Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario de Orani - The Queen of Bataan Peninsula
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| Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario de Orani |
What makes Orani stood out because for centuries, it is known as one of the major pilgrim sites in Central Luzon where it was here that the miraculous image of Nuestra Senora del Santisimo Rosario of Orani, better known as "La Virgen Milagrosa" of Orani.
In the course of centuries, the Virgin of the Rosary of Orani transformed the once obscure area and it inhabitants since her arrival and she chose this location to shower great miracles to her beloved children.
In the course of centuries, the Virgin of the Rosary of Orani transformed the once obscure area and it inhabitants since her arrival and she chose this location to shower great miracles to her beloved children.
The image
The image of the Virgen Milagrosa is a traditional Baroque rendition of the Mother and Child, in particular, that of our Lady of the Rosary with a measurement of one "estadio" or 1.68 m. The Virgin carries the Child Jesus with her left arm and, instead of the usual Rosary in the right arm, she holds a cane as well as a scepter, while a rosary hangs around her neck. The Christ Child holds a globe in His left hand while extending His right arm in a blessing.
The statue is made out of wood, fully sculpted in the round, including the clothes. In the actual statue, she was garbed in blue mantle that extends from her back and is tucked in her waist, and wears a white robe that was originally red but was repainted at a later date. A white veil covers her head in the manner of Jewish women at the time of Jesus.
Over the past centuries, though she was carved as a de tallado image, she is dressed with real vestments donated by her devotees, following a tradition of vesting images of saints in Spain and the New World that continues to this day. For this this venerable image, one of the unique features of the vestments that the Virgin sports are those made with one of a kind "Burdang Orani" were the embroidered designs were patched with stuffing to the Virgin's dress to give an illusion that it was made from expensive threads and gives that 3 dimensional look in the vesments of the Virgin of the Rosary.
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| The Virgin wearing her signature "Burdang Orani" |
Over the past centuries, though she was carved as a de tallado image, she is dressed with real vestments donated by her devotees, following a tradition of vesting images of saints in Spain and the New World that continues to this day. For this this venerable image, one of the unique features of the vestments that the Virgin sports are those made with one of a kind "Burdang Orani" were the embroidered designs were patched with stuffing to the Virgin's dress to give an illusion that it was made from expensive threads and gives that 3 dimensional look in the vesments of the Virgin of the Rosary.
Considering its large size, the image could be considered rare for that time. The size could also indicate that the image was meant to be enshrined at a church altar, hence its dimensions.
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| La Virgen Milagrosa de Orani |
The origins
The Dominican friars brought with them the miraculous image of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario, a custom followed by the Dominican Order in all of their new missions in keeping with their calling to promote the devotion to the Holy Rosary.
As to the origin of the image itself, there are some theories which claim that the statue originated from Spain (on board the galleons that transported soldiers and the friars from Spain to the New World). Nevertheless, considering the length and difficulty of the voyage from the Mother Country to the Philippines, as well as the precious space on board the galleons, bringing an image so large would simply have been impractical. Another theory states that it came from Mexico, just like the image of La Naval de Manila, whose presence during the Dominicans missionaries' first voyage to the Philippines in 1587 was recorded by the friars. The fact that the Orani image was not mentioned at all is highly indicative that it was not on the same journey. Claims that it came on a later journey, however, would clash with accounts by the Dominicans that it was brought to Bataan in 1587. Still, others claim that it was made in the Philippines, sometime between July 1587 and June 1588, just in time for the formal establishment of the Parish of Abucay.
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| Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Orani, Bataan |
An analysis of the technique and rendition of the image's features may indicate a Philippine provenance. Elements such as the suksok (a carved and stylistic rendition of the mantle, tucked into the waist at the back) confirms this theory, aside from the features on the Virgin's face. Furthermore, at that time, there were already many able artisans (mostly Chinese) in Manila and its environs who could carve religious images after being taught by the religious orders that arrived first in the Philippines. The abundance of talented sculptors was noted by the Dominican Bishop of Manila (the first in the country), Domingo de Salazar, when he wrote King Philip II of Spain in 1590. Most of these artisans were Sangleys (Chinese) living in the Parián, an enclave of Manila also administered by the Dominicans.
