In Manaoag, Marian image marks crowning centennial
The Catholic faithful in Pangasinan marked the centennial on Wednesday of the canonical coronation of the image of Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Manaoag in Manaoag town.
The image, which is widely regarded as miraculous, is enshrined at the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag, a major destination for pilgrims.
President Marcos, along with first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, joined Archbishop Charles John Brown, the papal nuncio to the Philippines; Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula; and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas in gracing the historic occasion.
“On this sacred occasion, we pray for the grace to embrace Her virtues, to find Her guidance as a beacon of light in moments of trial, and to strengthen our devotion to Her by nurturing profound hope as we journey together in faith,” Mr. Marcos said in his prayer.
Reenactment
“May this celebration deepen our bond as a people whom You have called in this blessed place of Manaoag and renew our commitment to serve You and our neighbors with love and compassion,” he added.
During the celebration, the Marcos couple also witnessed the reenactment of the coronation of the image, led by Brown and assisted by Villegas.
The aureole (ring of light representing divinity in art) was placed behind the virgin’s head by the basilica’s rector and prior, Rev. Fr. Felix Legaspi. He was assisted by Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcia, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.
The image of the Child Jesus was crowned by Advincula.
Before the reenactment of the coronation, the 1926 Petition for Canonical Coronation and the 1926 Rescript of Pope Pius XI was read in Latin and English.
The pontifical coronation of the image was led on April 21, 1926, by Most Rev. Guillermo Piani, then the apostolic nuncio of Pope Pius XI to the Philippines.
Standing out
It was the third Marian image to receive a canonical coronation in the country, following the Our Lady of La Naval de Manila in 1907 and the Our Lady of Peñafrancia de Naga in 1924.
In his homily, Advincula said the country now has a total of 64 Marian images granted such a special honor by the Pope.
“But among all the Marian devotees in the country, devotion to Our Lady of Manaoag stands out because of its unique origin and profound spirituality. The name Manaoag comes from the Pangasinan word ‘mantawag,’ which means to call,” he said.
Advincula narrated the local tradition that said a farmer heard a mysterious voice on the very hilltop where the church is located.
“Drawn by that call, he saw the Virgin Mary holding the child Jesus and a rosary, who asked that a church be built on this very spot. From that moment on, this hill was no longer an ordinary spot. It became a sanctuary, a sacred space where heaven meets earth through the maternal mediation of Mary,” he said.
