Los Santos Contra la pestilencia - The Saints against pestilence and plagues
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| San Roque de Caloocan, El Divino Rostro de Naga, Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje de Antipolo |
The early part of 2020 became one of the most devastating for the books because it was during this period that the a new deadly virus was detected, the COVID-19 or more popularly known as corona virus that came from China that is spreading rapidly throughout the world in breakneck speed. Unfortunately, the Philippines was one of the countries that were affected and the number of cases are rising at an alarming rate. The Philippine Catholic Church became wary on the situation that the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines issued cautionary measures and dispensations for the safety of the faithfula side from the issuance of an oratio imperata for this cause.
In this blogpost, we are going look on some pages from our Church history to know how the faithful cope and acted with such health issue and most specifically, the intervention of some of the country's Patrons and Protectors that spared them from such pestilence in their locality that further help strengthen their respective cultus that in some cases led to official Church recognition and/or grand celebration of their festivities.
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| A Plague Cross that is placed on doors |
In Medieval and Early Modern Europe. widespread suffering from the plague epidemics and general pestilence are rampant and the Church provided ample opportunity to help the faithful aside from administering the victims of plague epidemics, there are the introduction of numerous penitential acts from penitential processions, public scourging of penitents and religious, the formation of different confraternities and sodalities intended for this purpose, notably the Cofradia de la Nuestra Señora de la Consolacion y Correa of the Augustinians that was later established in the Philippines and establish an asylum for those who got cholera morbo.
Another method and perhaps the most popular are the propagation of devotions to some saints that are known to heal the sick and treat the terminally ill. Sufferers commonly prayed to the saints to intercede for them and proven to be effective that would led to the popularity of their cultus and sprung more pious acts in order to appease God to end plague epidemics.
Saints against plague epidemics
In the course of our Church history, numerous saints were invoked and performed miracles that help stop the ravages of plague epidemics and their cultus grew over the centuries. It is also worth mentioning that some there were some saints who lived during the times of plagues who fearlessly helped the plague victims, risking their lives in the name of charity like St. Charles Borromeo and St. Aloysius Gonzaga.
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| The Fourteen Holy Helpers |
The Fourteen Holy Helpers are a group of saints venerated together because their intercession is particularly effective, especially against various diseases and epidemics. This group of saints originated in the 14th century at first in the Rhineland, largely as a result of the bubonic plague that became known as the Black Death. Popular veneration of these saints often began in a monastery that held their relics. All of the saints, except St. Giles, were accounted martyrs.
Among the saints that are invoked as special patrons, in time of certain diseases, are these fourteen:
- St. George (Feast: April 23), soldier-martyr. Invoked for protection for domestic animals and against herpetic diseases. He is depicted striking down a dragon.
- St. Blaise (Feast: February 3), bishop and martyr. He is invoked against diseases of the throat. St. Blaise is shown with two crossed candles.
- St. Erasmus (Feast: June 2), bishop and martyr. He is invoked against diseases of the stomach and intestine, protection for domestic animals and patron of sailors. He is pictured with his entrails wound around a windlass.
- St. Pantaleon (Feast: July 27), martyr. Invoked against consumption, protection for domestic animals and patron of physicians and midwives. He is pictured with his hands nailed together.
- St. Vitus (Feast: June 15), martyr. Invoked in epilepsy, chorea, lethargy, and the bites of poisonous or mad animals and against storms. Also protection for domestic animals. Patron of dancer and actors. St. Vitus is pictured with his cross.
- St. Christopher (Feast: July 25), martyr. Invoked against the plague and sudden death. He is the patron of travelers, especially motorists, and is also invoked in storms. Usually pictured carrying the Child Jesus on his shoulder.
- St. Denis (Feast: October 9), bishop and martyr. Invoked against diabolical possession and headaches. Pictured carrying his head in his hands.
- St. Cyriacus (Feast: August 3), deacon and martyr. Invoked against diseases of the eye and diabolical possession. Also interceded for those in temptation, especially at the time of death. He is usually pictured as vested as a deacon.
- St. Acathius (Feast: May 3), martyr. Invoked against headaches and at the time of death's agony. He is pictured with a crown of thorns.
- St. Eustace (Feast: September 20), martyr. Invoked against fire — temporal and eternal. Patron of hunters. Patron in all kinds of difficulties, and invoked in family troubles. Pictured with a stag and hunting equipment.
- St. Giles (Feast: September 1), hermit and abbot. Invoked against the plague, panic, epilepsy, madness, and nightmares and for a good confession. Patron of cripples, beggars, and breastfeeding mothers. He is pictured in a monastic cowl with a deer.
