until a formal clarification from the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints will be issued to resolve this inquiry.

Whatever would be the truth of the matter, this Mary was prepared for the apostolate of Christ and who deemed it a great blessing and honor to be able to offer her life to God.

Santa Maria Salome

Feasts: April 24 (Present Calendar), October 22 (Traditional Calendar)
Iconography: Broom (Augustinian Parishes), thurible (Franciscan Parishes)

St. Maria Salome, also known as Saint Salome, was among the female disciples of Jesus and the mother of Saint James the Great and Saint John. On one occasion, she requested that her sons be allowed to sit beside Jesus when he establishes his kingdom. She was present during the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, as well as his burial and resurrection. According to legend, she preached the Gospel in Italy.

Depictions of St. Maria Salome often show her holding a thurible in Franciscan parishes, symbolizing her role in preparing the body of Jesus for burial and offering her sons to serve in Jesus’ ministry. In Augustinian parishes, she is typically portrayed holding a broom, alluding to her preparation for Jesus’ burial.

Santa Juana de Cuza

Feast: May 24
Iconography: Treasure box or a bag of coins

St. Joanna, the spouse of Chuza, was a female disciple of Jesus Christ. According to the Gospel of Luke, she was one of the women who followed Jesus and provided support to his ministry. She was also one of the women who went to the tomb on the morning of the resurrection and found that Jesus had risen from the dead.

Santa Maria Magdalena

Feast: July 22
Iconography: alabaster

St. Mary Magdalene, one of the followers of Jesus, made contributions for the needs of Jesus and his apostles. For a long time, it was believed that she was the woman who had been possessed by seven demons and whom Jesus had exorcised. However, the claim that she was a prostitute has been disputed. She was present at the crucifixion and death of Jesus. But her most significant role was as the first witness to the Resurrection and the first person to be sent by Jesus after his rising. As a result, she became known as “the Apostle to the Apostles.”

San Juan Evangelista

Feast: December 27
Iconography: quill, eagle

St. John, also known as “The Beloved,” was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and the brother of St. James the Great. He was a part of Jesus’ inner circle and is believed to be the Beloved Disciple. St. John remained with Jesus until his death on the cross and took care of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He wrote five books in the New Testament, including his Gospel, three Epistles, and the Book of Revelation. Therefore, he is often depicted with a quill or book. Unlike other apostles who were martyred, St. John died a natural death, and he is the only apostle who remained with Jesus until death.

He is usually portrayed beardless as per the tradition that he was the youngest apostle. The eagle symbolizes the soaring theology that begins his Gospel. By tradition, he is the last Apostle in the procession for he is the only one who witnessed the crucifixion of Our Lord and accompanied the Virgin throughout the ordeal.

Mater Dolorosa

Feast: September 15, Viernes de Dolores (Friday before Palm Sunday)
Iconography: Heart pierced with Seven (or one) daggers

The Church honors Mary as the Mother of Sorrows or Mater Dolorosa. The title commemorates the sorrow that Mary experienced during her cooperation in the Suffering and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ. seeing her own Son suffer and die on the cross. The daggers on her heart represent her seven sorrows or the seven sorrowing events in her life in allusion to the prophecy of Simeon to her: “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted and you yourself a sword will pierce.”

The Dolorosa is one of the most important images in the Holy Week processions due to her presence in the Viernes de Dolores rites, Estacion General, Via Crucis, the Good Friday processions, and the Procesion del Silencio to accompany the Virgin in her solitude and sorrow on the night of the first Good Friday.

Santo Entierro

The last image of the Good Friday Procession is the image of the Santo Entierro (also known as the Santo Sepulcro) – the Dead Christ. Although it is the image of the dead Christ, his symbols of divinity are still depicted in this image with the presence of Tres Potencias attached to his head and having a serene countenance, waiting for his resurrection three days later. The Santo Entierro teaches us that death which was then the result of our sins became our passageway to our eternal reward when Christ rose from the dead and broke death’s original purpose.

The cult of the Santo Entierro in the Philippines is one of the most popular along with that of the Santo Niño and the Nazareno as evident with the shrines dedicated to the Dead Christ in Manila, Laguna, and Pampanga, beelines in parishes to venerate the Santo Entierro that is enshrined and the faithful visiting the chapels of camareros of the Good Friday Santo Entierro. In some parts of Luzon and Visayas, there were rites in honor of the Dead Christ that somehow harken back to Pre-Colonial times that still persist to this day.

Reflections on Holy Week Processions in the Modern world

For centuries, Holy Week processions have been a significant tradition in the Catholic Philippines. While these processions may appear antiquated to modern man, they remain relevant in the modern world.

For many people, Holy Week processions provide an opportunity to connect with their faith and reflect on the significance of Our Lord Jesus Christ’s sacrifice. They serve as a reminder of the importance of principles such as humility, compassion, and selflessness, which are as essential today as they were centuries ago.

Holy Week processions can bring communities together. In an increasingly fragmented society, these processions convey a sense of solidarity and togetherness. They also commemorate cultural heritage and community spirit. As participants join together to respect their common values and traditions, they draw people together and build a sense of togetherness.

Finally, Holy Week processions can serve as a reminder of the value of selflessness and sacrifice. They remind us of Jesus Christ’s ultimate sacrifice and challenge us to consider how we may be more unselfish in our own lives.

In conclusion, while Holy Week processions may be steeped in tradition, they still hold relevance in the modern world. They provide an opportunity for individuals to connect with their faith, bring communities together, and remind us of the importance of sacrifice and selflessness.

References:

Carabeo, Andre Josef, “Dissipet Tenebras: A Meditative Lenten Journey Featuring Forty Holy Week Processional Images”, St. Pauls Philippines, Makati City, 2023.

Cordero-Fernando, Gilda & Zialcita, Fernando, “Cuaresma”, The Bookmark, Inc., Makati City, 2001.

Diwa, Genaro, “On the Identity between Sta. Maria Jacobe and Sta. Maria Cleofe” Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Liturgy, Manila, 2012.

delos Reyes, Michael, “Holy Week and Easter Processions: A Liturgico-pastoral Guide”, Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc., Quezon City, 2015.

delos Reyes, Michael, “Prusisyon: Paghahanda at Pagdiriwang – Pinaunlad na Edisyon”, Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc., Quezon City, 2018.

“La Sagrada Pasion y Esperanza Nuestra”, Hermandad y Cofradía de la Sagrada Pasión y Esperanza Macarena, Parish of La Purisima Concepcion, Santa Maria, Bulacan, 2011.

“Mga Pagdiriwang sa Kwaresma at mga Mahal na Araw” [Sixth Edition], Komisyon ng Liturhiya, Diyosesis ng San Pablo, The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Pablo, San Pablo, Laguna, 2022.

Nacorda, Clodoveo, “Kwaresmang Pinoy: Main Characters and Popular Filipino Piety”, Retrieved from https://youtu.be/GEgHSFp_LTk on March 30, 2023.

Valera, Andres, “Banal na Triduo: Ang Tatlong Araw na Pagdiriwang ng Pagpapakasakit at Pagkabuhay ng Panginoon”, [Fourth Edition], Diocesan Liturgical Commission Diocese of Malolos, Malolos, Bulacan, 2019.

Photos:

Arnold, Carl
Badulis, Jay-ar
Congregacion del Santo Cristo
Daquioag, Michael of Buen Viaje PH
de la Cruz, Jefferson
Geronimo, Raymond Christian Halili
Gozon, Jossen
Heirs of Amado and Asunción Tamayo
Hermandad de Sagrada Pasion y Maria Santisima de la Esperanza Macarena Filipina
Loiz, Vincent Galileo
Malabanan, James Benedict
Naval, Wilfred Jason of My Religious Journey
Reyes, Arnold for Bordados de Manila
Santos, John Valenzuela
Tolentino, Thom of Photographia et Religiosus
Victorino, Gabriel Cedrick of Desamparats PH

+AM+DG+ +AMPSPC+

The devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows is one of the most popular Marian title that gained much following in the Philippines. Devotees of Our Lady of Sorrows in the country would often participate in processions, novenas, and other forms of religious observances to honor her and seek her intercession. The devotion is especially popular during Holy Week, when Filipinos engage in various acts of penance and religious reflection. The widespread popularity of the devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows in the Philippines reflects the deep faith and spirituality of the Filipino people, as well as their enduring reverence for the Virgin Mary as a model of suffering and devotion.

In recent years, the devotion to the Sorrowing Mother continues to develop with the introduction of one of the most celebrated image of Our Lady of Sorrows in the country – the image of Maria Santisima de la Esperanza Macarena. This image of the Virgin is one of the most famous Marian images all over the world that introduced the Spanish observance of Semana Santa all over the world with its pomp, color and grandeur that is unmatched to this day.

Given with our close historical, cultural and religious link with Spain, it’s not a surprise that the devotion the the famed La Macarena would reach our shores and continuous to gain popularity in modern Philippines.

