Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario, Reina de Caracol - Rosario, Cavite's Cause of their Joy

Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario,
Reina de Caracol

In the area of Rosario, Cavite where the noise of the suburbs is all over and traffic is somewhat inevitable, there lies the parish of the town, that is the center of their lives and pilgrimages. That parish, the Parish of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary enshrines the centuries old miraculous icon of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario, Reina de Caracol.

The Virgin of the Rosary in Rosario, Cavite is noted for its colorful tradition of Caracol that draws thousands to millions of devotees from the surrounding towns of Cavite up to Metro Manila and other areas around the country.

The image

The icon  of the Lady of the Most Holy Rosary dons the typical colors of blue and red, sitting on the clouds and holding in her left arm, she carries the Infant Jesus and in her right hand, the cross of a 15 decade Rosary. The Infant Jesus is garbed in a light blue attire. In his right hand he holds a globe with a cross on top symbolizing his role as protector of the earth. In his right left hand he holds one end of the Rosary. The scene of the icon has is unusual for instead of being seated in a throne, she is seated on a cloud visiting Purgatory, bringing relief to the suffering souls who are longing to enter heaven and join Our Lord and Our Lady in full glory.

Details of the image

The icon of the Virgin is painted on canvas and framed in wood with silver adornments. The painting is set with gold accouterments. The venerated icon is enthroned at the altar of the Parish of The Most Holy Rosary, in Rosario, Cavite

On April 21, 1984, Tony Nazareno, the president of the Antique Dealers Association of the Philippines came to examine the painting of the Virgin Mary. According to him, the image is a product of a Filipino brush. The face of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary is very Filipina, a rare piece in the Philippine iconography. He believed that the style of the painting belonged to a well-known painter, Faustino Quiotang, and suggested that the icon was painted sometime between 1810 and 1820.

History

Rosario is a coastal town in the province of Cavite along the shores of Manila Bay. It was formerly a barrio or (barangay) of the town of San Francisco de Malabon (now General Trias). It was then called Salinas-Marsella for its salt evaporation industry. Marsella, on the other hand, comes from the Spanish word ‘’mar’’ (sea). It was named so because of its proximity to the sea.However, before the twilight of the Spanish era its name was changed to Rosario in honor of the "Virgen del Rosario de Caracol" which was the patroness of the place. How this  image of the Virgin came to the town is unknown and shrouded with mystery.

However, Don Catalino Abueg and Dona Rosa Ner, Rosario's most respected couple of Rosario relates the origin of the Virgin's arrival to town.

During the Spanish colonial period, one of the best means of transportation was by boat. Cargoes from the south were brought to Manila by big boats, and there were many batel (fishing boats) in Manila bay. One day, a strong typhoon visited Manila and the area that caused great destruction of life and properties . Countless fishermen as well as merchants were caught by the turbulent wind in the midst of the sea. One of these boats coming from Mindoro was loaded with merchandise. As the strong typhoon hits the sea, the crewmen of the boat, filled with terror as death approaches, tied themselves to the boat so they would not be thrown overboard. The head of the crew went inside the cabin to check whatever goods he could save. As he moved around, he noticed the framed image of the Lady of the Most Holy Rosary hanging on a post. A strong wind rocked the boat that made the frame swing to the point of almost being dropped in the water. The sight of the image gave him a little light of hope for safety. He beg the virgin to spare his life and that of his companions with the promise that they would build a chapel in her honor as soon as they landed on the shore. The Virgin must have heard his prayers for they were all saved.

Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish, Rosario, Cavite

The stormy night was followed by a serene and sunny morning. They found themselves along the shore of Mojon now called Muzon, a sitio of the barrio of Salinas-Marsella. With great joy and gratitude, they built a chapel on a ground which was said to belong to a certain Lieutenant Felix Suasa. The makeshift chapel was made of bamboo and the lumber used for the altar of the Virgin was from their very own boat. There was a great feasting for the affair. The image was entrusted by the crewmen to the people of the Mojon. The crew of the boat left leaving a legacy, which later became an undying tradition - the town fiesta in honor of the Virgin of the Most Holy Rosary. After sometime, the people felt that they should give a more beautiful and bigger home for the Virgin. Hence, from Muzon, the shrine was transferred to its present site and a strong edifice was built.The parish and the town of Rosario was later established on October 22, 1845 as promulgated by Governor-General Narciso Claveria due to the growing number of inhabitants who wanted to be near the Virgin.

Devotion

The town fiesta of Rosario or the feast of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary is celebrated twice a year, the first is in the month of May held during the second Sunday of the month. In some instances, it is moved to the third Sunday when it is close in proximity to the fiesta of Saint Isidore the Laborer. The second is on October 7 to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary.

The festivities include the ritual dance-procession called "Caracol" (also spelled "karakol", meaning "prayer through dancing"). During the eve of the fiesta, the Virgin is placed on an andas during the dance-procession, which is then carried on the shoulders by her devotees . The andas of the Virgin is heavily decorated with curtains and flowers. From the church, majority of those who participate in the Caracol procession also dances to the lively tune of "Pandanggo" or any Philippine folk music provided by the town's brass marching bands, hired to provide musical accompaniment to the procession. The float of the Virgin Mary is also swayed to the music while it is being paraded around town. Together with the dancing, the procession is a slow snail-like pace (the origin of the word "caracol", the Spanish word for snail or possibly from the word |"Caracoa", a sea vessel commonly used at that time). The image of the Virgin Mary is brought towards the shore of Manila Bay for a fluvial procession.

Once the dance-procession reaches the seashore, the image of the Virgin is then boarded on a big fishing boat. While at the sea, hundreds of smaller fishing boats go around the Marian boat as veneration to the Virgin. Music is provided by the brass band also loaded on their boats. Adding color to the fluvial parade, participating boats displays different colorful banners during the fluvial parade. From Barangay Wawa, The image is brought to Barangay Muzon where it lands. From Muzon, the Virgin is once again brought back to the church with the "Karakol sa lupa" or "Caracol de la Tierra".

The Caracol during the Intramuros Grand Marian Procession

This Caracol caught the attention of the committee on the Marian procession in Intramuros. In December 1982, the Virgin and the people of Rosario were invited to participate in the annual Grand Marian Procession in Intramuros. People applauded as the Virgin and her devotees danced to the joyful tune of the “Pandanggo”. Even the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines that time, the Most Reverend Bruno Torpigiliani, D.D. was deeply touched by the scene. Hence, he commented that this was the first time he witnessed such a deep and strong filial devotion to the Blessed Mother. In October 20, 1995, the image received a Symbolic Coronation of the image headed by the Bishop of Imus. A Confraternity was also founded years later for the purpose of the propagation of the devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary, the Queen of Caracol.

The devotion to the Santo Rosario, Reina de Caracol continues to thrive even in our modern times. People continue to flock the Parish and yearly, millions continue to join the Caracol Festivities and marvelous miracles were also reported and this once again proves that it is Our Lord and His loving Mother is our source of Joy and celebration - something that material wealth cannot be matched.