- St. Margaret of Antioch (Feast: July 20), virgin and martyr. Invoked against backache. Patron for women in childbirth. She is pictured holding a dragon in chains.
- St. Catherine of Alexandria (Feast: November 25), virgin and martyr. Invoked against diseases of the tongue, protection against a sudden and unprovided death. She is pictured with a broken wheel.
- St. Barbara (Feast: December 4), virgin and martyr. Invoked against fever, lightning, fire and sudden death. Patron of builders, artillerymen and miners. St. Barbara is pictured with a tower and ciborium with a host above it.
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| Sta. Barbara of Iloilo, Sta. Catalina de Alejandria of Carcar, Cebu San Blas de Antique, San Dionisio de Parañaque and San Cristobal of Paete, Laguna |
In the Philippines, though the devotion to the Fourteen Holy Helpers was not that known, there were some churches, chapels and niches dedicated to at least four of them and gained much devotional following over the centuries. Most notable of these are Santa Barbara, venerated in Iloilo and Pangasinan, San Blas of Sebaste, Antique, Santa Catalina de Alenjandria in La Union, Carcar, Cebu and Pampanga, San Dionisio in his chapel in Barangay San Dionisio, Parañaque and San Cristobal in La Union and Paete, Laguna.
In the case of San Cristobal of Paete, Laguna, although he was known due to the two paintings that were hanged near the entrance of the centuries old St. James the Great Parish in Paete, Laguna. There was an old tradition that images of Saint Christopher should be placed near the entrance of residences, business establishments and churches or on the north facing the entrance, or located in such a way as to be in full view of the faithful because of a belief that anyone who sees and image of the saint will not die on that day.
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| San Rafael Arcangel de Calsca |
One of the three Archangels mentioned in Sacred Scripture, St Raphael is “one of the seven who stand before the Lord” (Tobit 12:15). His name means, “God heals”. St. Raphael is best known for his appearance in the book of Tobit, in which, disguised as a human, he aids the young Tobiah on a journey to Media. On this journey, St Raphael liberates Sarah, Tobiah’s betrothed, from a demon who killed her seven previous husbands on their wedding night. Upon their return, he heals Tobiah’s father Tobit of his blindness.
Due to his role of healing in the Book of Tobit, St. Raphael is traditionally attributed as the Angel of the Lord who moves the healing waters of the pool of Bethsaida.
He is also the heavenly patron of the blind, against nightmares, of happy meetings, nurses, doctors, travelers and invoked against plagues. One instance of his intercession against plagues happened in Cordoba, Spain where the devotion to Saint Raphael the Archangel spread following the plague that ravaged the city beginning in 1649. The devotion to San Rafael Arcangel was brought to our country by the Spanish friars during the Spanish colonization era and numerous parishes are dedicated to San Rafael, most notably in Calaca, Batangas were the miraculous black image of San Rafael is enshrined and known for averting plagues and disasters, most recently the image was brought out of his shrine for deliverance rites during the violent Taal volcano eruption and cessation of the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
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| San Miguel de Mayumo, Bulacan |
San Miguel Arcangel is known as the chief of the Archangels and Prince of the Heavenly Host. St. Michael has four main responsibilities or offices, as we know from scripture and Christian tradition: The first is to combat Satan, The second is to escort the faithful to heaven at their hour of death, The third is to be a champion of all Christians, and the Church itself. And the fourth is to call men from life on Earth to their heavenly judgment.
In the history of the Catholic Church, the intervention of St. Michael the Archangel against plagues were also sought after on two separate occasions that took place on the same date, April 25 in 590 in Rome and in 1631 in Tlaxcala, Mexico.