The image

The Virgin of Hope of Macarena is known for her serene expression and gentle gaze, which many devotees interpret as a sign of comfort and compassion. She is often invoked by those who are facing difficult circumstances, including illness, poverty, and personal struggles.

Many have wondered what her title “Esperanza Macarena” meant that some mistakenly took it as a 1990s dance song “La Macarena”. The term “Esperanza” is the Spanish word for “Hope” as she is our life, our sweetness, and our hope that we usually sing in the “Salve Regina” and one of the latest titles added in the Litany of Loreto last 2020. On the other hand, the other half of the title, which is “Macarena”, is actually the name of the district where the Virgin is venerated in the northern part of Seville near the Guadalquivir River.

The image of the Virgin of Hope of Macarena depicts the Sorrowing Mother with a beautiful yet dignified in her painful sorrowing, a contained countenance with a facial expression of deep maternal sentiment emphasized by her tears. Her gaze shows a unique expression between joy and grief which reflects her divine love for her children. 

The Virgin’s contracted hands further expressed her deep emotion during her most sorrowful moments. Yet these hands became a channel of the Virgin’s blessing as she blesses her devotees every time a besamanos takes place for devotees to kiss them or having parents place their infant in her hands to bless them. At times, she would hold a handkerchief and a rosary given by her devotees as their “ex votos” or offerings in thanksgiving for the graces she bestowed to them.

La Macarena wears a set of regal vestments that she accumulated over the years from her faithful devotees. Her most notable and standard is her green manto which became part of her iconography. The color green symbolizes the cardinal virtue that is present in her title, “hope”. The green-colored manto is worn for the rest of the year except for Lent, especially before the Septenario and the de luto (the black and white mourning regalia) during November dedicated to poor souls.

The image of Our Lady is notable for its set of jewels and ex votos from the medals given by her devotees over the years. One of the most distinct of all these jewels are the five green mariquillas or daisies that are attached to her tocado. These famous brooches were given by the famed bullfighter José Gómez Ortega, a well known devotee of La Macarena, as his ex voto. 

The signature crown of the Virgin, the corona imperial, that is surrounded by stars was designed by Sevillian artist Juan Manuel Rodríguez Ojeda and commissioned by the Reyes de Sevilla Jewelry Store. It was paid with the benefits produced by a bullfighting festival organized by Joselito el Gallo in the Real Maestranza in Seville on August 14, 1912, also with the inheritance that the brotherhood of José Gutiérrez de la Vega received, and with a massive popular collection among the Sevillians. The crown can also be seen as an emblem on the facade of the basilica. 

The most distinct feature of the reglia of La Macarena is the tocado, first introduced by the Virgin’s mayordomia Juan Manuel and later developed by Gamero, Perez Calvo and the Garduño brothers which covers the head of the Virgin gracefully

The origin of the devotion

The beautiful venerated image of Maria Santisima de la Esperanza Macarena, also known as the Virgin of Hope of Macarena, is one of the most revered religious images in Seville, Spain. The devotion to Maria Santisima de la Esperanza Macarena began with the establishment of the Hermandad de la Macarena in 1595 and the image was carved sometime between 1624 to 1750 by an unknown sculptor and the Hermandad was placed under the Virgin’s patronage in 1624.

According to legend, the La Macarena’s face, most notably its discolored cheek allegedly caused by a bottle of wine thrown by a drunken Protestant rebel at her face which pious legend also claims has never been able to be removed. He became a pallbearer for the image the following year as penance for his sacrilegious act.

In the early hours of July 18, 1936, as the Spanish Civil War raged on, arsonists with an anti-clerical agenda broke into the Macarena church and oratory in an attempt to destroy the religious icons housed within. Fearing for the safety of these valuable artifacts, the local people took matters into their own hands and the Virgin was kept in the house of Don Antonio Roman Villa inside a wooden box until she was temporarily enthrone to the Church of the Annunciation.

Over the years, the statue underwent several changes and additions, including the addition of a crown and a set of silver robes in the 18th century and the image was restored and repainted, giving it the vivid colors and lifelike appearance that it has today.

In addition to her religious significance, the Virgin of Hope of Macarena has also played an important role in Spanish cultural history. Her image has been featured in countless works of art, including paintings, sculptures, and music, and she has become an enduring symbol of Sevillian pride and identity.

The image was granted a Pontifical Coronation on May 31, 1964. The Church of San Gil, the home of the Virgin, was elevated as a Minor Basilica in 1966 and on June 5, 1971, the Virgin was imposed with the Gold Medal of the City of Sevile, where she was brought out for an extraordinary proession.

Today, the Virgin of Hope of Macarena is celebrated with a series of processions and festivities during the Holy Week of Seville. These events draw thousands of visitors from around the world, who come to pay their respects to this beloved icon of faith and hope.

From Sevilla to Las Islas Filipinas

The devotion to Maria Santisima de la Esperanza Macarena arrived on the Philippine shores in the 1980s when the image was commissioned by the Perez family of Santa Maria, Bulacan, and became the focal point of Viernes de Dolores celebrations at the now Minor Basilica of La Purisima Concepcion in Santa Maria, Bulacan.

Under the guidance of Parish Priest, Mons. Jaime S. García, PC, the Hermandad y Cofradía de la Sagrada Pasión y Esperanza Macarena was established by families who own the pasos de misterio for the annual Semana Santa processions of Santa María, Bulacán. The organization’s mission is to foster devotion to the Sacred Passion of Our Lord and His Blessed Mother, specifically under the patronage of La Virgen Esperanza Macarena. They oversee the commemoration of over two centuries of Lenten traditions in the historic town.

In September 2001, the Hermandad de la Sagrada Pasion held its first Triduum in honor of its titular patrons on September 14 and 15, the Feasts of the Exaltation of the Cross and Our Lady of Sorrows.

In 2003, the first Septenario (or the traditional Seven-day novena in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows) was offered to the Virgin from September 9 to 15 while in 2004, the Septenario and feast were moved to Viernes de Dolores (Friday before Palm Sunday) which is offered by different bishops and other members of the clergy over the years.

The devotion to La Macarena Filipina grew steadily over the years as she soon gained popular devotion. One notable instance was in 1991, when the image joined a Marian exhibit in Angono, Rizal and gained traction until she joined the local Marian procession in 1997 and continued her regular visit from 2000 to 2010. The image’s participation to different Marian exhibits in different parts of the country helped in gainig more devotees.

The popularity of the Virgin in the country have reached the Hermandad de la Macarena and the Basilica Minore de la Macarena in Seville. In 2008, the Junta de Gobierno de la Hermandad in Seville, in an attempt to locate all Hermandades in the world throuugh the Apostolic Nunciature, it came across to the existance of the Hermandad in Santa Maria, Bulacan and added it to the 21 accredited Hermandades around the world with the Philippine Hermandad as the first in Asia and Don Julio Dominguez Arjona named the image as “La Macarena Filipina” and placed the said Hermandad under the Patronage of the Señora y Reina de Sevilla.

In 2022, to mark the start of the Silver Anniversary of the Hermandad y Cofradía de la Sagrada Pasión y María Santísima de la Esperanza Macarena in 2024, the Philippine delagation arranged for the venerable image to be restored and brought to Spain. The image was then blessed at the Basílica de Santa María de la Esperanza Macarena in Sevilla.

The devotion at present

The devotion to La Macarena Filipina continues to spread outside of Santa Maria, Bulacan. The festivities in honor of the Virgin is commemorated every Viernes de Dolores (Friday before Palm Sunday), the celebration of Semana Santa commences on the fourth Friday of Lent with the Solemne Septenario. This devotional event spans seven days of prayers and Masses, each day devoted to commemorating and preaching about one of the Seven Sorrows of Our Blessed Lady. The Franciscans introduced this devotion, which was later revived by the Hermandad after it had been lost with the passage of time. Main Celebrants and Preachers from far and near, renowned for their devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, are invited for each day.

The climax of the Septenario takes place on Viernes de Dolores, the Friday before Palm Sunday, during the Fiesta de María Santísima de la Esperanza Macarena – the Queen of Sorrows. On this day, the Pontifical Mass and besamanos, led by the clergy, the Hermandad, and the faithful, honor the Blessed Virgin Mary in the morning. In the evening, there is a Misa Concelebrada and Solemn Procession, during which the year’s Hermano Mayor de Honor is solemnly installed according to established rites.

In addition to the customary rites of Holy Week, Santa María takes pride in its Semana Santa Processions. These processions, held with greater solemnity and proper decorum since the establishment of the Santa Maria Hermandad, feature close to 50 processional images depicting the Lord’s Public Life, Passion, and Death. Some of these pasos date back to the Spanish era, when the Church of Santa María was still under the Franciscans. The families that form the Hermandad bring out the pasos during the Holy Wednesday and Good Friday Processions. This event attracts not only the people of Santa María but also those from neighboring towns and devotees from as far as Manila and nearby provinces.

