Nuestra Señora de Biglang Awa de Pulilan - The Miraculous icon of Pulilan, Bulacan

Nuestra Señora de Biglang Awa de Pulilan

In the heart of Pulilan, Bulacan lies the barrio of San Francisco where the barrio is known as a pilgrimage site for years. It was in this particular barrio that a chapel dedicated to a  miraculous icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary is located and flocked by pilgrims, especially  during Lent - the image of Nuestra Señora de Biglang Awa of Pulilan.

The icon

The unique image of Nuestra Señora del Pronto Socorro of Pulilan, Bulacan depicts the Blessed Virgin is holding the Child Jesus, feeding it on her bosom while riding a boat in the middle of the sea. The icon is encased on a wooden frame with ornamental flowers and enclosed in a wooden altar.

The Origins

Nuestra Señora de Biglang Awa de Pulilan

Although the origins of the image is unknown, yet there is this pious legend that tells how this painting was found. There was a group of Chinese were sailing in a big boat. Suddenly, a sharp object pierced the bottom of the boat,making a big hole through which the water gushed. Then the Chinese looked up to heaven and cried, “ Biglang-Awa! Biglang-Awa!”. And all of  a sudden, the image appeared from nowhere, sealed the hole in the boat and saved the lives of the Chinese. Hence the name “Mahal na Birheng Biglang-Awa”.

Surviving the ordeal, the Chinese merchant framed the icon, and put it in his house. Later, he would hear a consistent rapping on the walls, upon which he started praying the pasyon to the image. After some time, the icon passed into the custodianship of the Joson family then later to the Garica family.

Nuestra Señora de Biglang Awa de Pulilan

Miracles

According to the oral tradition, the Blessed Virgin would disguise as an old woman went to some hometowns of Isabela and Cabanatuan and knocks on doors of houses. Others were along their everyday life or in the middle of their journey. These people then, will look for the owner of the image and shared what the old woman told to them when they finally arrived at the chapel of Biglang Awa and saw the miraculous icon. It is also reported the icon is moving when a girl pictured the image of the blessed virgin and cried when she glanced at the image and noticed that the banca is moving for the water is surging.

The water inside the chapel is also considered miraculous.Many people drink and collect water to give to their relatives who are sick. People also donate water for they believe that blessings will be extended upon them.

The statue version of Nuestra Señora
de Biglang Awa de Pulilan

The devotion

Every first Sunday of Lent, thousands flock to San Francisco. From Pampanga, from Nueva Ecija, and provinces farther north come the celebrants. Pilgrims come to celebrate the feast of “Mahal na Birhen ng Biglang-Awa”. The feast day of Biglang Awa has also reached a wide audience, not only Pulilenyos but also people from across Central and Northern Luzon and even visitors from as far as Mindanao and the United States, come to the chapel to participate in the novena that climaxes the celebrations.

Quantities of Vegetables donated from devotees in Cagayan, Isabela and Nueva Ecija would be cooked by devotees who have inherited this task from their parents at a nearby lot and then distributed freely to thousands of devotees flocking the chapel as part of their panata for answering their prayers in the time of need. They believed that all the sickness and diseases of every member of their family will be cured when they consumed this half-cooked food as allegedly instructed by the Virgin at some instances.

These are the reasons why many people wanted to visit this place. This is the living story of the miraculous icon of Biglang Awa. An old woman, who travels in every place of the country, is establishing or regaining faith on every heart of mankind.

References:

"Birhen ng Biglang Awa, Miraculous Testimonies", Retrieved from http://fotoperyodismo.weebly.com/fotoperyodismobiglangawamiraculous.html on August 14, 2019.
"The Holy Virgin of Instant Mercy", Retrieved from http://andalltheangelsandsaints.blogspot.com/2016/01/237-holy-virgin-of-instant-mercy-by.html?m=1 on August 14, 2019.

Credits to the owner of the photographs that were used for this blogpost.
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