The first apparition took place on April 25, 590 when Pope St. Gregory the Great held a penitential procession to end the plague that claimed the lives of many in Europe. In the procession, they brought out the miraculous icon of Salus Populi Romani and sung the Litany of the Saints to appease God to end the deadly plague. It was then that the Blessed Virgin Mary, along with the angels headed by St. Michael the Archangel appeared and sung the "Regina Coeli" and Pope St. Gregory added the lines: “Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia! Gaude et lætare, Virgo Maria, alleluia! Quia surrexit Dominus vere, alleluia.” [Pray for us to God, alleluia! Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia! For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia!]. At the conclusion of the vision, the great pope witnessed Saint Michael sheathing his sword, and to the great joy of all the inhabitants, the horrific plague came to an end. The beautiful Church called Castel Sant’Angelo stands at the site where Saint Michael and his fellow angels had appeared on that day along with the Blessed Virgin Mary. April 25 became the Feast of the Great Litanies (which also shares with the Feast of St. Mark the Evangelist) where the Litany of the Saints
1040 years later, in 1631, a century after the great apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe to St. Juan Diego, Mexico was suffering from the plague where the victims were afflicted with “cocolixtli” by the locals, was a horrible form of smallpox that was devastating the people with immense sufferings and numerous deaths. The Mexican faithful then performed the same rites that took place in Rome in 590 from holding a penitential procession, the singing and praying of the Litany of the Saints. After the Litany was sung, the St. Michael appeared to a native Indian named Diego Lázaro de San Francisco and told him that he will find "a miraculous spring of water that will cure the people of their ills." The Archangel further instructed Diego not to doubt and neglect the instruction. Diego was initally overwhelmed with the vision but when he asked the people arou d if they also saw the vision, he found out that he was the only who beheld the vision. Confused, Diego thought perhaps he imagined the whole encounter, and he decided not to tell anyone about his experience yet St. Michael was not pleased and he was stricken with the plague.
Just when those around Diego were convinced that he was passing from this life, St. Michael intervened once again. This time, everyone present saw a dazzling light, which scared them tremendously, causing them all to flee from the hut. St. Michael later guided Diego to the mountain to locate the miraculous spring and the people followed Diego and was able to find the miraculous spring and he was suddenly cured of the plague. Soon afterwards, the people who got infected with the plague were also cured when they went to the spring and the devotion to San Miguel del Milagro began and the apparitions were later approved in 1643.
It was due to these two reported apparitions that St. Michael was also invoked against plague epidemics. In our country, St. Michael enjoyed much devotion especially in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte; Marilao and San Miguel, Bulacan; San Miguel, Manila (where the National Shrine is located); Argao, Cebu and a Minor Basilica in Tayabas, Quezon among others.
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| San Sebastian de Lumban |
St. Sebastian was one of the earliest saints known as advocate against plagues. St. Sebastian was born in Gaul, went to Rome, and joined the army, later becoming a captain under Diocletian. When it was discovered that he was a Christian who had converted many soldiers, Sebastian was ordered to be killed by arrows. The archers left him for dead, but a Christian widow nursed him back to health. He then presented himself before Diocletian, who condemned him to death by beating. His body, thrown into a sewer, was found by another pious woman, who dreamed that Sebastian told her to bury his remains near the catacombs. His relics are believed to be in the Basilica of San Sebastiano on the Appian Way, to which many pilgrims were attracted in the Middle Ages.
The belief that Saint Sebastian was a defense against the plague was a medieval addition to his reputation, which largely accounts for the enormous increase in his importance in the Late Middle Ages. The connection of the martyr shot with arrows with the plague is not an intuitive one. In Greco-Roman myth, Apollo, the archer god, at times destroys his enemies by shooting plague-arrows from the heavens, but is also the deliverer from pestilence; the figure of Sebastian Christianizes this folkloric association.
Visually, "the arrow wounds call to God for mercy to us, as the symptoms of the unfirm call for pity from the passerby" In 680, Rome was freed from a raging pestilence through his intercession. Another episode of a great plague that afflicted the Lombards in the time of King Gumburt, which was stopped by the erection of an altar in honor of Sebastian in the Church of Saint Peter in the Province of Pavia. The devotion to St. Sebastian also gained devotional following in the Philippines with numerous churches and chapels were dedicated to him, most notably in Lumban and Famy, Laguna, Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City and most famous of them is the Minor Basilica of San Sebastian in Plaza del Carmen, Quiapo, Manila.
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| San Roque de Caloocan |
San Roque arguably is the most popular saint against plagues and his cultus grown around the world because of his avocation. San Roque or St. Roch of Montpelier was born in Montpelier, France to a wealthy parents where his father is the governor of the place. He was orphaned when he was twenty and he later entered the Third Order of St. Francis of Assisi. He went on pilgrimage to Rome and devoted himself to caring for the victims of a plague that was ravaging Italy. He became a victim himself at Piacenza but recovered and was reputed to have performed many miracles of healing. On his return to Montpellier, he was imprisoned for five years for he was suspected as a spy in pilgrim's disguise by his uncle, who was governor. (His uncle failed to recognize him, and Roch failed to identify himself.) Roch died in prison and was only then identified as the former governor's son by a birthmark in the form of a cross on his chest.