As we conclude this blogpost, we are sharing the prayer in honor of Maria Santisima de la Esperanza Macarena Filipina to ask her intercession for ourselves, for the Church, the nation and the world.

Panalangin sa Milagrosang Maria Santisima de la Esperanza Macarena

O Reina ng Awa!
Pag-asa ng santinakpan naririto kami ngayon upang parangalan ang iyong nahahapis at malinis na puso. Pakumbaba kaming dumudulog sa iyong luklukang mahal na buo ang aming pag-asa na kami ay tatanggap ng habag, biyaya, pagtulong at pagkupkop hindi sa pamamagitan ng aming di-sapat na kagalingan kung hindi alang-alang sa dakilang kabutihan ng iyong maka-Inang puso. Ang malawak na material at mortal na pagkawasak, ang mga paghihirap at pagkahapis nawa ng maraming mga nilalang ay bumabagabag sa iyong puso upang kami’y kahabagan.

O Virgeng Kalinis-linisan!
Ipagsanggalang mo ang Santa Iglesia na ikaw ang Ina at Tagapamagitan ng lahat ng mga biyaya. Huwag mong pabayaan ang aming Santo Papa at mga kaparian. Mamalagi ka nawa sa amin nang manatili ang kapayapaan at ang pagkakasundo ng aming mga pinuno. Mag-ibayo nawa ang pagsulong ng tunay na pananampalataya at ang pagbabalik-loob ng mga makasalanan.

O Señorang bukod na pinagpala!
Silayan nawa ng mga mata mong may luha na puno ng pag-ibig at awa ang mga namimintuho sa iyo. Pagkalooban mo kami ng mga tanging biyaya sa lalong kapurihan ng Diyos. At sa huling sandali nitong aming buhay ay igawad mo sa amin, ang kamatayang mapalad at ang pangako ng langit.

Maria Santisima de la Esperanza!
Yayamang ang sangkatauhan ay nakahandog sa kamahal-mahalang puso ng Iyong Anak nang sa ganitong paraan Siya ang maging tanda at sangla sa kanilang Tagumpay at Katubusan; sa ganitong paraan ay inihahandog namin ang aming sarili magpakailanman sa iyo at sa iyong kalinis-linisang puso, O Ina namin at Reina, nang ang pag-ibig mo at pagkandili ay magpasali ng tagumpay ng kaharian ng Diyos, nang sa ganito rin naman ang lahat ng bansa ay magkasundo-sundo at tumalima sa kalooban ng Diyos a magkais-isang isigaw na ikaw ay Pinagpala at kasama mong magpapahayag ng walang hanggan Magnificat ng kaluwalhatian pag-ibig at pagkilala sa Puso ni Jesus, na doon lamang sila maaring makahanap ng katotohanan at kapayapaan. Amen.

References:

“About Hermandad y Cofradía de la Sagrada Pasión y Esperanza Macarena”, Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/HermandadMacarenaPH/about_details on March 10, 2023.

“La Sagrada Pasion y Esperanza Nuestra”, Hermandad y Cofradía de la Sagrada Pasión y Esperanza Macarena, Parish of La Purisima Concepcion, Santa Maria, Bulacan, 2011.

“Our Lady of Esperanza”, Retrieved from https://www.hermandaddelamacarena.es/en/paso-de-nuestra-senora-de-la-esperanza-2/ on March 12, 2023.

Interview and Consultant:

Perez, Francis Jason III

Photos:

Hermandad y Cofradía de la Sagrada Pasión y Esperanza Macarena Filipina
Hermadad de La Macarena Official Website
Malabanan, James Benedict
Tolentino, Thom

+AMDG+ +AMPSPC+

Baguio City, famously known as the “Summer Capital of the Philippines” due to its cold climate and its breathtaking sceneries that draw tourists from different parts of the country and the world. One of the most imposing landmarks of the city is the famed Cathedral of Our Lady of the Atonement, more popularly known as Baguio Cathedral, the seat of the Diocese of Baguio and the devotion to Our Lady of the Atonenment.

Devotion to Our Lady of the Atonement, the titular Patroness of Baguio Cathedral, played a significant role in the Catholic faith in Baguio City as its silent witness to the history and development of the Summer Capital of the Philippines. The devotion to Our Lady of the Atonement is deeply rooted in the history and culture of Baguio City as it served as a testament to the strong Catholic faith of the people of Baguio City and their dedication to Our Lady.

The visage of Baguio’s Loving Queen

The image of the Blessed Virgin Mary as Our Lady of the Atonement is presented wearing a golden crown with a crown of 12 stars. The Virgin wears a red mantle signifies the Precious Blood of Jesus with a blue tunic and a white robe. She holds in her arms the Christ Child who holds a cross in his right hand wearing gold. For this image, the robes are decorated elaborately with an estofado style (The image intricately painted with patterns and motifs to give an illusion of the image wearing an embroidered vestment). The Servant of God Fr. Paul Wattson of Greymoor also explained that the Red color shows “the shedding of the Most Precious Blood that the Atoning Sacrifice was enacted and it is most fitting that she should wear a red mantle accepting our homage and devotion under the title of the Atonement.”

For this image of Our Lady of the Atonement of Baguio, she is carved in the modern Hispano-Filipino style of religious carving taking its’ queue from the modern Sevillano carving. This image appears to be different from the original images of the Virgin under this title, in the American image, she holds the Child Jesus firmly, while in the present Philippine image, her right hand was open, similar to the style of in the famed icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help as is she beckons her children to come near her Son.

The Origin of the title and image

The devotion to Our Lady of the Atonement began when the Servant of God Father Paul Wattson of Graymoor, Founder of the Friars of the Atonement, had a long and deep devotion to the Blessed Mother, and he was the first to invoke her by this title. A former Episcopalian cleric, he had a long and deep devotion to Mary, Mother of Christ and established the Society of Atonement c with Mother Lurana White, who would later established the Rosary League of Our Lady of the Atonement. 

On the title of “Our Lady of the Atonement”, he explained that “the very name “Atonement” is a perpetual reminder of the Cross. Our Lord hanging there in mortal agony; Our Lady standing by, the sword, foretold by Simeon, piercing her heart. This is the central scene in the mystery of the Atonement.” He also believed that her claim to this high title rests most solidly on the fact that she consented to become the Mother of the Redeemer and that she suffered with Jesus during the Passion.

He also gave another meaning of the title which is “At-One-Ment” or unity. Thus the Virgin Mother is our Lady of the At-one-ment, given with his Episcopalian roots, he also hoped that this title would help in praying for the Christian unity of all men in the one fold.

It is because of this work that brought a greater awareness of the devotion to the Episcopalian community. The title became popular common among Anglicans and Anglo-Catholics who have a similar devotion in their Liturgical Traditions that would led to their conversion back to the fold.

In 1919, the title was formally approved by Pope Benedict XV with July 9th as its feast day. On June 14, 1946, the Sacred Congregation of Rites approved the Mass and Office for Our lady of Atonement to be celebrated annually on her feast day.

From America to Baguio City

The devotion was introduced to the Philippines when the Cathedral of Our Lady of Atonement was built by the Congregacio Immaculati Cordis Marriae (CICM) Missionaries first as a chapel dedicated to St. Patrick in 1920 initially at the heart of downtown Session Road and later moved to its present location years later.

The Church was consecrated and dedicated to the Our Lady of the Atonement on July 9, 1936. The devotion to Our Lady of the Atonement flourished and one of its recorded miracles was the survival of the Cathedral from the ravages of the Second World War. The Our Lady of the Atonement Cathedral, also known as the Baguio Cathedral, serves as the center of this devotion. The cathedral’s beautiful neo-Gothic architecture and stained-glass windows are a testament to the city’s rich religious heritage.

The first known image of Our Lady of the Atonement of Baguio was brought by the CICM Missionaries yet years later, the image was given to St. Francis Xavier College Chapel in Baguio City where it can still be seen to this day. Over the years, different images of Our Lady of the Atonement were enshrined at the Cathedral, one of them was the de vestir image of the Virgin.

It has been decided to finally create an official image that would be unique to the locality which was materialized in 2023 with a beautifully carved modern Hispano-Filipino looking image with her dressed covered with estofado designs that captured the hearts of devotees with its captivating beauty.

Ecclesiastical Recognition

The beautiful image of Our Lady of the Atonement received the honor of Episcopal Coronation on March 25, 2023, the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary led by the Bishop of Baguio, Most Rev. Victor Bendico, DD.

A special novena was prepared for the solemn occasion and an act of consecration and entrustemtn of the Diocese of Baguio was done after the coronation rites followed by the solemn procession of the newly crowned image of Our Lady of the Atonement of Baguio City throughout the city where the clergy and the devotees walked the streets flanking Baguio City’s Holy Queen.