The Spanish Dominican friars arrived in the province of Bataan in 1587. Orani prospered as a town and its population subsequently increased. Alongside this development, the devotion to the Virgin of the Rosary grew so fast that at that time, she was already being called "La Virgen Milagrosa" or the Miraculous Virgin, due to her numerous miracles which drew thousands of pilgrims from nearby provinces such as Bulacan, Pampanga and Zamabales. This exponential growth eventually led to the establishment of Orani as an independent parish on April 21, 1714.
Miracles
Since the arrival of the Virgin in Bataan Peninsula, numerous miracles were already recorded in the annals of the Dominican Order and later the Shrine and the volumes continues to increase as more miracles were being reported up to this day. It was due to these reported miracles over the centuries that she would be later called by the locals and her devotees as “La Virgen Milagrosa”.
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| La Virgen Milagrosa de Orani |
According to oral tradition, shortly after Samal was established as a Parish on April 20, 1644, the statue disappeared from its altar and was later found under a camachile tree near a creek, some 5 kilometers north of Samal. The people of Samal tried to return the image to their church but the same phenomenon occurred three times: the image returned to the same camachile tree where it had been found. The people interpreted this strange occurrence as a sign of God's will that the image should remain in Orani, so a small "visita" was built on that very spot.
In the Battles of La Naval de Manila from 1646 to 1647 against the Protestant Netherlands (that vied with Catholic Spain for colonial supremacy in the Orient), the Dutch invaders took Corregidor and plundered the coast of Bataan but Kapamgpangan and Orani natives under the protection of the Virgin of Orani defeated the Dutch forces who reached their shores. The Dutch marauders who succeeded in plundering Abucay, were also struck by a plague, and were forced to return to Batavia (modern-day Indonesia).
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| Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario de Orani |
One account speaks of the mysterious retreat of aggressive aetas who had sought to destroy the town, which was then a village of Samal. Pertinent investigations later showed that a heavenly Matron with a “stern countenance” appeared to the assaulting tribesmen and drove them off. The consensus was that this lady was the Virgin.
There is also the story of a locust plague in 1718 that, for some strange reason, spared only the province of Bataan. Despite the parish priest’s plea for the people to take measures against the plague, the only thing that the townspeople did was to pray at the Virgin’s shrine and their prayers were not in vain. A strong wind blew away the swarm of insects into the sea.
Also famous is the case of a judge from Manila, D. Gregorio de la Villa, who, being gravely ill, sought the Virgin’s help to cure the malady that left him almost totally paralyzed. Even before finishing the novena to the Virgin - he was already up and about and in the pink of health. Just as renowned is the case of a young boy from Bagbag (present-day Novaliches) who died. During his wake, his bereaved mother pleaded to the Virgen Milagrosa del Rosario and sought her maternal compassion. To the surprise of those present, the dead boy stood up and walked to his mother. In gratitude, both mother and child made a pilgrimage to Orani where they relayed what had happened to them to the Parish Priest who confirmed the authenticity of the miracle.
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| Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario de Orani |
This piety and generosity was proven during the great fire of March 16, 1938, which destroyed three fourths of Orani. During the fire, the image was partially damaged but was not totally burned. It was later repaired in the and the church, despite the hardships the people of Orani endured, was rebuilt in a short time thanks to the people's devotion to their patroness.
During World War II, a Korean solider, who was a slave of a Japanese officer, arrogantly aimed his gun at the statue, but scampered away in fright after the magazine of his gun melted and bent right before his very eyes.
When most of Luzon's seawaters were hit by the Red Tide in the 1990s, Orani's fishermen prayed to the Virgen Milagrosa for help, and Orani's fishing waters were mysteriously spared. To the surprise of the image's caretakers, the hemline of the Virgen's dress was found wet and muddied as though she had gone out to the coast to banish away the red tide.