When miracles were reported at his intercession after his death, a popular cult developed and he is invoked against pestilence and plague. He is also the patron of invalids. His feast day is August 16. The cult of San Roque soon became more popular when a plague struck in his hometown, an angel appeared to the tomb of the saint and brought a scroll that reads: "Those who were wounded with plague, implore the favor of Roque, will attain health." and the people began invoking the saint against plagues and soon, the plague suddenly vanished. It was through this miracle that the faithful began to ask his intercession to avert plagues up to the present day. In the Philippines, the cultus of San Roque enjoyed much popularity that numerous churches and chapels were established up to this day most notably in Caloocan City, Sta. Mesa and Blumentritt, Manila, Pateros City, Muntinlupa City, Cavite among others.
In light of the recent spread of the corona virus, the Church encourages prayers and novenas to be held in honor of San Roque to invoke once again his powerful intercession to cease the epidemic from spreading. In some locations like in his Cathedral in Caloocan City, Pateros City and some chapels that are dedicated to San Roque or to penitential processions that with his image included.
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| San Vicente Ferrer of the La Naval de Manila procession |
San Vicente Ferrer is one of the famed Dominican saints throughout the world, especially in Spain and its colonies and his invoked as well against plagues aside from being a thaumaturgist. St. Vincent Ferrer was in Spain in 1350, he received the Dominican habit at the age of seventeen. In his turbulent epoch, he was an angel of peace, preaching the word of God with special stress on penance and the Last Judgement. He was outstanding for the gift of prophecy, worked astonishing miracles and brought back thousand to the practice of their faith. Although he preached in his own native tongue to people who spoke different languages, he was clearly understood by all because of his extraordinary Gift of Tongues. The Saint spent the last three years of his life in France and died at Vannes, Brittany on April 5, 1419. Pope Calixtus III canonized him in 1455.
St. Vincent is was one of the saints that is invoked against plagues because he lived during the times of the black plague. It was during those times that not only he preached, he also took care of the sick who were afflicted by the plague. While studying at Barcelona and only in Deacon's orders he was bidden to preach. Famine and plague were raging. The ships sent from Flanders with corn had not arrived and the people were in despair. Vincent organized a procession, and in the Place del Boru preached to some 20,000 persons. The spirit of prophecy came upon him and he foretold that before nightfall the overdue ships should arrive. When he returned to the convent, a crowd of people rushed to the Convent, exultant, delirious with joy: the corn-laden ships had arrived and Vincent's prophecy was fulfilled.
After his death and canonization, devotion to St. Vincent Ferrer flourished and he was also invoked against plagues, next to San Roque and also enjoyed much devotional following in the Philippines when the Dominicans and interestingly the Augustinian Recollect Friars propagated the devotion in Luzon and in Visayas respectively. Numerous altars, churches, chaples and shrines were erected in his honor, especially in Cebu, Pangasinan, Laguna, Batangas among others.
During the Colonial and Pre-War years, the devotion also enjoyed a following in Manila, especially in Binondo and in the Walled City of Intramuros. In Binondo, Mondays were once dedicated to San Vicente Ferrer and devotees used to flock Binondo Church to fulfill their devotions to the saint. In Intramuros, the famed and surviving processional image of the saint that joins the La Naval de Manila processions used to have its own altar with votive offerings in the Old Santo Domingo Church. There was this old custom that the hand of the image is detached and brought to the sick, especially to the patients in San Juan de Dios Hospital (then in Intramuros) for veneration.
Our Lord gives his aid and protection
It is known to our Catholic faith that Our Lord Jesus Christ heals the sick and he did different means to cure people in his lifetime, even after his Ascension to heaven. Aside from His Eucharistic presence, Our Lord would also utilizes his image as instruments of miracles and there were some records in our Church history that there were images of Christ that believed to have performed miracles that ended plague epidemics that led to grand celebrations of feast days to commemorate these miracles.
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| El Divino Rostro de Naga |
The image of El Divino Rostro de Naga is the famed companion of Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia de Naga and the two images are always inseparable. The devotion to El Divino Rostro de Naga began when a replica of the image from Osa de Vega, Spain was brought by Rev. Fr. Pedro de la Torre, then named Provisor and Vicar General of the Diocese of Nueva Ceceres came to Naga. The picture was exposed to the piety of the inhabitants of the town and after a lapse of years, it became very popular.