The devotion at present

Devotion to Our Lady of the Atonement is an important aspect of the Catholic faith in Baguio City. Devotees gather at the cathedral to attend Mass, pray the rosary, and participate in other religious activities. The Feast of Our Lady of the Atonement is celebrated every July 9, drawing pilgrims within Baguio, its neighboring provinces and other parts of the country.

The devotion to Our Lady of the Atonement is a cherished tradition in Baguio City, reflecting the deep faith of its people. The devotion also reflects the deep faith of the people of Baguio City, making it an essential part of the city’s cultural identity.

As we conclude this blogpost, we are sharing the prayer in honor of Our Lady of the Atonemnt of Baguio:

We salute you, Holy Mary, Daughter of God the Father, and entreat you to obtain for us a devotion like your own to the most sweet Will of God.

We salute you, Virgin Mother of God and Son, and entreat you to obtain for us such union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus that our own hearts may burn with love of God and an ardent zeal for the salvation of souls.

We salute you, Immaculate Spouse of God the Holy Spirit, and entreat you to obtain for us such yielding of ourselves to the Blessed Spirit, that He may, in all things, direct and rule our hearts and that we may never grieve Him in thought, word or deed. Amen

References:

Aviado, Lutgarda, “Madonnas of the Philippines”, Manlapaz Publishing Co. Quezon City, 1975.

“Celebrating 100 Years of Mary Under the title Our Lady of the Atonement”, Retrieved from https://www.atonementfriars.org/our-lady-of-the-atonement/ on March 20, 2023.

Perlas, Jerome, OSB, “Our Lady of the Atonement”, unpublished manuscript, 2023.

“Our Lady of the Atonement”, Retrieved from https://fatherpaulofgraymoor.org/his_legacy/our_lady_of_the_atonement.html on March 27, 2023.

Interview:

Ramirez, Earl Daniel

Photos:

The Baguio Cathedral of Our Lady of the Atonement
Daquioag, Michael
Innocenio, Glen
Perlas, Jerome, OSB
Ramirez, Earl Daniel

Special thanks to Sister Jerome Perlas, OSB and Mr. Earl Daniel Ramirez for the great help to preparing this blogpost dedicated to Our Lady of the Atonement of Baguio City.

+AMDG+ +AMPSPC+

The busy and historic urban Balintawak is one of the most populous barangays in Quezon City where it became a silent witness of our country’s history and day-to-day activity that are visible in its surroundings. One of the most notable landmarks of Balintawak is the Parish of St. Joseph the Worker which it became a solace for everyday man after all the hard work that they rendered for the day.

The modern busy streets of Balintawak, as well as other cities and towns around the world, can be overwhelming and challenging for daily workers. Balintawak is a hub for transportation, with countless vehicles and people moving through the area every day. Amidst this chaos, the devotion to St. Joseph the Worker can serve as a source of comfort and inspiration for daily workers. The faithful would flock to a simple church dedicated to St. Joseph to seek his help and protection in their everyday life as they continue to provide for their family and their futures.

The Image

The image of San Jose de Balintawak presents St. Joseph holding the Child Jesus on his side, gazing at Him lovingly while the Child Jesus looks upwards. Their heads are covered with a long wig for male santos while St. Joseph sports the aureola and the Child Jesus his diagnostic “Tres Potencias”. St. Joseph holds his distinct staff with a sheaf of lilies sprouting on the staff while the Child Jesus holds a tool box. The simply vested image is enshrined at the side altar of the parish that can be venerated by the faithful.

History

The devotion to San Jose de Balintawak began when on September 16, 1959, a decree issued by the Most Rev. Rufino Cardinal Santos, D.D., Archbishop of Manila, created the parish of San Jose de Balintawak. The parish was made up of the territories of Our Lady of Grace in Kalookan and the San Pedro de Bautista in San Francisco del Monte, Quezon City. Its area coincided more or less with what was traditionally called Balintawak.

The parish was built adjacent to an Aglipayan chapel in close proximity to the “Monumento sa mga Bayani ng 1896”, which was erected to commemorate the Katipunan Revolution against Spain of 1896. The monument was created by Ramon Martinez and originally situated a few meters away from the parish. However, in 1968, the construction of the EDSA-Balintawak Cloverleaf Interchange led to the relocation of the monument to the University of the Philippines, approximately 9 kilometers away. As a result, the parish was subsequently moved to the slope located in the southwestern corner of the interchange.

The image of San Jose de Balintawak was said to be donated from a family in Santa Cruz, Manila first to Cardinal Santos after the family’s house was burned. He in turn donated the same image to the then newly created parish in Balintawak that can still be venerated to this day.

The devotion at present

The Feast of San Jose de Balintawak is celebrated on May 1st, which is also recognized as Labor Day in many countries around the world. For daily workers in Balintawak, the devotion to St. Joseph the Worker can provide a sense of peace and purpose in the midst of chaos. By turning to St. Joseph and asking for his intercession, workers can find the strength and inspiration they need to carry out their tasks with dignity and perseverance.

In addition to being a source of comfort for daily workers, the devotion to San Jose de Balintawak is also a reminder of the importance of family and community. St. Joseph’s dedication to his family and his role as a protector and provider serve as a model for all of us. By emulating his example, we can strengthen our relationships with our loved ones and our communities.

In conclusion, the devotion to St. Joseph the Worker is an important aspect of Catholic faith that has particular relevance to the modern busy streets of Balintawak and to daily workers around the world. By turning to St. Joseph and asking for his intercession, we can find comfort, inspiration, and purpose in our daily tasks, as well as a renewed sense of dedication to our families and communities.

San Jose de Balintawak, Ipanalangin mo kami!

References:

“About St. Joseph the Worker Parish Balintawak”, Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/SJWPbalintawak/ on September 5, 2022.

Olivares, John Paul, “Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, Quezon City: Saint Joseph the Worker Parish”, Retrieved from https://lakansining.wordpress.com/2020/01/08/epifanio-de-los-santos-avenue-quezon-city-saint-joseph-the-worker-parish/ on October 5, 2022.

Interview:

Rev. Fr. Michell Joe Zerrudo, Parish Priest of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Balintawak, Quezon City

Photos:

Canapi, Benedict
St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Balintawak, Quezon City

Special thanks to Rev. Fr. Michell Joe Zerrudo, Parish Priest of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Balintawak, Quezon City.

+AMDG+ +AMPSPC+

In the quiet yet serene Barangay of Matatalaib, located in the Tarlac City in the province of Tarlac Province, it is once known to be one of the most notable sites of pilgrimage in the province dedicated to one of the earliest known Patroness of the Tarlac – Nuestra Señora de la Merced.

The Miraculous Lady of Mercy of Matatalaib, Tarlac City, also known as Our Lady of Ransom, became a witness to the development of the faith and prosperous growth of the area, though she was once lost for sometime due to theft, but she came back to her children and continued what she loves the most – being a mother to her children in Tarlac City

The image

The beautiful image of Nuestra Señora de la Merced of Matatalaib, Tarlac City, Tarlac is that an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary carrying the Child Jesus presented as Our Lady of Mercy, the Patroness of the Mercedarian Order. The de tallado image of Nuestra Señora de la Merced of Tarlac wears the white Mercedarian habit and holds a chain, and the White Mercedarian Scapular – the standard iconography of the image.

The Child on the other hand holds a globe. At present, the image wears a set of vestments given by devotees and both Mother and Child wears crowns and the diagnostic Doce Estrellas for the Virgin.

The origins

The origins the devotion to Nuestra Señora de la Merced of Matatalaib, Tarlac City, Tarlac dates back in the first half of 1900’s when Matatalaib back then had no permanent site for it’s church to nourish the spiritual needs of the people and the site of worship moved from different sites to another. It was through Atty. Tomas Besa with the help of the Salak family that they found a site for a chapel that was donated by Salak clan and the donation deed was executed between 1945 to 1946.

The chapel was later elevated to a parish in 1955 and the parish was dedicated to Our Lady of Mercy. The beautiful image of Nuestra Señora de la Merced was donated by the Dayrit family of Angeles, Pampanga carved by Maximo Vicente. The Dayrit family are also known for their devotion to the Santo Entierro of Angeles City, Pampanga more popularly known as “Apung Mamacalulu”.

The image would later became the point of devotion of the people of Matatalaib. The devotees for decades gravitated to her naturally as flower buds turn their faces forwards the sun for nourishment.

Theft and recovery

The devotion to the Virgin of Mercy of Tarlac would be challenged in the coming years when in August of 1993, the image was sacrilegiously stolen from her altar. The image was said to stolen by an image “restorer” from Guagua, Pampanga where the image  was supposed to be restored in time for her fiesta in 1993, yet greed entered the heart of the restorer that he sacrilegiously stole it to the people and never returned. The theft of the image shattered the morale of the devotees of Matatalaib that hope seems to be lost when she was taken away from her children. It was during this time that a replacement image donated by the Balndony family was enshrined in the parish.

