Nuestra Señora de Salvacion of Santa Mesa, Manila - The Loving and Protecting Mother of Santa Mesa District

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Nuestra Señora de Salvacion of Santa Mesa, Manila
In a modern area of Santa Mesa, Manila, located near the banks of Pasig River and a hub of commercial centers, hospitals, schools and transit systems, an obscure Parish church is located in this place were it is gradually becoming a Marian Pilgrim site in Manila, the Parish of Nuestra Señora de Salvación of Sta. Mesa, Manila. The parish of the Virgin of Salvation of Manila for decades became a solace of the people of Santa Mesa and the Virgin continues to give her maternal care to her children in Santa Mesa, Manila.

The image

The venerable image of Nuestra Señora de Salvación de Manila is that of a de vestir Image of the Blessed Virgin Mary holding the Child Jesus in her arms. What was unique to this image is that she holds a rope on her left hand and a soul was reaching the rope from the Virgin as which gives an impression that the image portrays the Madonna and Child saving a soul from eternal damnation.

The title

Nuestra Señora de Salvacion of Santa Mesa, Manila
The title of "Nuestra Señora de Salvacion" is quite unique. For her devotees in Santa Mesa, Manila, she is fondly called as "Nuestra". For the modern mind, the title might be unusual since they might think that the it might cause some concern for it may contradict the fact that Jesus Christ is the true source of Salvation. This concern was already addressed years ago thru Jean Cardinal Villot, then Papal Secretary of State for the Vatican.

Cardinal Villot clarified this matter on his letter for the Diocese of Legazpi on conferring the Patronage of the Diocese of Legazpi to the Virgen de Salvacion of Joroan where emphasizes that the title of the Virgin as "Our Lady of Salvation" focuses and honors Mary on her special role in the plan of Salvation of Mankind by obedience to Divine Will by becoming the Mother of the Savior.

 The origins

Although there were few records regarding the actual origins of the Virgin of Salvation, it is believed that the can be traced in 1945 when the residents of the National Distribution Company, which was located in Sta. Mesa, who escaped and survived the ravages of the Second World War built a chapel dedicated to the Virgin as an act of perpetual thanksgiving for her protection to the people. It is also believed by the folks of Santa Mesa that the Virgin arrived on May 19, 1945. There is also uncertainty who donated the image to the community, yet it is said that it was donated by the homeowners association of the area for veneration of the community. The people chose to name the Virgin and dedicate the chapel under the title "Nuestra Señora de Salvación."
Nuestra Señora de Salvacion of Santa Mesa, Manila

Over the years, the simple yet strong devotion to the Virgin grew over the years and the chapel developed over the years. Through the generosity of the Jose Panganiban, General Manager of NDC and his wife Mercedes, the chapel of the Virgin underwent renovations which began in 1982 and it was completed in 1987. The Chapel was later elevated to a Parish in 1994.

 Miracles

Over the past decades, several undocumented miracles were attributed to the Virgin of Santa Mesa district yet most of these were ingrained to the consciousness of the community. One instance is that there was a person who was dying yet when they reached the facade of the church, the person regained his consciousness and was cured.

It is also interesting to note that the Virgin is also to the vestments that she wore for the former camareras (the ladies who are in charge of taking care of the image) would recall that whenever a new dress for the Virgin would not fit, it could be a sign that the offering for the Virgin was tainted with some interest and it was given without sincerity.

Nuestra Señora de Salvacion of Santa Mesa, Manila
The devotion

The devotion to Nuestra Señora de Salvación de Manila was proven to be resilient over the past few years from its humble beginnings. The feast of the Virgin is celebrated every Third Saturday of August, taking a pattern from a similar devotion in Joroan, Albay and devotees flock her humble abode on this special day. It is also interesting to note that devotees of the Virgen de Salvacion of Joroan who cannot make it to her shrine in Albay would visit the one located in Sta. Mesa, Manila to fulfill their promises to Our Lady up to this day.

When we meditate on the depiction of the Virgen de Salvacion giving a life saving rope to a soul to save him from eternal damnation, we are shown of a unique role of the Blessed Virgin Mary not only as a caring mother to us, but also a Mediatrix to her Son in her arms for the sake of our salvation. May thru this devotion help us understand how she really cared for all of us and let her help us to attain the necessary graces for our Salvation.

Nuestra Señora de Salvación of Sta. Mesa, Manila, pray for us!

References:

_______ (1998), "Nuestra Señora de Salvación Parish Fiesta Souvenir Program", Our Lady of Salvation Parish, Sta. Mesa, Manila
Vengco, Sabino (2017), "Shaping the Filipino Marian Piety" Foundation for Christ Love-Asia, Inc., Xavierville Ave., Loyola Heights, Quezon City.

Interview:

Mr. Arvin Patani - Parish of Nuestra Señora de Salvación of Sta. Mesa, Manila

 Special thanks to the Arvin Patani of the Parish of Nuestra Señora de Salvación of Sta. Mesa, Manila for the photos and official narrative of the Virgin of Salvation of Sta. Mesa, Manila. +AM+DG+

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