La Inmaculada Concepcion de Malolos - The Mother of the Diocese of Malolos

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La Inmaculada Concepcion de Malolos
In the historic City of Malolos, the Historic Capital of the Province of Bulacan, where the historic Barasoain Church which is an important site of Philippine history, is located, is the chosen diocesan see for the province of Bulacan. The Malolos Cathedral, or the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception houses the miraculous venerated image of La Inmacualda Concepcion of Malolos, the Patroness of the Diocese of Malolos. The miraculous image of La Inmaculada Concepcion of Malolos became a silent witness to the modern history of Malolos and became a symbol of faith to the people of Malolos and the aforementioned Diocese.

 The Visage of the Lady

The beautiful is image of La Inmaculada Concpecion of Malolos is that of the typical image of La Inmaculada Concepcion based from the famed painting of Bartolome Esteban de Murillo. In his iconic work, he represented the Virgin in a heavenly realm, moments after her creation, the spirit of Mary (in the form of a young woman) looks up in awe at God while her hands are near her chest. The moon is under her feet and a halo of twelve stars surround her head, possibly a reference to "a woman clothed with the sun" from Revelation 12:1–2. Additional imagery may include clouds, a golden light, and cherubs. It also notable that the Virgin wears pink and blue robes and wears no veil.

The Origin of the image 

La Inmaculada Concepcion de Malolos
According to reliable sources and records, the statue of the Immaculate Concepcion was made before the Second World War. The work is attributed to Donding Ople, a gifted artist who was orphaned at a very tender age. Due to the miracles attributed in devotion to the Immaculate Conception, the Malolos curate decided to produce some replicas. An elite replica of the said statue was first displayed at the right of the Sanctuary, at the middle, and beside the statues of Saint Joachim at Saint Peter patriarch.

The devotion

The devotion to Immaculate Conception seems to be very effective and so to enrich the faith of the Maloleños, a set of stairs was attached to the altar so the people may go and touch the statue. This action was made under the time of then rector, Msgr. Jojo Galvez with Fathers Ron Cristobal and Francis Protacio S. Cortez III as members. Also around this time, the statue was officially named "Virgen Inmaculada Concepcion de Malolos" (Our Virgin of Immaculate Conception of Malolos). The Feast of the Inmaculada is observed every December 8.

In their tenure, a replica of the image was placed in front of the Adoration Chapel's Chapel of the Saints. The statue is placed in the middle of the highest elevation and is connected down with a set of stairs. Pilgrims and devotees would write down their petitions and answered favors attributed to Virgin in this special altar for pilgrims.

Malolos Cathedral - Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
The Throne of the Immaculate Queen

The Cathedral of Malolos was first established as the Parish of Malolos on June 11, 1580 by Fray Matheo de Mendoza OSA and was consecrated in 1817. The Church became a silent witness to the turbulent yet glorious history of Bulacan for centuries. The Malolos Church became a cathedral with the creation of the Diocese of Malolos and the installation of its first diocesan bishop, Most Reverend Manuel del Rosario D.D., in March 1962. During the tenure of Bishop Rolando Tria-Tirona O.C.D., DD, Malolos Cathedral was elevated into the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on December 4, 1999.

The Canonical Coronation of La Inmaculada Concepcion de Malolos
Church Recognition

Due to popularity of miraculous attributes, and in celebration for the Golden Jubilee of the Establishment of the Diocese of Malolos, a petition was made for the Canonical Coronation of the image at the main altar of Malolos Cathedral. In May 2009, the Vatican, through the Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, granted the petition for the canonical coronation through a papal bull. The Solemn Canonical Coronation rites took in March 10, 2012, attended by the thousands of Devotees and Pilgrims from Bulacan and other parts of the country.

The devotion to the La Inmaculada of Malolos continues to be strong and it developed over the years. Through this devotion to the Immaculate Conception, we meditate on this important part of Mary's life for she was full of grace from the first moment of her existence when she was immaculately conceived. St. Louie Marie de Montfort opines that "God the Father made a gathering of all the waters and called it the sea; he made a gathering of all graces and called it Mary." Jesus came to us through Mary, and Mary, full of grace, can help us on our way to Jesus.

La Inmaculada Concepcion de Malolos, pray for us!

References:

____ (2014) "History - Malolos Cathedral: The Church and its People", Diocese of Malolos, Malolos, Bulacan.
Perez, Fr. Elvino (1901). "Catalogo Bio-bibliografico Religiosos Agustinos de la Provincia de Santisimo Nombre de Jesus de las Isla Filipinas des de su Fundacion Hasta Nuestros Diaz". Establicimente Tipografico, Colegio de Santo Tomas, Manila.

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