It seems that time prepared the way for the return of the Virgin to her abode. It was in 2012 that photos of the Virgin surfaced on social media website Facebook caught the attention of devotees that shed a ray of hope for her return. With the help of Rev. Michele Joe Zerrudo of the Diocese of Cubao, who found the image in an antique shop, the image returned to her home on August 6, 2015, in time for the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the parish.

Miracles

The devotion to Nuestra Señora de la Merced de la Ciudad de Tarlac gained much reknown during it’s early years of the parish due to several miracles that were attributed to her intercession. One of the earliest known miracles of the Virgin was on the day of her arrival to Matatalaib from Angeles, Pampanga where the weather at that time was stormy. As it reached the Matatalaib Parish, the sky became clear and bright. This instance was taken a sign that the Virgin wished to be venerated by the people of Matatalaib. It is also noteworthy that her return was also a miracle for her return coincided with the 60th anniversary of the parish’s dedication.

Since her miraculous enthronement, miracles continued to be reported through her intercession. A young man was desperate to win the hand of a woman he loved so deeply yet the woman did not share the same sentiment. His desperation was intense that when he went to her altar, he embraced the image and cried to her. All of a sudden, the woman inexplicably had a change of heart and accepted the man’s love.

The Virgin became their remedy when her faithful children were struck with different kinds of diseases. One example was a woman with breast cancer pleaded to Our Lady for her cure and she was granted a complete remission of her illness. As the Virgin of Mercy, she also helped on the temporal needs of her children in their times of need from couples and individuals seek her intercession to have good businesses, decent jobs and careers here and overseas and helping the parish for it’s financial needs.

Church recognition

As to the numerous miracles that were attributed to her intercession and pilgrims flock her parish from different parts of Tarlac and nearby provinces.

The parish of was raised to the status of a Diocesan Shrine on February 24, 2018 which coincided with the 800th anniversary of the apparition of Nuestra Señora de la Merced to the founders of the Mercedarian Order. In 2020, the image was granted the honor of Episcopal Coronation by Bishop Enrique Macaraeg, DD, Bishop of the Diocese of Tarlac. The Coronation rites took place on September 24, 2020. That same day, the city government of Tarlac City declared Nuestra Señora de la Merced de la Ciudad de Tarlac as the Queen of Tarlac City.

In 2021, the shrine was granted the honor of the Special Bond of Affinity with the Basilica of Sancta Maria Maggiore in Rome. On the day of formal rites of Special Bond of Affinity on December 7, 2022, the City Government of Tarlac City declared the image of Nuestra Señora de la Merced de Tarlac as a “City Cultural Treasure” and its Diocesan Shrine as “City Tourism Site.”

In 2022, the miraculous image of Nuestra Señora de la Merced de la Ciudad de Tarlac was granted the honor of Pontifical Coronation and the Coronation rites took place at San Sebastian Cathedral in Tarlac City on February 24, 2023.

The devotion

The devotion to Nuestra Señora de la Merced de la Ciudad de Tarlac continues to flourish in Tarlac as of this writing and pilgrims for other parts of the country, including those from Metro Manila. Miracles continued to happen through her intercession as of this writing.

All of us can attest that Our Lady is rightfully called “Mother of Mercy” becuase she is, by God’s special, prevenient grace, He created her soul to be the masterpiece of His Mercy in the world, and this special gift of grace within her was the foundation of His whole work of mercy in the world through Christ. Everything about Mary was fashioned by Divine Mercy and for the work of Divine Mercy. As devotees, we should cling to her to ask Mercy from her Son, the king of Mercy especially at these dark times where Mercy is almost diminished in this society.

Nuestra Señora de la Merced de la Ciudad de Tarlac, pray for us to your Son, The King of Mercy!

References:

Pamintuan, Hector, The Retrieval of the Missing Original Image of Nuestra Señora de la Merced, Our Lady of Ransom Parish, Matatalaib, Tarlac, 2015.
Our Lady of Ransom Parish 50th Anniversary Souvenir Program 2005. Our Lady of Ransom Parish, Matatalaib, Tarlac City, Tarlac, 2005.

Photos:

Basa, Albien F. of the Diocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Merced, Matatalaib, Tarlac.
Daquioag, Michael of Buen Viaje Ph
Inocencio, Glenn
Vallado, Kim

Special thanks to Mr. Albien F. Basa of the Diocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Merced, Matatalaib, Tarlac.
+AM+DG+

Pililla, Rizal, is known for its scenic mountainous view and its windmills which became the immediate landmarks of Pililla, Rizal. Another important landmark of this municipality is the Diocesan Shrine of St. Mary Magdalene in Pililla, Rizal as it became a solace and center of faith in this part of Rizal Province.

The Patroness

The Parish and Shrine of St. Mary Magdalene of Pililla, Rizal houses two venerated images of its patroness, one is a beautiful bas-relief and a statue of Saint Mary Magdalene. The bas-relief statue of Sta. Maria Magdalena de Pililla depicts the saint seated on a rock decorated with flowers and leaves, holding and facing a Crucifix, an earlier version of a rosary, and a book, alluding to her life of contemplation and meditation and her arm resting on a skull and whip that also alludes to her life as a penitent after the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. She wears a red robe and a yellow cloak with loose hair with an aureola and her countenance in an act of meditation. The bas-relief image is enshrined at the side chapel of the church.

The ivory statue on the other hand also wears the same color scheme as that of the bas-relief image. The ivory image is the processional image of the shrine which is fashioned in a typical Holy Week female “santa”: wears a tiara and aureola, is dressed in “palikpik” style of vesting, and have a sorrowful mien. In recent years, a replica of the statue serves as the “Indakan” processional image.

Origins

In 1571, the Spaniards conquered and inhabited the towns along Laguna de Bay. Prior to Spanish colonization, Pililla was named “Pilang Munti”. It was incorporated into the administration of Morong and was named Pilang Morong.

The Franciscan priests led by Fr. Diego de Oropesa, OFM and Fr. Juan de Plasencia, OFM arrived at Pilang Morong in 1572. As part of the established reduccion system, the Franciscans built the first church made from cogon and nipa in 1583. When Pilang Morong was given autonomy in 1599, the central government granted authorization to construct a church of stone. The Church was dedicated in honor of St. Mary Magdalene.

In 1632, a conflagration destroyed the church and the whole town. When a new church was built, another destruction by fire ruined the church in 1668. A new church was immediately completed between 1670 and 1673. Renovation of the church altar and the adjacent convent was completed in 1848. Several renovation projects were also completed over the years and survived numerous natural disasters.

On January 16, 1977, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines unveiled the historical marker of St. Mary Magdalene Parish Church. On July 22, 2018,

The parish was declared a diocesan shrine, the lone shrine dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene in the Diocese of Antipolo. In 2022, the Shrine became an “affiliate church” of the Minor Basilica and Parish of St. Mary Magdalene in the town of Saint-Maximin-la-Ste-Baume in France, held by tradition as where St. Mary Magdalene lived for the rest of her life.

The Devotion at present

Over the centuries, numerous devotions and traditions have emerged to promote the spiritual growth of the faithful. Among these is the Magdala Festival, which includes street dances and a reverential procession on July 22, the feast day of Saint Mary Magdalene. In 2019, the “Indakan sa karangalan ni Sta. Maria Magdalena” was introduced to enhance and reinforce the devotion to Pililla’s patroness.

The devotion to Saint Mary Magdalene in Pililla has been flourishing for many years. This patroness is venerated for her intercession and spiritual guidance. The local community’s commitment to preserving and promoting this tradition has contributed to the continued growth of the devotion to Saint Mary Magdalene in Pililla.

Devotion to St. Mary Magdalene holds great importance to the faithful, as she is regarded as a powerful intercessor and a patron saint of various causes, including penitent sinners, contemplative prayer, and those who are ridiculed or falsely accused. Her story of conversion and unwavering devotion to Jesus Christ is seen as an inspiration for those seeking spiritual transformation and a deeper relationship with God. Her example of steadfast faith and courage in the face of adversity also serves as a source of strength for those who face trials and tribulations in their own lives. For many Christians, St. Mary Magdalene represents the transformative power of God’s love and the hope of redemption, making her a beloved and revered figure in the Church.

References:

Panganiban, Kendrick Ivan, “Historic Profile of the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Mary Magdalene, Pililla, Rizal, Philippines” [Unpublished manuscript], 2021.

Panganiban, Kendrick Ivan, “Indakan ng Pililla in honor of St. Mary Magdalene”, Parish of St. Mary Magdalene, Pililla, Rizal, Philippines [Unpublished manuscript], 2021.

Paz, “A Brief History of Pililla” in A Tribute to Rev. Msgr. Vicente Ma. Reyes for the 25th Years of Priestly Ministry in the Parish of St. Mary Magdalene (Pililla, Rizal: St. Mary Magdalene Parish, 1984), n.p.

St. Mary Magdalene Parish, Oneness in Faith: 430th Year of St Mary Magdalene Parish in Pililla, Rizal, Philippines (Souvenir Book). Pililla, Rizal: St. Mary Magdalene Parish, 2018), 18.

