Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de San Isidro - The Journey of Nueva Ecija's Lady in Solitude

-
Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de San Isidro
In the quiet yet histotic town of San Isidro in the province of Nueva Ecija, where it known locally for its participation in the Philippine Revolution of 1869, the Marian devotion of the town is evident because of the miracles wrought by its patroness, Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de San Isidro - the Patroness of the town. The Virgin's story is that of a wonder of its own from her mysterious arrival, her loss for decades, her recovery and rising popularity in the town.

 The image

The image of the miraculous patroness of the town of San Isidro is that of a 19th century work, depicting the grieving Blessed Virgin Mary in her solitude after the Crucifixion and death of her Son Jesus. The images was painted on wood, enclosed in an ornate solid-silver frame. It is  Mary e from the instruments of torture, the painting is embellished by gold and silver appliques – the Holy Spirit, angels, virgin’s golden rostrillo, her cloak with its silver lining and metal stars, silver boat-like pillow, a letter “V” and a galleon.

Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de San Isidro
Photo by Mr. Glenn Inocenc
The elaborate silver frame done in baroque, depict vines, leaves and flowers. Within this frame is a faded, crimson velvet background with silver miniatures of an empty cross, two ladders, nails and hammer. Also shown are an angel holding a chalice, Veronica’s veil with 3 faces of Christ, a reed, a man in priestly robes, a spear, a pitcher (Pilate), a rooster and key (St. Peter), a pillar (scourging), a sponge on a pole, and eyes (probably an ex-voto given in thanksgiving for restored sight.)

The early history

The origins of the icon of the virgin of Solitude is unknown due to the lack of records available as of this writing. However , the icon has occupied a niche above a side altar of the town church since time immemorial as recalled by its locals . The icon was feasted every May 15 and she was honored in a fluvial procession on the Rio Grande de Pampanga. This tradition was held from the mid-19th century till the 1920s.

San Isidro Parish, San Isidro, Nueva Ecija
The disappearance

In 1982, the image mysteriously vanished. It was thought to have been stolen but no police records exists to support this. Sometime after its disappearance, the image found its way to an antique dealer in Manila and was purchased by a private individual. Upon hearing rumors of a missing icon venerated in Central Luzon, the buyer confronted the antique shop owner who insisted that it was taken to the shop legitimately. The owner kept the icon but informed some of his friends including Mr. Jaime Laya, a well known antique collector, of its story.

In October 2002, Mr. Laya had a business meeting with Arch. Cristina Turalba who mentioned a project in San Isidro. Remembering the icon, he asked her if she knew anything about the town’s patron. Arch. Turalba also researched on the patron and upon further inquiries, it was confirmed by Mayor Sonia R. Lorenzo that their “patrona” has been missing.

The identification and return

Further inquiries was gathered and one of the most important testimony comes from an old sacristan of the church by the name of Ruperto Flores provided the icon’s description. Mang Ruping's detailed description was similar to that of Mr. Laya's find that upon careful inspection, the description matches to the buyer's icon. On confirming the image's origin, the owner immediately offered its unconditional return. He prefers to remain anonymous, saying only that he hopes the image will receive better security and care, and that he hopes traffic in ecclesiastical objects will cease.

On November 27, 2002, the image was brought to the Holy Family Church at Roxas District, Quezon City, where the son of San Isidro's devoted sacristan Mang Ruping; retired Monsignor Jose E. Flores served many years as parish priest. And on December 5, 2002, the people fetched the image and bring it back in triumph to its long empty place of honor in the church and in the hearts of the people of San Isidro. After almost 20 years, Nuestra Señora de la Soledad is again venerated in San Isidro Labrador Church

The devotion

 Upon the return of the Virgin to her altar in San Isidro in Nueva Ecija, the devotion to the Virgin rekindled with much fervor. The devotees once again celebrated her feast day with much joy after a long period of absence. As for the security of the venerated icon, numerous security measures were utilized so that she will be protected and to avoid her loss once again. As of this writing, pilgrims from all over Nueva Ecija and other parts of the country flock the parish to venerate the Virgin and ask for her help in times of their need and despair.