In 1882, the "cholera morbo" broke out in Manila and it spread in other provinces, including Nueva Ceceres. A votive novena was held to stop the plague from causing more harm to the people and the image of Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia was brought to Naga Cathedral from her shrine. Fr. Pedro de la Torre remembered a similar catastrophe in Osa de la Vega and the miraculous intervention of the Divino Rostro. Fr. De la Torre made this miracle known to the people in Naga. The replica of the Divino Rostro was brought to the Cathedral for special prayers and devotion, imploring for the same prayers and mercy that was long ago shown. Bishop Casimiro Herrera with his priests then made a promise, should the dreadful disease spare Naga, the Divino Rostro will be pompously venerated with special festivities together with the Virgin of Peñafrancia. Fr. Pedro de la Torre decided to donate the image to the Sanctuario of Peñafrancia and the image can now be seen at he Basilica Minore of Muestra Señora de Peñafrancia in Naga, Camarines Sur.
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| Santo Niño de Pasion de Makati |
The devotion to the Santo Niño de Pasion was introduced to the Parish of Saints Peter and Paul in the old San Pedro de Macati (now Makati City) in 1885 thru the efforts of Fr. Manuel Marco. The devotion to the Sorrowing Child of Makati gradually became known throughout San Pedro de Makati.
The devotion to the sorrowing Child reached its peak when an epidemic hit the pueblo and the people immediately asked for the help of the Niño to spare them from the epidemic that was killing hundreds at that time. The Sorrowing Child did not turn a deaf ear and the epidemic suddenly disappeared that saved the old pueblo. With this particular miracle, his feast day was celebrated with much pomp and solemnity throughout Makati for centuries and the devotion became widespread.
The Feast of the Santo Niño de Pasion was formerly celebrated first during Septuagesima Sunday (Three Sundays before First Sunday of Lent) in the Tridentine Calendar, then later moved to Sunday after Ash Wednesday with the reforms of the Liturgical Calendar in the Second Vatican Council and finally moved to its current feast every Second Sunday of Lent. On the novena days, the Dalit to the Santo Niño de Pasion is recited or sung which recounts his meditations on his early life and the Passion that he will face in the future and as well as a supplication for his continues protection to the city.
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| Santo Niño de Tacloban |
The famed Santo Niño de Tacloban is one of the most revered images of the Child Jesus in the province of Leyte and it feast is celebrated every June 30, aside from its liturgical feast every Third Sunday of January. The history of the miraculous Señor Sto. Niño de Tacloban explains the change in the date of the celebration of the feast of the beloved patron. When the image of the Señor Sto. Niño de Tacloban got lost in its voyage back from Manila to Tacloban for repair, a cholera epidemic ensued. That was weeks before the January feast of the patron then. The miracle was when the icon was retrieved from Semirara Island in Caluya, Antique, months after it got lost offshore and was returned to Tacloban on June 30, the cholera epidemic ended.
This prompted the devotees to celebrate the feast of Señor Sto. Niño on June 30. Then in the 1960's by virtue of a decree of then Bishop Teotimo Pacis, the Señor Sto. Niño de Tacloban became the patron as well of the entire province of Leyte.
Mary as advocate against plagues and pestilence
During times of plague, the Blessed Mother helped on averting plagues in myriad of ways, one of them, and probably the most significant was when she gave the Miraculous Medal thru St. Catherine Laboure in a vision and it was greatly distributed in 1832 when a cholera epidemic hit France. It is said that those who were stricken with the plague who wore the medal with confidence were miraculously healed, hence the medal, originally known as the Medal of the Immaculate Conception, became popularly known as the Miraculous Medal.
The Blessed Virgin Mary is known as the Principal Patroness of the Philippines under the title of the Immaculate Conception since the Spanish regime. Her patronage over the islands became providential because she clearly manifested herself through numerous miracles that she wroght to her devotees in different parts of the country, including aversion of plague epidemics that raveged the country up to this day. It was through these miracles that the Filipino people became staunch devotees of the Blessed Virgin and gained the name "Pueblo Amante de Maria".
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| Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje de Antipolo |
The image of Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje, venerated in her National Shrine and Cathedral of Antipolo is famously known for her guidance for travelers and her role in the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade. Unbeknownst to many, the Virgin of Antipolo also performed an important miracle that led to a beautiful tradition that is still observed up to the present.
A cholera outbreak was spreading the Philippine Islands and several people died everyday during the outbreak and Antipolo was not spared. The people were alarmed with the situation that they decided to seek the help of the Virgin of Antipolo to eradicate the plague. The people brought the image and was brought in procession then later enthroned on top of a hill and held a mass . After the mass, the plague was gone and this became a practice to bring the Virgin to the hill in special times of need.
The Hill is now called the Pinagmisahan Hills and today, on the first Tuesday of May - the Feast of Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buien Viaje, the image is brought to Pinagmisahan Hills and held the opening mass to signal the beginning of the Pilgrimage season that would last until the First Tuesday of July.
