- Our Lady of Manaoag
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Our Lady of Manaoag enshrined above the high altar.
Closeup of Our Lady of Manaoag. The jeweled garments now encased under bulletproof glass, were donated by devotees and patrons over time.Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag (formally: Nuestra Señora del Santissimo Rosario de Manaoag, literal translation: Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag) is a 17th century Roman Catholic ivory icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the central figure at the altar of her shrine located in Manaoag, Pangasinan. Locally known as the patroness of the town, it is one of the most venerated Marian images of Mary in the Republic of the Philippines.
The statue's reputed miracles became famous in the 1940s. Several Japanese bombs were dropped within the church's vicinity. A bomb which fell on the statue's sanctuarium remained intact and did not explode. Commonly addressed as Apo Baket in native Pangasinense and Ilocano dialect, Mary, under this title, is officially known as the patroness of the sick, the helpless and the needy.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag, located in the municipality of Manaoag is situated 200 kilometers north of Manila, is one of the most popular and widely visited Roman Catholic Pilgrimage sites in the Philippines. It is administered by the Dominican Order under the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan.
Cardinal Bernard Francis Law, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, with permission of Pope Benedict XVI granted a plenary indulgence[citation needed] for the visitors of the shrine just as if one would visit a papal basilica in Rome. This was confirmed by the prelate of the Lingayen-Dagupan Diocese, Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas, in a circular dated June 13, 2011.[citation needed] According to the official document and upon confirmation by a Dominican official of the shrine who was among the priests who went to Rome for the signing of the agreement, the plenary indulgence may be obtained on each visit to the shrine subject to three conditions for each occasion: (1) going to confession immediately before the pilgrimage; (2) receiving the Eucharist during the pilgrimage; and (3) praying for the intentions of the Pope; each done in a spirit of detachment from the attraction of sin.
On July 22, 2011, a special mass was held which launched a spiritual bond of affinity of the Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag with the Shrine of the Papal and the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome. Contrary to recent publicized news articles, the shrine was not elevated to the official title of Minor Basilica. Rather, through the affiliation with the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, it assured the pilgrims who visit the Marian Shrine of the same blessings of the Lord and a plenary indulgence for its devotees. Pope Benedict XVI canonically approved the grant of the plenary indulgence last June 21, 2011. The affiliation grants the same indulgences which can only be received from the Papal Basilicas located in Rome. Currently, only the Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag holds this title of papal affiliation in the Philippines. This is in recognition of the innumerable miracles and supernatural events that have occurred within the over 400 years timeline of the shrine inspiring greater devotion to Our Lady of Manaoag.
Contents
History
Photograph of Our Lady of Manaoag for PublicationThe original image of the Our Lady of Manaoag was brought by the Augustinian friars who were in charge of the spiritual administration of the Manaoag town from the year 1590 to 1613 in accordance to the sanctified decree of Spain. In 1614, the spiritual leadership was transferred to the Dominicans, under the patronage of Saint Monica.[1]
In the early 17th century, the ivory image was brought to the Philippines by Padre Juan de San Jacinto from Spain via Acapulco.[1]
According to documented accounts dating back to 1610, a native man who was walking home heard a Lady's mysterious voice. He looked around and with great awe he saw the radiant Lady with a Rosary on her right hand and a Child on her left as she stood on a cloud veiling a treetop. The man fell on his knees. He told the people of the apparition. And soon right on the spot where the Lady appeared a chapel was built. A town quickly flourished around it and was called "Manaoag".[1]
Tradition has it that the town itself was born from the Virgin Mary’s call, thus the term, "taoag" meaning "to call" was used to name the town. This is where the name Manaoag was derived from, which means "She Calls".[1]
During World War II, the Church suffered moderate damage. 4 bombs were released on top of the church. 3 bombs landed on the plaza and the facade, destroying them both. One bomb landed in the sanctuary, but failed to explode.[1] The church was rebuilt, and today, it is an active parish serving Manaoag and the surrounding area.
