Our Lady of Piat

Marian Advocation of Piat (Luzon)

La local tradition It is a Marian image brought by the Dominicans in the 17th century and linked from the ancient to the evangelization of Cagayan; one of the versions spread that it has arrived in Manila in 1604 and was first in the convent of Santo Domingo de Intramuros before passing to Piat.

Main data

Origin and history

La local tradition It is a Marian image brought by the Dominicans in the 17th century and linked from the ancient to the evangelization of Cagayan; one of the versions spread that it has arrived in Manila in 1604 and was first in the convent of Santo Domingo de Intramuros before passing to Piat.

La documented history in the available divulgative synthesis notes that 1604 there was in Piat a small sanctuary raised by the itawis, and that 1700 The people built a wider church. In Filipino popular devotion, this image is known as the Mother Miraculous of the Cagayan Valley, a title that expresses its regional roots and confidence in its intercession.

The image and the sanctuary

The image is described as a Old icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary, of brown tone o dark complexion, venerated in Piat, in the province of Cagayan, in the north of Luzon. The material of the image or a technical iconographic description that is sufficiently secure; for caution, that data should be considered no consta.

The veneration takes place in the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Piat. The documentation consulted identifies it as a minor basilica and Marian sanctuary, although in the revised sources the date and complete legal detail of its elevation are not given in a uniform manner; therefore, it can only be stated with certainty that it is the main temple of veneration of this advocation in Piat.

Sponsorship and coronation

Our Lady of Piat is venerated as patrona de Piat y de la province of Cagayán in devotional use spread by the sources consulted. The revised sources do not contain a formally documented national patronage for the whole Philippines.

Canon coronation: there is no documented canonical coronation in the sources provided.

Party and devotion

The main party is held 2 July. The devotion is marked by the pilgrimages to the shrine of Piat, with a special influx of faithful from the Cagayan valley and other areas of Luzon, who come to ask for favors, to give thanks and to participate in the liturgical celebrations.

Among the best known features of this devotion are the character regional y popular of the advocation, the affection of the people itawis and the filial language with which many faithful refer to the Virgin as “Mother of all others” in the local tradition cited by news sources. The sources consulted do not provide reliable annual flow figures; therefore, these data no constan.

Link to the Rosary

It does not contain a specific and unique historical relationship of this advocation with a rosarian practice of its own, beyond the general Marian spirituality of the sanctuary and the Philippine Catholic piety. In this context, the Rosary It naturally accompanies devotion to Our Lady of Piat as contemplative prayer of the mysteries of Christ with Mary, especially appropriate in Marian shrines with strong popular roots.