The Miraculous La Inmaculada Concepcion de Catanauan of Catanauan, Quezon

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 La Inmaculada Concepcion de Catanauan
Catanauan is a historic town of Quezon province where it is known for its historical sites and the "Bilong-Bilong" festival that is celebrated in the area. One of its key sites is the Parish of the Immaculate Conception where the town's miraculous patroness is enshrined and devotees would flock the parish to seek help of their belvoed patroness.

The image

The brown skined image of the Virgin of Catanauan is an image of the Immaculate Conception carved in a de tallado folksy style which gives an impression that it was carved in the early years of the Spanish regime.

The image presents the Virgin Mary as the Immaculate Conception were we can see the diagnostic attributes of the this Marian attribute, her hands were carved in a prayer position and loose long hair falling gracefully. The image is also vested with real clothing donated by her devotees, sports a wig, a crown and doce estrellas that adorns the image at present.

 La Inmaculada Concepcion de Catanauan
without the vestments
The origins

The image was said to be carved between 17th until the 18th century. Although the origins of the image is unknown, local folklore tells us that the image was found in the shores of the area where half of its body was buried in mud due to low tide during that time by a fisherman. The fisherman took the image with him and it was still in his net and hanged it on his staircase. One night, while he is asleep, the Virgin visited him in a dream weeping and asked the fisherman to build a chapel in her honor so that people would come and pay homage to her. The fisherman heeded her request and immediately built a small chapel and enthroned the image there. Years later,  the parish was later consturcted and was dedicated to the Immaculate Conception in 1835. 

Since the enthronement of the image, numerous miracles were attributed to her intercession, one of them is saving Catanauan from Moro raids and pirates who wanted to conquer and destroy the town.

 La Inmaculada Concepcion de Catanauan
The devotion

The devotion to  La Inmaculada Concepcion de Catanauan continues to flourish up to the present. The Virgin's feast, December 8th is kept with much solemnity in the town because she became an integral part of the history and the fabric of life of the town for centuries.

We are in great need of Our Blessed Mother’s intercession. Today’s modern life is filled with many trials, struggles and injustices, as well as worldly temptations, which can easily affect a person’s faith and way of life. But anyone who wishes to persevere in God, strive in holiness, and reject the evils in his life will surely find inspiration, consolation, and grace in Our Lady.

References:

Paz; et al.. "The Catanauan Archaeological and Heritage Project: Report on the 3rd Excavation Season, Catanauan, Bondoc Peninsula, Quezon Province", 2011.
"Province of Quezon". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved August 20, 2019.

Credits to the owners of the photographs that were utilized for this blogpost
+AM+DG+

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