Miracles
Our Lady of Manaoag has a long history of renowned miraculous and pious events. Some of the earliest are replicated in the murals within the church to depict the original miracle that saved the town from a wildfire, the origin of the basilica and the parish, and to portray and document those miraculous events for the appreciation of the beholder, especially the pilgrims. Devotees, from all over the globe, have varied persuasions for visiting the shrine or imploring the vital and distinctively extraordinary intercession of Our Lady of Manaoag among which are pleas pertaining to good health, cure for diseases or afflictions, good voyage, posterity, the family, career, business, academic or professional examinations, surmounting challenges or trials, or any personal petition or thanksgiving.
The magnanimously miraculous Our Lady of Manaoag has brought distinctive honor and fame to the eponymous town in particular and to the province of Pangasinan in general.
One of the miraculous accounts regarding Our Lady of Manaoag dates back to the times when early pagans from the mountain tribes burn down newly converted Christian villages. The town of Manaoag was not spared from this. It was set on fire. The church with its thatched roof was the last refuge of the people. The leader of the pillagers climbed over its fence and shot flaming arrows to all parts of the church, but all in vain. It was not set afire.
Another miraculous event was nationally reported during World War II. The Japanese army dropped several bombs over the roof of the Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag but inflicted no damage to the roof and the shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Pangasinan Shrine
The Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag is located at Km. 203 (via the town of Binalonan) in Manaoag, Pangasinan. It is easily accessible by public transportation.
The original icon of Our Lady of Manaoag is considered priceless with its bejeweled crown. There have been several attempts to burglarize the Manaoag Shrine.
Several golden crowns and halos are reposited at the Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag Museum, which were donated by both Filipinos and foreigners. An expensive collection of the vestments that have been used by Our Lady of Manaoag are also on display. A large array of lavishly elegant perfumes is likewise showcased at the Shrine Museum. These were donated by devotees and pilgrims from across the globe as tokens of gratitude or presents to Our Lady of Manaoag.
The image of Our Lady of Manaoag is fully secured with bulletproof glass panels on the altar of the shrine. The Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, reckoning with the devotees’ zealous desire to fervently touch at least the garment of the image of the miraculous Our Lady of Manaoag albeit briefly, facilitated this through a staircase that rises to a second floor at the back of the altar. It was also provided with pews. People queue-up to the glass panel at the back-side of the image of Our Lady of Manaoag. After a quick prayer and touching the garment, devotees pass through the souvenir shop on their way out.
A huge crowd attended on April 21, 1926 as the then Papal Nuncio, by the authority of His Holiness Pope Pius XI, canonically crowned Our Lady of Manaoag. The Diamond Jubilee of her coronation was celebrated on January 1, 2000.
Every year, thousands continue to flock to the Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag. The 4 a.m. procession and dawn rosary every first Saturday preceding the 5 a.m. mass is well attended by pilgrims mostly from Metro Manila and from Regions I (Ilocos), II (Cagayan Valley), and III (Central Luzon). There are staunch devotees coming from Metro Manila who remarkably hear mass regularly every week.
The feast of Our Lady of Manaoag is on the third Wednesday after Easter. It also celebrates the universal feast day of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary every first Sunday of October.
The blessing of religious articles and vehicles at the back of the church grounds is after every mass. Holy water is dispensed free to those who seek to have their receptacles filled. Masses for petitions and thanksgiving may be offered during the regular schedule. Masses for the dearly departed may be offered on any of the Friday masses.
St. Hedwig's Parish, Chicago
One of Chicago's Polish cathedrals, St. Hedwig's Roman Catholic Church, has a shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag in one of its side altars. A fire from the basement burned a 15 feet by 3 feet hole beneath the altar in April 2008 thereby destroying the statue of Our Lady of Manaoag brought by devotees. A replacement statue has been issued in its place. [2],
See also
References
External links
Categories:- Marian shrines
- Roman Catholic churches in the Philippines
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