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| Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia de Naga |
The Queen of Bicolandia is undoubtedly beloved by the whole Bicolandia due to the numerous miracles that were attributed to her intercession and the month of September became an important month for Bicolanos because it is on this day they celebrate her famed fiesta. When the cholera morbo hit Nueva Ceceres in 1883, The bishop of Nueva Caceres, Msgr. Casimiro Hererra had the image of Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia brought to the Cathedral imploring her maternal protection and help for the townspeople from the dreadful disease. Along with the image of El Divino Rostro, the unceasing prayers of the faithful can be heard in the Cathedral of St. John in Nueva Caceres.
Bishop Casimiro Herrera with his priests then made a promise, should the dreadful disease spare Naga, the Divino Rostro will be pompously venerated with special festivities together with the Virgin of Peñafrancia. Our Lord and Our Lady di not turn a deaf ear and the cholera epidemic in Naga ceased a few days later.
When the image of the Virgin was to be taken to the Cathedral from the shrine on September of 1883, the Divino Rostro was also carried along in the procession with the priests themselves carrying it on their shoulders. The miracle and the vow made the Bicolano faithful was the beginning of the annual festivities in honor of the Queen of Bicolandia that is still observed up to this day.
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| Nuestra Señora de la Salud |
One of the surviving images of Old Intramuros, the image of Nuestra Señora de la Salud of the Augustinian Recollect Friars. What made the Virgen de la Salud more popular during the Spanish regime was due to the miracle that took place during the Chinese uprising in 1639. The Virgin of Health, then enshrined to her own church in San Juan de Bagumbayan, was transferred to San Nicolas de Tolentino in Intramuros. This was done to have a novena for the health and cure of the armada from fever that was rampant during that time and to establish peace. The prayers were held with grand solemnity, attended by no less than the Archbishop of Manila, the city officials, the Royal Audiencia, and the great multitude of the faithful, who profited much from the devotion to the Virgen de la Salud.
With that particular miracle attributed to the image of the Virgin of Health, devotees grew over the centuries. One of the most prolific devotee of the Virgin was the great St. Ezekiel Moreno whom he invokes as "Nuestra Señora Salud de los Enfermos" and sought her Patronage. The image at present is currently enshrined to her permanent chapel at San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish in Quezon City and once again performing healing miracles and gaining new devotees of this generation.
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| Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso de Parañaque |
The miraculous image of Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso de Parañaque is hailed as the Queen and Patroness of Parañaque City and its Diocese. Known for its famed miracles since her arrival and enthronement years later.
One of the most astounding miracles of "Nana Ciso", as she was fondly called by her devotees, was during the cholera outbreak from 1662 - 1664. Many residents of Parañaque died on a daily basis that the people decided to cling to their last resort - their beloved and miraculous Patroness. The people of Parañaque went to the prior of St. Andrew's convent, Fr. Francisco Martinez, OSA to ask to borrow the image of the Virgin so they could bring her to the visitas and in processions and ask her intercession to cease the epidemic. Fr. Martinez happily agreed with the condition that the image will be out of her church for a night.
With this concession, the people immediately arranged a procession on November 25, 1664 and Fr. Martinez with his companions also joined the procession said the litanies against the pestilence. That same day, all of the residents who were afflicted with the epidemic were suddenly cured and accompanied the Virgin back to the Church and the epidemic vanished in Parañaque.
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| Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Porta Vaga |
The famous Queen of Cavite is also known as the the "Virgin of thousand miracles" due to the numerous miracles that she wrought to her devotees from the time the image was discovered at Cañacao Bay. One of her most notable miracle is the miracle that ended the cholera outbreak in Cavite Puerto. In 1882, a terrible cholera epidemic spread in Cavite Puerto.It was said that Caviteños died by the hundreds and the streets had been a scene of daily funeral processions. The Spanish politico-military governor of Cavite, Don Juan Salcedo Y Mantilla de los Rios, ordered the spraying and burning of gunpowders on the streets so that the fire and the smoke they produce might drive away the virus of the disease. During this epidemic, the Governor himself fell ill.One afternoon, as he was about to take his siesta, he ordered his soldiers not to admit any visitor.After some time, he heard a persistent knock at the door. To his surprise, he found an old woman dressed in black.
