The Miraculous Nuestra Señora de Lourdes of Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan

Nuestra Señora de Lourdes of
Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan
In the mountainous area of Dona Remedios Trinidad (popularly known for its acronym DRT) located in the Sierra Madre mountains in Bulacan province, there is a locally known site for pilgrimages since it's establishment that became part of Bulakenyo devotions: The Church of Nuestra Señora de Lourdes de Doña Remedios Trinidad.  The Virgin of Lourdes of DRT gained many devotees over the years and miracles were occurring to her shrine up to this day.

The image

The venerable image of Nuestra Señora de Lourdes of Dona Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan is a de vestir image of Our Lady of Lourdes that is currently enthroned at the main altar. The image of Our Lady of Lourdes is quite unique because although it is faithful to the iconography of Our Lady of Lourdes: white dress and veil, a blue sash on her waist, a rosary on her arm and two gold roses on her feet, the dress was done in a traditional folk way of dressing up images from billowing sleeves and openings made from different fabrics donated by the faithful, a white veil, a crown and doce estrellas on her head.

Nuestra Señora de Lourdes of
Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan
The beginning of the devotion

The devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes of Doña Remedios Trinidad began on June 13, 1989 when Rev. Fr. Salvador Viola established a quasi-parish in a then newly created town of Doña Remedios Trinidad and placed it under the patronage of Our Lady of Lourdes. Fr. Viola wanted to establish a Catholic mission of the locals yet he faced some hardships due to poverty, coldness of faith and distance. With the help of the Virgin, Fr. Viola's mission bear its fruit for the locals soon rekindle it's faith and became a better community. The home of the Virgin of Lourdes became a parish in 2000 and soon gained a distinction as "Mama Lourdes of Sierra Madre: A Church on the Hill."

Miracles

Since the devotion arrived in the Dona Remedios Trinidad, numerous miracles were reported that are attributed to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Lourdes. One of the most well known miracle of the Virgin is the cure of a man named Rodolfo Torres from Paco, Manila from the stone in his gall bladder after he made made a pilgrimage to the parish, prayed to Our Lady of Lourdes, attended mass and venerated the relic of St. Bernadette Soubirous, the visionary of Our Lady of Lourdes. His physician confirmed and testified his miraculous cure.

The besapies image of Nuestra Señora
de Lourdes of Dona Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan
On April 13, 2006, Holy Thursday, the parishioners reported that they saw the Virgin of Lourdes appeared on top of the ciborium while the Holy Thursday vigil was taking place at that time. The parishioners testified that they saw the Virgin clearly and the phenomenon lasted for two hours. As of press time, there was no definite decision with regard to this phenomenon yet it did create an impact to the devotees of the Virgin of Lourdes of Doña Remedios Trinidad.

The devotion at present

The devotion to Nuestra Señora de Lourdes of Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan continues to grow and develop as of today. More pilgrims and devotees come in pilgrimage to the newly established shrine of the Virgin of Lourdes to seek her healing and maternal love. Her feast day, February 11 is well attended by her devotees and pilgrims and they celebrate her feast with much solemnity.

The introduction of the devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes in Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan was proven to be a key moment in the lives of the people in the area. From once cold hearted people to the people devoted to Our Lady because of the graces she bestowed upon that would lead them to her Son Jesus.

Reference:

"Chicago: A Dinner Dance to Remember for Mama Lourdes" (souvenir program) Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan, 2006.

Special credits to the owners of the photographs utilized in this blogpost.
Special thanks to Bro. Aries Robinson Casas of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan for the documents and other photographs of Our Lady of Lourdes of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan.
+AM+DG

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