References:

Laya, Jaime (2002), "Home is our Lady", Retreived on September 14, 2017 from http://www.philstar.com/sunday-life/186158/home-our-lady.
Laya, Jaime (2002), "Nuestra Senora de la Soledad" [leaflet], Parish of San Isidro Labrador, San Isidro, Nueva Ecija.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Nuestra Señora de la Regla: Cebu's Gracious Lady

-
Image
Nuestra Señora de la Regla de Cebu Aside to the famed Santo Niño de Cebu, there is another devotion that flourished in the island that pilgrims visit through the centuries succor in times of great need - the felicitous Nuestra Señora De la Regla. The miraculous image is venerated widely by the Cebuanos who believe that the prosperity they enjoy is a blessing achieved through the strength of her maternal intercession. The image is currently venerated at The National Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Regla in Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan Island, Cebu. Features of the image The image of the Virgin is patterned to the original located in Chipiona, Spain. The Our Lady of the Rule image carved from the trunk of dark Philippine hardwood, was installed at the her own altar of Our Lady of the Rule Church in Lapu-Lapu City. The Brown Madonna holds the Infant Jesus in a form of offering and showing - as if she is presenting the Child Jesus to the people and telling them to worship his Son -
Read more

Nuestra Señora da la Salud: The Powerful Health of the Sick

-
Image
Nuestra Señora da la Salud Within the confines of modern Quezon City, there is a precious treasure that was once one of great importance of Old Manila's Glorious Past. This principal treasure is the dark image of the Blessed Virgin, under the title of"Nuestra Señora de la Salud" (Our Lady of Health) brought by the Recollect missionaries to the Philippines in 1634. In the olden days, the Virgen de la Salud is one of the most celebrated Marian images in the country with numerous miracles were attributed to this Dark Virgin of Old San Nicolas Church. So numerous and well known that even high government officials of the time are in attendance and one of most awaited in the summer and it somehow rivals that of the Virgin of the Santo Rosario of Old Intramuros (now will be venerated in her new Shrine in Quezon Avenue, Quezon City.) However, after the ravages of World War 2, though the image was safe and kept by her custodians, the devotion her seemed to be forgotten by
Read more

The Regal and Miraculous Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario - La Naval de Bacolor of Bacolor, Pampanga

-
Image
Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario - La Naval de Bacolor (Church image) Bacolor, Pampanga, one of the most historic town one of the most populated in the province that was once the provincial capital of the province bearing the name "Villa de Bacolor" and dubbed as "Atenas de Pampanga" due to its significant role in the history, culture, economy and faith in Pampanga. Bacolor is also famous for its centuries old sunken San Guillermo Church where half of edifice was submerged by lahar during the Pinatubo eruption in the early 1990's and decades later as the church from the iconic ABS-CBN teleserye "May Bukas Pa". Bacolor is also known as one of the main Marian pilgrimage sites in the province and also of Central Luzon because it was in the famed Bacolor Church were the miraculous image of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario - La Naval de Bacolor is enshrined. The Virgin of the Rosary of Bacolor became a silent witness of the colorful yet tra
Read more

Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Porta Vaga - the Queen of Cavite

-
Image
Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Porta Vaga In the province of Cavite, located in Southern Luzon area, there lies a church in Cavite City, then known as Cavite Puerto where it has been, and still is, the center of pilgrimage in the whole province and outside, including Metro Manila and other provinces for the parish San Roque in Cavite City is the home of the famous Patroness of the Cavite - Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Porta Vaga, the undisputed Queen of Cavite. For Caviteños, the Soledad will always be part of their lives for tremendous miracles were attributed through her intercession and it is no wonder that in almost every home in Cavite, altars and doorsteps are not complete without an image of the Soledad either in print, sculpture, reliefs and other media. The icon has received several titles in its history, including "Queen of Cavite" and "Exalted Patroness and the Celestial Guardian and Protectress of the Province of Cavite and its Port" (Spanish
Read more

Nuestra Señora de Barangay - The Mother and Protectress of the Barangay

-
Image
Nuestra Señora de Barangay Of all Marian images venerated in the country, there is a simple yet beautiful image of Our Lady that is very unique in our consciousness, the very Filipina image of the Virgin of the Barangay. The image of the "Virgen sang Barangay" gained much attention since its first public appearance in the 1950's as the Patroness of the Barangay sang Birhen Organization and began touring the nation for some years and numerous replicas of this image, whether it is a painting or a three-dimensional statue, this particular Venerada clearly shows how the Blessed Virgin became became our own Mother of the Filipino Nation and became a unifying force for centuries and still enjoys much love and veneration as time passed by.  The image The icon of the Virgin of the Baranggay depicts the Virgin presenting her Son to the barangay. The Virgin wears the traditional balintawak and wearing a red and yellow tapis on her waist while the Child is covered with
Read more