After the customary greetings, she asked him to give orders that the fiesta of Cavite be celebrated with the greatest pomp possible. The Governor, eager to send the intruder away, agreed to the request. Then, the unwanted visitor left.The Governor, filled with fury at his soldiers, reprimanded them for admitting the old lady. The guards replied that they had not allowed anyone to enter the house. Then the Governor remembered the request. He realized that it must be the Virgin Herself who appeared to him.He also realized that after talking to the woman, the fever had left him. He immediately heeded the Virgin's request after the epidemic ended and through this miracle that led to the elaborate celebrations of the Feast of the Queen of Cavite that is still observed, especially on the month of November.
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| Nuestra Señora de Gudalupe de Cebu |
The miraculous image of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe de Cebu is known as one of the most famous miraculous patrons of Cebu. A certain miracle that took place in 1902 that earned her the distinction as the Patroness of Cebu. In 1902, there was a cholera outbreak that hit the whole city but hardest hit was Barrio Guadalupe and many of the residents died. Placido "Edo" Datan initiated a move and called on the barrio leaders to hold a penitential dawn procession and chant the "Antifona" [The prayer Hail Mary in Spanish (Dios Te Salve Maria) but sung repeatedly in a very plaintive tune.] to invoke the help of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Holy Cross of Jesus, and end the epidemic. The procession and the singing of the "Antifona" was held from mid-May to Mid-June.
The cholera epidemic stopped but not immediately. As the dawn procession went on, the number of deaths decreased until there were no more deaths in the barrio. As an act of thanksgiving to God and to the Virgin of Guadalupe, Silverio Gonzales and the other people involved, decided to hold a thanksgiving novena from July 8 to 16 1902, with a grand procession of the Holy Cross and the image of the Virgin. Since then, July 16 has always been celebrated as the second fiesta of the Virgin of Guadalupe of Cebu.
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| Patrocinio de la Nuestra Señora de Boljoon |
The Patrocinio de la Nuestra Señora is the miraculous Patroness of Boljoon, Cebu since 1599 when the Augustinians established a chapel, then later became a parish in Nabulho, that would later be known as Boljoon, located near Carcar. Since her enthronement, miracles began to be reported through the intercession of La Patrocinio from saving tehm from Moro raids and calamities that threatened Boljoon.
In the writings of Fr. Fabian Rodriguez, a cholera epidemic broke out in nearby towns of southern Cebu that deaths were reported in a fast pace. However, the epidemic did not reach Boljoon, as the townfolks invoked for the motherly protection of the Blessed Mother. Numerous prayers were answered and diseases were healed due to the loving intercession and protection of the Virgin that pilgrims come to her church constantly to as k for her intercession for their different needs.
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| Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe de Extremadura de Loboc |
This image of Neustra Señora de Guadalupe de Extremadura de Loboc arrived in Loboc, Bohol in 1843 in perfect timing where a cholera epidemic was spreading in Bohol. However, feeling responsible for ignoring Loboc of the visitation of Our Lady, they pursued in bringing the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe to the Parish of Sts. Peter and Paul. This happened on May 24, 1843. And the crate bearing the image of Our Lady was unlocked without difficulty. The Lobocanons in their grief and with a vestige of hope, turned to the Blessed Virgin Mary for help, through the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. And the supplication of the Lobocanons was answered.
After bringing the image to a fluvial procession in the Loboc River, a three-hour heavy downpour took place. The cholera epidemic lifted and the people were able to resume their daily occupations and praied the Lord and Our Lady of the deliverance of the town and she immediately became the town's patroness.
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| Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Imus |
The image of Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Imus, fondly called "Nana Pilar" to her devotees, is known as one of the famed images of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the province of Cavite due to the numerous miracles that were attributed to her intercession.
One of the most notable miracles of the Virgin happened during the tenure of one of its illustrious priests that would become a saint in the future - St. Ezekiel Moreno. The assignment of St. Ezekiel Moreno as the Administrator of the Hacienda de Imus in 1892 that Fr. and to help the parish priest Fray Jose Maria Learte, OAR was proven to be a providential act from heaven for it was during this time that Haceinda de Imus was striken with the Cholera epidemic that greatly affected the Hacienda.
It is said that Fr. Moreno often prayed in front of the Image of Nana Pilar and ask for the cessation of the Epidemic; the outbreak did kill 3,200 Imuseños, but with the grace of God and intercession of the Blessed Mother the epidemic ceased.
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| Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe de Makati |
The Virgin of Guadalupe is the official Celestial Patroness of the Philippines due to its close historical link with Mexico and to the miracles that she also did here in our country since the introduction of her cultus in the Philippines years after the famed apparitions to St. Juan Diego.
