Nuestra Señora delos Desamparados de Marikina

In the fast rising city of Marikina, located near the banks of Marikina River, is known for its famous shoe industry for years. Marikeños are also known for being disciplined, well mannered and calm in midst of adversities. These traits of Marikeños might be traced to their beloved Patroness that protected them for centuries - the beautiful Nuestra Señora delos Desamparados de Marikina or fondly called as "Mama Ola" to her devotees in Marikina and other parts in the country.

Marikina's Lady of the Abandoned have captivated the hearts of her devotees for years and devotees flock her shrine constantly and she in turn gives them unconditional love by granting them graces necessary for their temporal and spiritual needs.

The image

The Venerable image of Nuestra Señora delos Desamparados de Marikina follows the typical Madonna and Child model. The Virgin is holding a sheaf of lilies while holding the Child Jesus on the other. The Child Jesus on the other hand is holding a small cross on his hand while holding a dove in the opposite, facing the Virgin. The Madonna and Child both wears a set of crowns and doce estrellas aureola that are given by devotees as ex votos.

The portrayal of the Virgin of the Abandoned of Marikina was different from its parent image in Valencia, Spain and Santa Ana, Manila from its skin color, posture among others. In the Valencian iconography, the Virgin appears to be hunchback with brownish complezion while the Marikina Virgin was fair skinned, stands straight and the two Niños Inocentes, which is found in the Valencian iconography, was noticeably absent which gives an impression that its the devotees who are taking the place of the Niños Inocentes who are clinging to the Mother and Child.

The Origin and Miracles

There were scant records about the actual origin of the image yet it is believed that the present image that was carved sometime in 1902 to replace the older image which was destroyed, along with important documents regarding the devotion, during the Philippine-American War in 1898. Despite being the patron of the forsaken, her love and affection goes beyond as what her sobriquet suggests. She is also the protector of the poor, condemned, and the people of Marikina that she captured the hearts of many for years.

One of the most notable miracles of Mama Ola, and one of the most documented, was during the Second World War. The Japanese forces dropped bombs on the her shrine as retaliation. The first bomb leveled the church to rubble, but miraculously, the image survived the blast. Meanwhile, the second bomb did not explode, saving the town from more damage.

Another story is about Sgt. Patricio Pascual, a Guerilla, along with his soldiers who survived Japanese checkpoint near the battlefield of Pangil, Laguna after he prayed to the Our Lady of the Abandoned for their safe exit. According to his son, Demetrio Pascual, who recounted the story, although Sgt. Pascual and his men escaped through a vast plain, the Japanese forces did not see them as they were guided by the Lady.

In 1980, two children of a Chinese parishioner, Perlita Lu, were kidnapped. She alerted the police and prayed unceasingly to the Lady for help. After two days, the Lus safely recovered their children and with no ransom paid and in thanksgiving, the family were converted to the Catholic faith.

The Virgin of Marikina is also known for numerous miraculous cures from different kinds of diseases. In October 1990 a certain Irineo Iglesias Jr., who had lung cancer, was declared to have had only six months left to live. He refused to undergo cobalt therapy and spent his time praying to God through the Blessed Mother as the Virgin of the Abandoned. He was completely healed and became an active server in the parish.

The Shrine

Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Abandoned of Marikina

The Church of Our Lady of the Abadoned of Marikina was built by Augustinians in 1700 and it is still standing today as one of Marikina’s old churches despite being destroyed a couple times by two earthquakes in 1816 and 1830 and by fire in 1861. On October 23, 1791 the church was consecrated by the Archdiocese of Manila for the Virgin's said title so that it could not be used for any secular purpose.

The church suffered major damages during the tumultuous years of the Philippine–American War in the early 1900s and the carillion was totally destroyed during the Second World War. By 1957, the church was restored and refurbished by Father Silvestre dela Cruz of Archdiocese of Manila with the help from various religious and civic organisations. In August 5, 2007, the Parish was declared as the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Abandoned of Marikina by Bishop Gabriel V. Reyes, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Antipolo.

The Canonical Coronation

The Canonical Coronation of Nuestra Señora
delos Desamparados de Marikina

With numerous miracles that are attributed to the Patroness of Marikina, Bishop Crisostomo Yalung, Bishop of the Diocese of Antipolo, was first honored an Episcopal Coronation on May 12, 2002. Years later, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI granted the Canonical Coronation of the Lady of the Abandoned of Marikina, just days after his election to the Papacy.

The Canonical Coronation ceremony took place in October 23, 2005 with Archbishop of Manila Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales officiating the ceremony with other Church dignitaries, prominent government officials, parishioners and pilgrims from all over the country in attendance.

Nuestra Señora delos Desamparados de Marikina
wearing her Canonical Crown and Regalia

The Devotion

The devotion to Nuestra Señora delos Desamparados de Marikina continues to be strong over the years with devotees flocking her shrine everyday. The Feast day of the Lady is celebrated every Second Sunday of May, Mother's Day and she have a special devotional day every fourth Saturday of the month with novenas and processions. The devotees never cease to ask for her intercession and she in turn never gave a deaf ear as she is the mother of forsaken in the world, forsaken by their social strata, the pressure of life and other adversities that come to their lives.

When we say openly say that Mary is our Mother, these are not just empty words. They mean rather that we recognize Mary for who she is and also for her role in the plan of God. That Mary was the mother of Jesus the God-Man is almost universally accepted among all Christians and probably many non-Christians as well. Therefore, in this small space, let us focus instead on her role in the life of the Church today. We will then be better able to explain why we love, revere, and honor her and also why we are thus lead to seek her intercession and protection.

Nuestra Señora delos Desamparados de Marikina, Ina ng mga Walang Mag-ampon, Ipanalangin mo kami!

References:

Delos Reyes, Michael P. (2015) Salve Regina: On Crowning image of the Virgin Mary, Diliman, Quezon City, Claret Communications Foundation Inc.
Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Abandoned, (2015) Pagsisiyam sa Mahabaging Ina ng mga Walang Mag-ampon, Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Abandoned, Marikina City.Pabelonia, Mary Rose M (2008). Mother of Refuge. Retrieved from http://varsitarian.net/news/20081117/mother_of_refuge, May 5, 2017.
Teves, Diane Antonette C. (2007) Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish, Retrieved from http://marikinaplace.weebly.com/our-lady-of-the-abandoned-parish.html.