Photos:

Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Mary Magdalene, Pililla, Rizal

Special thanks to Bro. Kendrick Ivan Panganiban for the help and guidance on preparing this blogpost.

+AMDG+ +AMPSPC+

As the year 2023 opened, the Philippines was once again visited by the famed miraculous Pilgrim Relics of one the Church’s most celebrated saints in modern times, St. Therese of the Child Jesus for the fifth time as of this writing. The devotion to the Little Flower of Jesus in the Philippines was very popular that the faithful awaits her international tour to bring hope and to shower the roses of grace to all her devotees in the archipelago.

The year 2023 is a special year for devotees of the Little Flower as the Basilica of Lisieux and the Church celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of St. Therese of the Child Jesus and her arrival in the country this year coincided with the actual date of her birth on January 2, 2023.

For this blogpost, let us have a look at the life of the Little Flower, her impact on the Church, and how the famed Pilgrim relics came to be and toured the world up to this day.

The Life of St. Therese of the Child Jesus

Born Marie-Françoise-Thérèse Martin in 1873 in Alençon, France. Thérèse was the youngest of nine children, five of whom survived childhood. After her mother died of breast cancer in 1877, Thérèse moved with her family to Lisieux. In the deeply religious atmosphere of her home, her piety developed early and intensively. All four of her elder sisters became nuns, and at the age of 15, she entered the Carmelite convent at Lisieux, having been refused admission a year earlier.

Although she suffered from depression, scruples—a causeless feeling of guilt—and, in the end, religious doubts, she kept the rule to perfection and maintained a smiling, pleasant, and unselfish manner. The story of Thérèse’s spiritual development was related in a collection of her epistolary essays, written by order of the prioresses and published in 1898 under the title “Story of a Soul”. Her popularity is largely a result of this work, which conveys her loving pursuit of holiness in ordinary life. St. Thérèse defined her doctrine of the Little Way as “the way of spiritual childhood, the way of trust and absolute surrender.” She died of tuberculosis in 1897 at the age of 24 and was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1925. She is the youngest person to be designated as Doctor of the Church by St. John Paul II in 1997.

The Pilgrim Relics

The famed pilgrim Reliquary that travels around the world is originally called the “Centennial Reliquary,” as this was made during the Centenary of her Death in 1997. It is made from precious tropical-scented Jacaranda hardwood (Jacaranda mimosifolia) from South America. A solid silver case, dipped in gold, containing some of the precious remains of St. Therese is inside this Reliquary.

The Reliquary’s wooden base is 3 1/10 inches thick. There are eight metal hands – three on each side and one at each end of the wooden base; there are also two retractable poles at each end of the wooden base, all to facilitate handling and carrying.

Since 1994, the Pilgrim Relics of St. Therese, which also comprise her religious habit, rosary, and other artifacts, have been traveling throughout the world up to this day.

St. Therese and the Filipino faithful

The Little Flower gained popularity in the Philippines the moment her autobiography was published and numerous parishes and shrines were dedicated to her, especially during her beatification and canonization. Her popularity is clearly evident with the name “Teresita” or “Therese” becoming one of the most popular names given to young girls in the country.

There were also numerous shrines dedicated to the Little Flower all over the country and the presence of the Carmelites in the country helped in the propagation of the devotion to St. Therese.

The frequent tour of the Pilgrim relics in the Philippines

The Pilgrim relics of St. Therese of the Child Jesus first arrived in the Philippines in the Great Jubilee Year 2000 and would return to our country in 2008, 2012, and 2018. Since the Year 2000, the Military Ordinate of the Philippines would host the nationwide tour of the pilgrim relics with the endorsement of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and approved by the Basilica of St. Therese in Lisieux, France.

The fruits of the tour

Over the years, numerous miracles took place that devotees testified during the tour of the Little Flower’s Pilgrim relics. The continuous miracles that Saint Therese of the Child Jesus has brought to Filipino devotees through her pilgrim relics are a testament to her enduring power and love. Throughout the country, countless individuals have reported physical healings, emotional healings, and profound spiritual experiences after visiting her relics. These miracles are a reminder of the ever-present grace and love of God, as well as the powerful intercession of Saint Therese.

Her pilgrim relics continue to inspire devotion and bring hope to all who encounter them, reminding us of the incredible love and compassion that Saint Therese lived and taught during her life on earth.

The devotion to Saint Therese of the Child Jesus in the Philippines is a testament to the power of her message of simple faith and unconditional love. Her message of ‘The Little Way’ has touched the hearts of countless Filipinos, inspiring them to lead lives of humility, selflessness, and love for all. Her message continues to spread hope and bring comfort to those in need, serving as a beacon of light for those seeking a deeper connection with God. The Philippines is proud to be home to many faithful devotees who carry on the legacy of Saint Therese and her message of love, hope, and devotion.

St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us!

References:

Arguelles, Ramon, DD, “Therese and Her Little Way: A Primer on the occasion of the Visit of her relics to the Philippines”, Military Ordinate of the Philippines, 1999.

Butler, Alban, “Lives of the Saints”, Tan Books, USA, 1999.

Fink, John “The Doctors of the Church, The Church’s Great Teachers of the First Millennium Vol. 1 “ St. Pauls Philippines, San Antonio Village, Makati City, 2001.

“St. Therese Her Life, Her Message: A short catechesis in preparation for the 4th Philippine Visit of the Pilgrim Relics of St. Therese of the Child Jesus 12 January to 31 May 2018” St. Therese Columbarium, Pasay City, 2018.

“The Pilgrim Relics”, Retrieved from https://dev.thereserelics.ph/the-pilgrim-relics/ on February 7, 2023.

“The Relic of St. Therese of the Child Jesus in Manila”, Retrieved from https://writtenbyraindrops.blogspot.com/2018/03/the-relic-of-st-therese-of-child-jesus.html on February 1, 2023.

Photos:

5th Visit of the Relics of St. Therese to the Philippines Facebook Page
Archdiocese of Manila Media Center

+AMDG+ +AMSPC+

The City of Biñan in Laguna, at present, is known as one of the most thriving suburban residential communities in Mega Manila and a location for some of the Philippines’ largest industrial estates and export processing zones. Biñan is also known for its rich history, from the moment of its discovery by Captain Juan de Salcedo in 1571 to its role in the life of our National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.

The City’s Miraculous Queen and Patroness, Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje de Biñan became a loving mother and a witness to the historic progress of the city and the formative years of the young Rizal which the image became an intangible link both the past and the present.

The Image

The image of Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje de Biñan is a beautiful image of the Blessed Mother which is a replica of the famed image of Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje of Antipolo, Rizal. It has an ivory head and hands mounted on a wooden body standing on cloud peaña garbed in regal vestments comprising of a dress, manggas largas, and a cape. At times, she is vested with her silver plancha on special occassions. The Virgin of Biñan is adorned with jewels from her rings on her hands while holding a scepter, a pair of earrings, a headband studded with precious stones, a crown, and an aureola with doce estrellas adorning her head.

The image is currently enshrined on her special altar at the parish for the veneration of the faithful.

The Beginning of the devotion

The Parish of Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje of Biñan, Laguna was said to be established first as a visita (chapel) in 1867 due to its churchbell bearing the date. The chapel was built from stone and mortar on land donated by Maria Yaptinchay-Almeda, spouse of Capitan Andressing Almeda (Capitan of Biñan in 1888) in 1868 to the Archbishop of Lipa. The Chapel was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the popular title “Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje”.

The origin of the image is uncertain, yet it is believed that the image was found floating in the river and was taken and later enshrined in the chapel. In the 1960s, the image was damaged by fire after a candle placed by a devotee damaged the image’s urn. During the image’s restoration work, it was estimated that it was carved in the 1800s due to the style of carving employed to carve the image.

Jose Rizal and the Virgin of Biñan

It is already a known fact that our National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal and his family are devotees of the famed image of Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje venerated at her shrine in Antipolo, Rizal. In the 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 pregnancy that she almost died of childbirth because of his big head had 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 yet it was his father, Don Francisco Mercado Rizal who accompanied him on their frequent pilgrimages to Antipolo since Doña Teodora was advancing with age which limits her movements in the years to come.

From here we see that it was this vow from his parents that helped cultivate his devotion to the Brown Virgin that would carry on throughout his entire life. When he was sent to Biñan, Laguna (the birthplace of his father) for early studies in 1871 under the guidance of Justiniano Aquino y Cruz, he would frequently visit the chapel dedicated to Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje de Biñan. He would later write “Junto al Pasig” dedicated to the Virgin of Peace and Good Voyage during his years in Manila and would be referenced in his works, most notably “Noli Me Tangere”.

Though he did not write any criticisms about the Blessed Virgin Mary in his later works in the Propaganda movement, especially in his two novels, it was the misguided pious acts towards her that he questioned to show the hypocrisy of society in treating the divine as a getaway from their wrongdoings and much excess. 

