The Mysterious yet Miraculous Twin Crosses of Tondo

-
The Twin Crosses "Kambal na Krus" of Tondo, Manila
Tondo, Manila, known as one of the most populated yet historically significant district in the Capitol. Tondo is also known as the home of the famed image of Señor Santo Niño de Tondo - the second oldest image of the Child Jesus in the country. 

The Crosses

The mysterious yet miraculous "Kambal na Krus" was more of log cut into half where the imprints of a Cross can be seen. One piece is a bit larger than the other, but both are adorned with burst of metal rays or rayos, and draped with embroidered cloth serving as capes of sorts.The trunks, which have darkened with age making the crosses less visible, flank a carved figure of crucified Christ. 

Crispino Lacandaso with the
"Kambal na Krus"
The mysterious discovery

On March 23, 1922, a young labourer named Crispino Lacandaso was chopping wood from a felled, hundred year-old sampalok (Tamarind) tree on an empty lot at 1885 Juan Luna Street, Gagalangin, Manila,

Lacandaso initially had difficulty cutting the trunk, but upon finally cleaving in twain, he saw a dark cross on a base, imprinted on both halves of the wood. The pieces of wood were subsequently encased in glass, and devotees from other parts of the city flocked to the site, and a small chapel was later built to enshrine the wood. The discovery of the twin crosses—Kambal na Krus—was considered a miracle, and instantly created a sensation among devout Catholics in the area.

The pieces of wood were subsequently encased in glass, and later, installed in a small chapel that was built as a shrine where devotees could come to venerate the sacred twin crosses. The chapel continues to be a center of pilgrimage and has been renovated many times, the last one as recent as 2013. The Kambal na Krus chapel os currently under the jurisdcition of the Parish of San Jose in Gagalangin, Tondo, Manila.

"Kambal na Krus" in procession
The devotion

The Chapel's Discovery Day is on March 23, but the actual celebration is held on the third Sunday of March. A triduum of Masses precedes the day of the fiesta. On the feast day itself, two Masses are celebrated: one in the morning and one in the afternoon, followed by a procession. 

During the fiesta, many people go to the Chapel to venerate the crosses, showing gratitude for all the blessings and graces they received. On Maundy Thursday, many people from provinces and other cities in Metro Manila flockthe Chapel as a station as they perform the traditional Visita Iglesia pilgrimage.

 The devotion to the twin crosses continues to fourish up to this day. The devotion  to the Holy Cross teaches us that though Christ died only on a single cross, we should also accompany Him on carrying our own crosses, not only on his suffering but also in his triumph.

References:

Beringuela, Adela C., ed., "The Manila Studies Program Inaugural Lectures: Papers Presented During the First Annual MSP Conference, June 23-25, 1989 Volume 1, Issues 1-4 of MSP journal". Manila Studies Program, College of Arts & Sciences, University of the Philippines, 1991.
"Kambal na Krus, patunay ng malawak at matatag na debosyon kay Hesukristo" Retrieved from https://www.veritas846.ph/kambal-na-krus-patunay-ng-malawak-at-matatag-na-debosyon-kay-hesukristo/ on August 18, 2019.

Credits to the owner of the photographs utilized for this blogpost.
+AM+DG+

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Nuestra Señora de Barangay - The Mother and Protectress of the Barangay

-
Image
Nuestra Señora de Barangay Of all Marian images venerated in the country, there is a simple yet beautiful image of Our Lady that is very unique in our consciousness, the very Filipina image of the Virgin of the Barangay. The image of the "Virgen sang Barangay" gained much attention since its first public appearance in the 1950's as the Patroness of the Barangay sang Birhen Organization and began touring the nation for some years and numerous replicas of this image, whether it is a painting or a three-dimensional statue, this particular Venerada clearly shows how the Blessed Virgin became became our own Mother of the Filipino Nation and became a unifying force for centuries and still enjoys much love and veneration as time passed by.  The image The icon of the Virgin of the Baranggay depicts the Virgin presenting her Son to the barangay. The Virgin wears the traditional balintawak and wearing a red and yellow tapis on her waist while the Child is covered with
Read more

Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario, La Naval de Manila - The Queen and Protectress of the Philippines

-
Image
Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario –  La Naval de Manila Within the busy streets of Quezon Avenue, Quezon City, a towering shrine is seen along its road. Inside that massive shrine of Santo Domingo Church, it houses the silent witness to the turbulent yet triumphant history of the Philippines – the beautiful and grand image of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario, La Naval de Manila. The Virgin of the Rosary of La Naval is not only a silent witness, she is the anchor of hope of the Filipinos through the centuries of its turbulent and challenging history, better yet, the Great Protectress of the islands, the La Gran Senora de Filipinas. The Image of Nuestra Señora del Santísimo Rosario, La Naval de Manila (colloquially known as the Santo Rosario or Our Lady of La Naval de Manila), is one of the most miraculous and the most important in the country. As with the Battle of Lepanto of 1571, Filipinos credit her intercession for successfully repulsing Dutch invasion during the Battles of L
Read more

Sisters in Blood, Sisters in Christ - The Talangpaz Sisters

-
Image
Servants of God Dionisia and Cecilia Rosa Talangpaz During the Spanish period,, there were few women who pioneered for a change in the early years of the Catholic Church in the Philippines, then controlled by the Spanish Clergy from the likes of Venerable Ignacia del Espiritu Santo, foundress of the Religious of the Virgin Mary, Servant of God Francisca del Espiritu Santo, foundress of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena and the two sisters who founded the Second Congregation for Filipino women, the Augustinian Recollect Sisters of Manila - the Talangpaz sisters of Calumpit, Bulacan. The Talangpaz sisters heeded the call to serve the Lord and later founded a Congregation for Filipinas who wanted to live a contemplative life within the cloisters of a convent which was then denied by the Spanish colonial clergy at that time until the foundation of these Congregations. Despite the Controversies and hardships they faced, the sisters, backed up with their unwavering faith
Read more

Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario - La Naval de Angeles: The Regal Patroness of Angeles, Pampanga

-
Image
Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario - La Naval de Angeles inside the Holy Rosary Parish's famed sunburst altar Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario - La Naval de Angeles In the previous blogpost, we discovered the history of the image and the surrounding devotion to Santo Angel Custodio , the titular Patron of Angeles City, Pampanga where the progressive city was named after, aside from its founder Don Ángel Pantaleón de Miranda. On this blogpost, we are going to present the history of the devotion to Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario - La Naval de Angeles - the Queen and Patroness of Angeles City, Pampanga. The image The venerable image of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario - La Naval de Angeles is a de vestir image of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary somehow patterned to that of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario - La Naval de Manila where the image is also vested in regal robes with bombas (conical enhancements), wears a set of metal accessories and jewels
Read more

Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Manila - La Fuerza y Alegria de Manila

-
Image
Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Manila (Courtesy of Mr. Christopher Palabay) In the busy streets of Modern Quiapo - Santa Cruz areas, commercial establishments from ever present shopping malls down to the bangketas that sells almost everything from clothing, food, jewelry, that covered the area is always a common scene. With that modern yet looming atmosphere of that district, it is easy to forget that the same district was once one of the most aristocratic and arrogant arrabal (Spanish for district) during the glorious days of Old Manila. The district that several novou riche families and aristocrats used to stay in that neighborhood and where commerce thrives in.  The link between the Glory days of Old Manila and its present atmosphere is located in a dominant Parish Church of Sta. Cruz, the centuries old miraculous image of Nuestra Señora del Pilar. The beautiful sliver gilded image of the "La Pilarica" is the silent witness to the colorful history of the district. As
Read more