Nuestra Señora de la Peregrina - The Unsung Queen of Sampaloc

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Nuestra Señora de la Peregrina
For those who visit the V.O.T Church (Venerable Orden Terziera of the Franciscan Order) in Bustillos, Sampaloc, Manila that is dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua would came across to this unique image Mary, that of the Immaculate Conception under the aspect of a pilgrim. This beautiful image is the miraculous image of Nuestra Señora de la Peregrina that was once one of the focal point of pilgrimages for centuries. Her image is lovingly treasured and venerated at St. Anthony Shrine – V.O.T. Church in Bustillos, Sampaloc, Manila.

The image

The venerable image of the La Peregrina recalls the her visitation to St. Elizabeth to help her for the upcoming birth to St. John the Baptist that entails a long and tedious journey to the hill country of Judea. The La Peregrina  The unique feature of this Marian advocation is that the Virgin’s head is crowned with doce estrellas, wearing a pilgrim's garb, standing in a globe and crushes beneath her heels the serpent. The Virgiin also wears a straw hat and holds a staff with a gourd to signify her role as a guide for pilgrims.

Details of the face of the image
History

The carver of the image is unknown yet the image was brought by Reverend Father Jose de Santaella from Madrid. He left Cadiz on August 16, 1731 aboard the ship San Antonio on October 9 of the same year. During the voyage and by the request of the captain of the ship, a mission for all passengers is organized and the image was brought out and several acts of veneration was organized. Thanks to the protection dispensed by the Virgin , passengers depart safely from a shipwreck.

And in 1794, The Chapel of ther Franciscan Tertiaries was build next to the Parish of Our Lady of Loreto. This was placed under the patronage of Nuestra Señora de la Peregrina and her image was installed in its main altar. This chapel became the scene of religious ceremonies in her honor. The feature of the devotion to Our Lady of Pilgrims was the annual procession which thousands attended. It is noteworthy to mention that Teodora Alonzo, the mother of Philippine's National Hero Jose Rizal was also a fervent devotee of the La Peregrina and her devotees somehow equates or rivals that of the Virgin of Antipolo of the Jesuits.In 1783, the Franciscan Friars of the Province of San Gregorio Magno transferred the center of the Third Order of St. Francis of Assisi to Sampaloc.

The procession of the Virgen de la Peregrina before the War
On July 1880, the Chapel of the Venerable Orden Tercera or Venerable Order of Tertiary was greatly damaged by an earthquake. Rev. Fr. Pedro Flores, OFM started the initial repairs on the chapel. But it was under Rev. Fr. Ramon Cervices, OFM, that a totally new edifice was finished in 1888.

World War II and her oblivion

However, this sanctuary to the Blessed Virgin Mary was totally destroyed in the catastrophe of World War II. In the early days of February 1945 – during the Liberation of Manila, V.O.T chapel was gutted by fire. But thanks to the efforts of Rev. Fr. Jose Pamintuan – Parish Priest of Our Lady of Loreto, the image of the Peregrina was saved. For a time it occupied a temporary altar at the Priest’s Residence, sharing it with the miraculous image of Our Lady of Loreto.
An old barra alta of the La Peregrina used in her processions

After the war, Rev. Fr. Mariano Montero, OFM transferred the image and devotion of St. Anthony of Padua from its temporary refuge at the Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados Parish, Santa Ana, Manila to the ruins of V.O.T. Chapel in Sampaloc and once the Shrine was once again built, it was rededicated to St. Antony of Padua   in 1947 by His Eminence Rufino Santos, D.D., Archbishop of Manila. From then on devotion to St. Anthony of Padua flourished in this new Shrine.

However, instead of allowing the ancient image to fade into oblivion, Fr. Montero gave the Peregrina a majestic throne high above the niche of St. Anthony in the main altar. She occupied this exulted position until the retablo was demolished in 1973 in accordance with the precepts of Vatican II. Rev. Fr. Francisco Reyes, OFM had the image moved to the right side niche near the ambo. In 1980, Rev. Fr.. Batazar Obico, OFM had the image of the Peregrina brought down and the image of Our Lady of Lourdes installed. It was the start of Our Lady of the Pilgrims’ painful exile.

First she was placed in the landing of the stairs of the belfry. Then in the solitary confines of the laundry room. But it was during these deplorable years that Bro. Fernando “Popong” Martinez and Bro. Dennis de Jesus, strove to keep the devotion to her alive. Every June 13 – Feast of St. Anthony, they would contribute their humble resources to bring her image on procession. But even this was discontinued.

The Return

During the term of Fr. Wilfredo Benito, OFM as rector of the Shrine (2001-2004), interest in the Nuestra Señora de la Peregrina resurfaced again. With the efforts of her loyal devotees, they were able to convince the friars to move the ancient image within the friary and research was made at University of Santo Tomas archives that prompted the Saint Anthony OFM Community to consider having the image returned inside the shrine.

Nuestra Señora de la Peregrina on the day of
her return
The most coveted day, December 8, 2003 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. After 23 years of senseless exile, the Virgen de la Peregrina was re-enthroned in the right side niche. In a simple yet meaningful ceremony, the image was brought to the throne amidst the singing of Salve Regina after which, it was incensed.

In his homily during the Holy Mass, Fr. Benito introduced her to the faithful. He eloquently narrated the history of her devotion and encouraged all to have recourse to her.

The Traditional Feast of the Nuestra Señora de la Peregrina is on the Third Sunday of Advent. She is the patroness of the pilgrims, travelers, expectant mothers and childless couples, midwives, sick and health workers.Currently efforts are being paved to resurrect the devotion in Honor of Nuestra Señora de la Peregrina. We therefore enjoin all Marian Devotees to pray for the revival of her devotion and she may once again be exulted as she was in the previous centuries.

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