Centuries later, a hymn dedicated to Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje de Biñan was written by Mr. Michael delos Reyes, a well-respected author on Philippine popular piety and history, and music by Mr. Messiah James Tagle based on the homage to the Blessed Virgin Mary in Dr. Jose Rizal’s play “Junto al Pasig” entitled “Birhen ng Kapayapaan, Reyna ng Biñan”.

Growth of the devotion

The chapel became a parish on January 24, 1968, the Feast of Nuestra Señora De la Paz y Buen Viaje of Biñan. The parish became the first Parish in Biñan, Laguna dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The old stone and mortar chapel and wooden rectory were torn in 1988 with a new church building were built that can still be seen today.

Through the years, the devotion grew over the years as numerous miracles were attributed to the Virgin of Biñan, most notably the protection of her abode during the Second World War.

In recent years, a special bond between the parish and the International Shrine and Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo was formed in recognition of the historical links between the two churches. The image would visit the International Shrine and Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo, Rizal during the Antipolo Pilgrimage season and in a special visit in 2022. The official replica of the Virgin of Antipolo would also visit the Biñan Parish, most recently in 2021.

Ecclesiastical and Civil Recognition

The Parish of Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje de Biñan was declared a Barangay Historical Site in 2016 and a Local Historical Site by the City of Biñan due to the connection of the parish to the life of Dr. Jose Rizal. A monument of a young Dr. Jose Rizal was inaugurated on December 30, 2016, in the vicinity of the parish.

In 2018, in celebration of the 50th Canonical Erection Anniversary of the parish, a City Resolution was issued proclaiming the Virgin as “Reyna ng Biñan” and was symbolically crowned by His Excellency, Bishop Buenaventura Famadico on January 21, 2018.

In 2022, the venerable and miraculous image of Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje de Biñan was granted the honor of Episcopal Coronation that took place on September 8, 2022 – Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary officiated by Bishop Famadico.

The Devotion at present

The feast of Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje de Biñan is celebrated every January 24 with a novena, a caracol, and a solemn procession in her honor. Devotees flock to her shrine over the years which helped in the growth of the devotion to the Virgin of Biñan.

The devotion to Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje de Biñan is a testament of strong faith for the people of Biñan as they continue with their journey in life as they face their everyday struggles.

As we conclude this blogpost, we are sharing the prayer to Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje de Biñan:

Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje, minamahal naming Reyna ng Biñan, ipakilala mo sa bawat mag-anak ang kapayapaan na hindi maibibigay ng sinuman, kapayapaang lubos at sadyang ipinagbilin ng iyong Anak sa Kanyang mga alagad, kapayapaang lubos na magbibigay sa amin ng lakas na patawarin namin ang mga nakagawa sa amin ng pagkakamali at kasamaan. Igawad mo sa aming puso at kaluluwa ang kapayapaang totoo, habang kami ay naglalakbay dito sa lupang bayang kahapis-hapis.

Pangunahan mo kami sa landas na binabagtas namin sa buhay at matutuhan sana namin nang lubos ang landas ng pag-asa, at pagtalima sa kalooban ng Diyos. Ituro at dalhin mo po kami sa kagalingan, sa anumang aming gagawin at isipin, at ilayo kami sa mga silo ng kasamaan, upang sa iyong tulong at saklolo ay makamtan namin sa oras ng kamatayan ang kaluwalhatian ng iyong katamis-tamisang Anak. Amen.

Panawagan nami’y pakinggan, O Birhen ng Kapayapaan

References:

Balerite, Gaspar, “Jose P. Rizal: Human and Catholic“, Paulines Publishing House, Pasay City, 2017.

Borja, Bryan Jayson, “Ang Kasaysayan ng Parokya ng Nuestra Señora dela Paz y Buenviaje”, Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/ReynangBinanofficial/about/?ref=page_internal on November 15, 2022.

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).

Pacris, Vicky, et al. “Mapping of Significant Tangible Movable Heritage – Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje de Biñan”, Biñan City Culture, History, Arts and Tourism Office, Biñan, Laguna, 2021.

Photos:

BCHATO Creatives
Michael Daquioag of Buen Viaje PH
Nuestra Señora dela Paz y Buen Viaje Parish, Biñan, Laguna

Special thanks to Rev. Fr. Raul Matienzo, Parish Priest of Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje Parish, Biñan, Laguna, and to Mr. Bryan Jayson Borja, the camarero of the image of the Virgin for the help and support on making this blog entry dedicated to the Queen of Biñan.

+AMDG+ +AMPSPC+

December 31, 2022.

As the world prepares itself to welcome the New Year 2023, the news broke out of the demise of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI at Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in Rome shocked the world and turned the rest of the day’s festive mood to a somber one as a key figure in the Catholic Church passed away in silence.

After years of preparing for his homecoming to the Father, he spent his final years in solitude praying for the Church as he witnessed the challenges that continued to haunt his papacy continued and became worse and his works being dismantled which broke his heart. Despite the situation that he was in, he became a source of strength to all faithful Catholics who uphold the purity of the Church’s teaching and liturgy in the face of rampant modernism and secularism that were perpetuated that caused the decline of the faith in different parts of the world.

But who is this man that the faithful revere as the “Intellectual Pope” and defender of the faith in modern times that earned much respect and ire at the same time?

The Life of Joseph Alois Ratzinger

Joseph Alois Ratzinger was born in Bavaria, Germany on April 16, 1927, as the third and youngest child of Joseph Ratzinger Sr., a police officer, and Maria Ratzinger. His elder brother, Rev. Fr. Georg Ratzinger was the former director of the Regensburger Domspatzen choir.

In his early life, he felt the call for the priesthood when at the age of five, he was in a group of children who welcomed the visiting Cardinal Archbishop of Munich, Michael von Faulhaber, with flowers. Struck by the cardinal’s distinctive garb, he announced later that day that he wanted to be a cardinal. He attended the elementary school in Aschau am Inn, which was renamed in his honor in 2009. In 1939, aged 12, he enrolled in a minor seminary in Traunstein but was interrupted as he was drafted into the German anti-aircraft corps as Luftwaffenhelfer which he resented and later left after they executed his cousin with Down syndrome.

His life as a Minister of Christ

Joseph and his brother Georg later entered Saint Michael Seminary in Traunstein in November 1945, later studying at the Ducal Georgianum of the Ludwig-Maximilian University in Munich. They were both ordained in Freising on June 29, 1951, by Cardinal Michael von Faulhaber of Munich.

In 1953, he obtained a doctorate in theology with his thesis “The People and the House of God in St. Augustine’s Doctrine of the Church.” He then taught dogma and fundamental theology at Freising, Bonn, Munster, Tubing, and Regensburg. In 1962, he became a consultor to Cardinal Joseph Frings at the Second Vatican Council.

In 1977 he was appointed as the Archbishop of Munich and Freising and on May 28, 1977, he was appointed as the Archbishop of Bavaria. On June 27, 1977, he was created a Cardinal by Pope St. Paul VI and was appointed as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith and President of the Biblical Commission and Pontifical International Theological Commission on November 25, 1981. He was elected vice dean of the College of Cardinals in 1988 and Dean in 2002.

During his tenure in his see and later in the key offices at the Vatican, his unimpeachable correctness and his doctrinal authority stood out as evident with his studies and theological writings that are still creating an impact on the Church, so much so that he helped with the development of the compendium of Catholic Doctrine for the modern world with the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” promulgated during the Pontificate of St. John Paul II. Cardinal Ratzinger had a reputation as a hardliner during his tenure as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith that even his toughest critics acknowledged his intelligence and his capacity to examine contentious issues in a dispassionate and impartial manner, as well as his humility and tenderness.

His Papacy

On April 19, 2005, Cardinal Ratzinger was elected the 265th Successor of St. Peter and took the name “Benedict XVI” and formally began his Papacy on April 24, 2005.

His papacy faced several challenges, including a decline in vocations and church attendance, divisive debates concerning the direction of the church, and numerous cases of sexual abuse by erring clergy. In order to combat the rising secularization of many Western nations and other issues that continues to plague the world, Benedict XVI promoted a return to essential Christian values throughout his pontificate. He considered relativism’s rejection of moral truths in particular as the main issue of the twenty-first century. He stressed the significance of both the Catholic Church and knowledge of God’s redemptive love.

Throughout his papacy, he wrote three encyclicals: Deus caritas est (Latin for “God is Love”), Spe Salvi (“Saved by Hope”), and Caritas in Veritate (“Love in Truth”). He carried out numerous Apostolic activities including journeys across the world and in the Vatican as he traveled extensively during the first three years of his papacy. He has also written numerous books, including his best-selling trilogy “Jesus of Nazareth” series.