After the Mt. Pinatubo eruption, citizens of Porac, Pampanga came to Orani during the town fiesta to give thanks, claiming that the Sto. Rosario of Orani had appeared to them in their dreams telling them to flee to higher grounds to escape the onslaught of lahar. At about the time the lahar had flowed, the camarera of the image found that the Virgen's dress was wet and soiled with lahar as if the Virgin had travelled to Pampanga to come to the aid of her devotees.
Church Recognition
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| The Solemn Canonical Coronation of La Virgen Milagrosa de Orani |
Decades later, the Church was declared as a "Dambana ng Paglalakbay" (Pilgrim Shrine) on August 22, 2004 by then Bishop of Balanga ang now Archbishop of Lingayen John Doe. On September 25, 2012, the church of Orani also became an Affiliate Church of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, with all the rights and privileges conveyed by the Roman Pontiff on the latter.
In 2019, Pope Francis, through the decree issued by the Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, granted the elevation of the shrine of the Virgin of the Rosaru of Orani as "Minor Basilica", the first in Bataan Peninsula. The elevation rites took place on December 12, 2019.
In 2019, Pope Francis, through the decree issued by the Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, granted the elevation of the shrine of the Virgin of the Rosaru of Orani as "Minor Basilica", the first in Bataan Peninsula. The elevation rites took place on December 12, 2019.
The devotion
The feast of the Virgen Milagrosa de Orani is celebrated by her numerous devotees from all parts of Luzon every second Sunday of October. The town fiesta of Orani is considered by many as the most lively and joyous in Bataan, and even the whole of Central Luzon, due to the huge number of pilgrims who travel starting on the first day of the novena till the feast day itself. Throughout the town, marching bands can seen and heard, while stalls selling different products - from food to toys and clothing - line the plaza, the church area as well as main thoroughfares.
On the feast day itself, Masses are celebrated every hour from and all of these Masses are always filled with devotees and pilgrims. The Second Saturday of every month has been declared as the official pilgrimage day to Shrine. Devotees who fulfill the conditions of confession, communion and prayer for the Pope's intentions may gain a Plenary Indulgence on August 5, on the major feast days of the Virgin Mary or on a day of their choice once a year by the virtue of Spiritual bond of affinity with the Basilica of Sancta Maria Maggiore in Rome.
The devotion to the La Virgen Milagrosa de Orani transformed the town, it's inhabitants and the people of Bataan over the course of centuries with her miracles and loving guidance. The Virgin became a silent witness to the history of Bataan Peninsula and her presence is still felt in the heart of her children within and outside Bataan as her story became part of the weaving narrative of the province and she became the source of strength to the people of Bataan to continue it's way to progress.
La Virgen Milagrosa de Orani, Ipanalangin mo kami!
Reference:
Aviado, Lutgarda, Madonnas of the Philippines, Manlapaz Press, Quezon City, 1972.
Barcelona, Mary Anne, Ynang Maria: a celebration of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Philippines. Ed. Consuelo B. Estampa, P.D. Pasig City, Anvil Publishing Inc., 2004.
De Leon, Joel Alexander, Lambong: Alay sa Mahal na Birhen ng Orani, Bahay Limbagan ni Santa Veronica, Quezon City, 2009.
Novena in honor of La Virgen Milagrosa del Pueblo de Orani, St. Paul's Publication, Makati City., 2009.
Barcelona, Mary Anne, Ynang Maria: a celebration of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Philippines. Ed. Consuelo B. Estampa, P.D. Pasig City, Anvil Publishing Inc., 2004.
De Leon, Joel Alexander, Lambong: Alay sa Mahal na Birhen ng Orani, Bahay Limbagan ni Santa Veronica, Quezon City, 2009.
Novena in honor of La Virgen Milagrosa del Pueblo de Orani, St. Paul's Publication, Makati City., 2009.
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