Marian advocacy of the Philippines
East Pearl, land of Mary
The Philippines is the largest Catholic country in Asia (~ 85%, 90 million faithful). Devotion to the Virgin Mary is the heart of Filipino piety, heritage of the Spanish colonization (1565- 1898). The Virgin of the Rosary of La Naval (patron saint of the country), Manaoag, Antipolo, Caysasay, Penafrancia and the Virgin of the Pilar of Zamboanga stand out.
Main data
Marian Wonders and Anecdotes of the Philippines
- Batalla de La Naval (1646): Five Filipino ships defeated fifteen Dutch after being entrusted to the Rosary. The victory was declared miraculous and the Virgin proclaimed patron of the country.
- Manaoag and the guava tree: A walker found an image of the Virgin in a tree. I'm taking her to town, but she's going back to the tree. The Basilica of Manaoag receives millions of pilgrims.
- The miraculous well of Caysasay: An image of the Virgin was found in the river in 1603. A spring of miraculous waters sprout by the sanctuary.
- The Rosary Revolution in EDSA (1986): Multitudes prayed the Rosary in front of the tanks during the People's Power Revolution. The troops withdrew without shooting, an episode known as the Rosary Revolution.
- Simbang Gabi: From 16 to 24 December, Filipinos come to Mass at dawn for nine days. Tradition inherited from Spain that honors the Virgin and prepares Christmas.
- Pilgrimage to Antipolo: Every May, millions walk to the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Antipolo. It is the most massive Marian pilgrimage in Asia.
Directory of awards
Virgin of the Rosary of La Naval
Our Lady of the Rosary of the Naval of Manila
Es la patrona de Fildinator. The image, ivory and wood size of the 16th century, arrived from Mexico in 1593. His title commemorates the battles of 1646 in which the Philippine fleet defeated the Dutch by entrusting itself to the Rosary. Pope Francis recognized her as the country's patron in 2018. Every 7 October, hundreds of thousands participate in his procession.
"Our Lady of the Rosary of the Naval, pray for us.
Our Lady of Manaoag
Our Lady of Manaoag
Imagen del siglo XVII hallada en un arbol de guayaba. «Manaoag» significa «llamar» en pangasinan. La basílica, elevada por Benedicto XVI, recibe dos millones de peregrinos al año. Durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial, los soldados japoneses respetaron el templo sin entrar.
"Our Lady of Manaoag, pray for us."
Our Lady of Caysasay
Our Lady of Caysasay
Walled in 1603 at the River Caysasay. It is a 20 cm terracotta image with indigenous features, one of the first inculturated representations of the Virgin in the Philippines. Near the sanctuary a spring of miraculous waters sprout, testimony of documented healing.
"Our Lady of Caysasay, pray for us.
Our Lady of Antipolo
Our Lady of Peace and Good Journey of Antipolo
Conocida como la Virgen de Antipolo, su imagen de madera oscura llego de México en 1626 en el galeon «El Almirante», que sobrevivio a una tormenta al sacar la imagen a cubierta. Es patrona de viajeros. La peregrinación de mayo, el «Alay Lakad», reúne a millones de fieles.
"Our Lady of Peace and Good Journey, pray for us.
Our Lady of the Pilar of Zamboanga
Our Lady of the Pilar of Zamboanga
Replica of the Virgin of the Pilar of Zaragoza, arrived in the 17th century with the Spanish missionaries. It is the only basilica dedicated to the Pilar in Asia. The holiday includes a butterfly procession through the bahia with hundreds of boats, a pilgrimage center for all Mindanao.
"Our Lady of the Pilar of Zamboanga, pray for us.
Our Lady of Guadalupe of Cebu
Our Lady of Guadalupe of Cebu
The Guadalupana devotion came from Mexico with the Augustines. Cebu was the first Spanish city in the Philippines and retains an image of the brunette Virgin of Tepeyac. The ninth of December is very busy.
"Our Lady of Guadalupe of Cebu, pray for us.
Our Lady of Penafrancia
Our Lady of Bicol Penafrancia
Patrona de la region de Bicol. Devoción traida por el agustino recoleto Fray Miguel de Robles en 1710 desde Salamanca. La fiesta del «Traslacion» en septiembre reúne a más de un millón de devotos con procesión fluvial por el rio Naga. Coronada canonicamente en 1924.
"Our Lady of Penafrance, pray for us."
Our Lady of the Rule
Our Lady of the Rule of Lapu-Lapu
Acutinian advocation, the image shows the Virgin with an Agutinian habit. Cebu fishermen 'protector. Declared National Sanctuary in 2022. The party includes a butterfly procession with adorned boats.
"Our Lady of the Rule, pray for us."
Immaculate Conception of Pasig
Immaculate Conception of Pasig
The parish was founded by agustines in 1573. It's one of the oldest in the country. The image of the Immaculate is very venerated. The cathedral was rebuilt after World War II.
"Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception of Pasig, pray for us.
Virgin of Badoc
Virgin of Badoc (The Miracle of Badoc)
18th century height venerated in northern Luzon. Tradition tells that I get to the coast after being thrown into the sea during a storm from a Spanish ship. Known for its protection during typhoons.
"Virgin of Badoc, pray for us."
Virgin of Piat
Our Lady of the Visit of Piat
Conocida como la «Virgen Morena de Cagayan», la imagen de madera oscura fue traida de México en 1604 por los dominicos. Su rostro moreno, por oxidacion natural, la hace muy querida. Reconocida por su proteccion contra tifones. Coronada en 1954.
"Our Lady of Piat, pray for us."
Virgin of Namacpacan
Our Lady of Namacpacan (Our Lady of Good Help)
«Namacpacan» significa «la que cuida» en ilocano. Patrona de La Union, la imagen llego de España en el siglo XVIII. Famosa por milagros de curacion. La festividad incluye la «procesión de las antorchas» con velas y faroles.
"Our Lady of Namaccacan, pray for us.
Virgin of Orani
Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Orani
Size of the Rosary promoted by the Dominicans. During World War II, the image was hidden by the faithful. Many soldiers who fought in Bataan were entrusted to this Virgin. New-Gothic sanctuary for regional pilgrimage.
"Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Orani, pray for us.
Virgin of Turumba
Our Lady of the Dolores of Turumba
Advocación de los Siete Dolores. «Turumba» designa la danza ritmica que los devotos realizan como ofrenda y penitencia desde el siglo XVIII. Es una de las expresiones mas singulares de la piedad popular filipina. Los fieles danzan durante horas y hasta días.
"Our Lady of the Dolores of Turumba, pray for us.
A flower for the Virgin of the Philippines
It offers a prayer to the Virgin for the Filipino people. Pray a Hail Mary for the peace of this devout nation of Mary.
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