Probably the most enduring legacy of his Papacy is his motu propio “Summorum Pontificum”, issued on July 7, 2007, which he made the Traditional Latin Mass more accessible to the faithful and created an impact in the renewal of the Catholic faith in different parts of the world and the conversion of many back to the Catholic Church and increase of vocations. Although this was reverted with the issuance of Pope Francis’ “Traditionis Custodes” in 2021, the former motu propio continued to make an impact as it is now seen as a way to aid the re-Christianization of the world in the face of secularism and relativism.

In relation to his legacy in the liturgy, part of this effort was his involvement in the translation of the third edition of the Roman Missal which he wanted the Latin prayers to be translated both accurately and also with a sense of beauty in the language.

He did not intend to make himself popular like his predecessor and later his successor. Still, he read the signs of the times as it was during his Pontificate that the need to evangelize using the modern platform, the internet deemed necessary. He remarked in 2011, “Today we are called to discover also in the digital culture symbols and metaphors which are meaningful to people and can be of help in talking about the Kingdom of God to contemporary man”. In 2012, he opened his own Twitter account @Pontifex in 9 languages, from Latin to English, as a means to share in the social media space the “gentle light of the faith”. This became the precursor of online evangelization that came into full swing in recent years, especially during the current pandemic.

Pope Benedict XVI and the Filipino faithful

During his Pontificate, he gave the Philippines 2 Cardinals, namely Archbishop Emeritus Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales and Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, 6 Marian images that were granted Pontifical Coronations, elevated numerous Bishops for different Dioceses, creation of new Dioceses, declared the Servant of God Mo. Ignacia del Espiritu Santo “Venerable” and canonized St. Pedro Calungsod.

Even if Pope Benedict XVI was not able to visit the Philippines during his papacy, the Filipino faithful created an impact which was evident in the work “Last Testament” published in 2016. He acknowledged the important role of the Filipino faithful can play in “bringing new dynamism to the Church” and waking the West from its “exhaustion” and “forgetfulness of the faith.”

“We are seeing new elements, such as African, South American or Filipino elements, bringing new dynamism to the Church which can reinvigorate the tired West, wake it from its exhaustion, from its forgetfulness of the faith.”

He witnessed this energy of the Filipino Catholic faithful when he welcomed thousands of Filipino pilgrims to Saint Peter’s Square on October 21, 2012, for the canonization of St. Pedro Calungsod, the second Filipino Saint. He remarked during the canonization homily: “May the example and courageous witness of Pedro Calungsod inspire the dear people of the Philippines to announce the Kingdom bravely and to win souls for God.”

During the Quadricentennial Celebrations of the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas in 2011, he gave a recorded video telecast giving his apostolic blessing as he sees the lone Pontifical University in Asia that “continues to play a very important role in the Church throughout the region. I am confident that, keeping in mind the faith and reason that are always part of a truly integrated approach to education, your University will continue to contribute to the intellectual, spiritual and cultural enrichment of the Philippines and beyond. I also pray that you will always seek a knowledge of matters human and divine in the light of that ultimate clarity found in the person of Jesus Christ”.

His resignation and his life of prayer and solitude

To the surprise of the world, Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation on February 11, 2013, on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, citing a “lack of strength of mind and body” as a result of his advanced age. He was the first pope to resign since Gregory XII in 1415, and the first since Celestine V in 1294 to do so of his own volition. In 2013, Jorge Cardinal Bergoglio of Argentina was elected Pope and took the name “Francis”.

He chose to be known as “Pope emeritus” upon his resignation, and he retained this title until his death. Now as Pope Emeritus, he took residence at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican and continued to serve the church “through a life dedicated to prayer”. He dedicated himself to prayer and study and writing in the remaining years since his resignation. He would later grace different Papal events at the request of his successor Pope Francis, most notably the canonization of St. John Paul II and St. John XXIII in 2014.

His death and funeral

During his final years, he considered his stay at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery as his preparation to meet the Lord to whom he dedicated his life and works. On December 28, 2022, Feast of the Holy Innocents, Pope Francis announced at the end of his General Audience that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was “very sick” and asked for prayers for his recovery. That same day, the Holy See Press Office stated that “In the last few hours there has been an aggravation of his health due to advancing age” and was under medical care.

A few days later, on the Feast of St. Sylvester I and Eve of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, Pope Benedict XVI uttered his last words “Jesus, I Love You!” and died on December 31, 2022, at 9:34 am at Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, in the Vatican. He was 95 years old. In the words from his spiritual testament: “Finally, I humbly ask: pray for me, so that the Lord may admit me to the eternal dwellings, despite all my sins and shortcomings. For all those entrusted to me, my heartfelt prayer goes out day after day.“

The world mourns his death and the faithful all over the world offered requiem masses and prayers for the repose of his soul. Patriarchs and other Church leaders of different faiths offered their condolences to this great Pastor Bonus.

His remains were transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica on January 2, 2023 where it lied in state to give the faithful from all over the world the pay their last respects. The Solemn Funeral rites took place on January 5, 2023 – Eve of the Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ at St. Peter’s Square in Rome attended by the clergy, the faithful, foreign and local dignitaries, Patriarchs of different Orthodox Churches, and heads of other religions ans sects in different parts of the globe to pay their final respects. This was the first time a Pontiff attended a funeral for his predecessor and according to the New York Times, it is described as an “unusual precedent”.

In his homily, Pope Francis commends his predecessor into the loving hands of God the Father and prays that his joy may now be complete as he contemplates the Lord face to face. His remains are buried in the crypt beneath St Peter’s Basilica, in an area that was once occupied by the coffin of his predecessor, Pope St. John Paul II.

His legacy

In the words from his spiritual testament: “Finally, I humbly ask: pray for me, so that the Lord may admit me to the eternal dwellings, despite all my sins and shortcomings. For all those entrusted to me, my heartfelt prayer goes out day after day.”

During the Requiem Mass, calls for his sainthood were echoed as banners of “Santo Subito” and “Dottore delle Chiesa” were raised. Such were the acclaims as the faithful and other secular scholars began to appreciate his works and saw them in a brand new light.

He may not be as popular as his predecessor and successor, but he definitely made a mark in the history of the Church as he upheld the creeds of the Church and taught them with conviction. He died as he lived. Thinking and writing about how to defend and advance the faith in an increasingly secular world.

In the words of Rev. Fr. Jojo Zerrudo, in his homily for a requiem mass offered for the repose of the late Pontiff’s soul, his remarks sum up who Benedict XVI is:

“You might be surprised to find out that the media is not talking much about him … That goes to show you how effective a sign Benedict was to the world. By upholding Catholic teaching, he earned the ire of the seculars, he earned the ire of the media. Maybe, admittedly, he is not as popular as Pope Francis. Yet you see, that itself is a sign because the Lord himself said ‘If the world hates you, know that it has hated me first. And the world loves its own.’ And the world definitely does not love Benedict because he stood for Christ even against the opinion of the world. Benedict did not make any attempt to make himself popular. And in his final days, he led a life hidden in Christ.”

As we end this simple tribute to one of the Great Popes in our modern times, we are sharing a prayer approved by Bishop Carlos Rossi Keller of the Diocese of Frederico Westphale in Brazil days after the funeral of Pope Benedict XVI to ask for his intercession:

Prayer for the intercession of Pope Benedict XVI
(With Ecclesiastical Approval for Private Use)

Eternal and Almighty God, who inspired in the heart of your servant Pope Benedict XVI the sincere desire to encounter you and announce you, becoming a humble “co-operator with the truth” and offering himself as a servant, for Christ and for the Church, make me also know how to love the Church of Christ and to be able to follow in my life the eternal truths that she proclaims.

Deign, Lord, to glorify your servant, Pope Benedict XVI, and grant, through his intercession, the favor I now ask of you (mention your petition). Amen.

Followed by Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be.

For graces attributed to the intercession of Pope Benedict XVI must be communicated to the Vicariate of Rome, with a letter written to the following address:

His Eminence Cardinal Vicar for the Diocese of Rome
Piazza di S. Giovanni in Laterano
6, 00184 Rome RM, Italy

References:

Bunderson, Carl, “Beauty in liturgy the ‘great legacy’ of Benedict XVI” Retrieved from https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/26686/beauty-in-liturgy-the-great-legacy-of-benedict-xvi on January 4, 2023.

Cheng, Willard, “Pope Benedict XVI, a pontiff who lauded the role of Filipino faithful” Retrieved from https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/31/22/pope-benedict-xvi-a-pontiff-who-lauded-the-role-of-filipino-faithful on January 2, 2023.

“Pope Benedict XVI announces his resignation at end of month”, Vatican Radio, February 11, 2013, Retrieved January 3, 2023.

Tobin, Greg. “Holy Father: Pope Benedict XVI: Pontiff for a New Era”, Sterling, 2005.

Photos:

Getty images
Google Image
L’Ossevatore Romano
University of Santo Tomas
Vatican Media

In loving Memory of His Holiness for molding my faith in my younger years and to thank him for making the Traditional Latin Mass more accessible to our generation.

+AMDG+ +AMPSPC+