One of the most recent accounts of divine and maternal intervention of Our Lady in times of plagues occurred during the early 2000's. It was during this time that outbreak of SARS was spreading all over the world. It is reported that the Late Jaime Cardinal Sin, then the Archbishop of Manila, requested that the Pilgrim Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe (a replica of the tilma) be brought to his residence in Villa San Miguel. This said image is a faithful copy of the original Tilma enshrined in Mexico City, which was given as a gift to the Cardinal by Filipino pilgrims to celebrate the centennial of the Canonical Coronation of Our Lady of Guadalupe as Empress of the Americas and the Philippines in 1994.
The Pilgrim tilma was brought and enthroned in the chapel of the Villa. It is narrated that after the cardinal prayed before the venerable image, the threat of SARS abated, and things went back to normal for our country.
A commentary
In these times where most of the world is in panic and would do questionable decisions that would stir more fear to the people, we should not be afraid, as Our Lord and Our Lady often tells us because this is the perfect opportunity to strengthen one's faith, or in some cases, re-examine it. Instead of us panicking on the virus, aside from doing the necessary preventive measures to keep us safe, we also should storm the heavens with unceasing prayers and sacrifices, do penances, amend one's ways, ask forgiveness of sins, do acts of reparation, do good works and live a holy life, that way, Our Lord will hear our sincere plea to cease the spread of the virus and live better lives.
To conclude this blogpost, here are some recommended prayers and practices that we can do to appease God's justice to end this plague
Recommended prayers:
Oratio Imperata on the 2019 Novel Corona Virus
(Published by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines)
God our Father, we come to you in our need to ask your protection against the COVID 19
that has disturbed and even claimed lives. We pray that you guide the people tasked to find cures for this disease and to stem its transmission.
Protect the medical experts that they may minister to the sick with competence and compassion.
We pray for those afflicted. May they be restored to health soon. Protect those who care for them.
Grant eternal rest to those who have died. Give us the grace in this trying time to work for the good of all and to help those in need.
We implore you to stop the spread of this virus and to save us from our fears. Grant all these through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
We fly to Your protection, oh Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our petition in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, Oh glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.
Our Lady, health of the sick, pray for us.
St. Raphael the Archangel, pray for us.
St. Rock, pray for us.
St. Lorenzo Ruiz, pray for us.
St. Pedro Calungsod, pray for us.
Prayer in times of plague and pestilence
(From the 1962 Roman Missal)
O God, who desired not the death of sinners but their repentance, we beseech thee graciously to look upon thy people now that they turn unto thee; that as long as they show devotion unto thee, thou wilt mercifully turn away from them the scourges of thine anger: Through Jesus Christ thy Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost -- ever-one God, world without end. Amen.
Our Father ... Hail Mary ... Glory Be ...
Stella Caeli Extirpavit
(Marian prayer/hymn that is prayed/sung during plagues. this prayer can be added after each decade of the rosary and after Angelus/Regina Coeli)
Stella caeli extirpavit
que lactavit Dominum
mortis pestem, quam plantavit
primus parens hominum.
Ipsa stella nunc dignetur
sydera compescere;
quorum bella plebem cedunt
dire mortis ulcere.
O gloriosa stella maris,
a peste succurre nobis.
Audi nos: nam Filius tuus
nihil negans te honorat.
Salva nos, Jesu, pro quibus
virgo mater te orat.
(English translation)
Star of Heaven,
who nourished the Lord
and rooted up the plague of death
which our first parents planted;
may that star now deign
to hold in check the constellations
whose strife grants the people
the ulcers of a terrible death.
O glorious star of the sea,
save us from the plague.
Hear us: for your Son
who honours you denies you nothing.
Jesus, save us, for whom
the Virgin Mother prays to you.
References:
Aviado, Lutgarda, (1972), "Madonnas of the Philippines", Manlapaz Press, Quezon City.
Barcelona, Mary Anne.(2004) "Ynang Maria: a celebration of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Philippines". Ed. Consuelo B. Estampa, P.D. Pasig City, Anvil Publishing Inc.
_________(2012), "Bohol's Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe", Retrieved from http://www.bohol-philippines.com/the-feast-of-our-lady-of-guadalupe.html on May 12, 2018.
"Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe de Cebu", Retrieved from http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php/Nuestra_Se%C3%B1ora_de_Guadalupe_de_Cebu.
Jockle, Clemens (2003). "Encyclopedia of Saints". Konecky & Konecky, USA.
Pirlo, Paolo, SHMI (2001), "A Year with the Saints", Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate, Isabella de Rosis St., Multinational Village, Paranaque City.
“San Miguel del Milagro: The Apparition of Saint Michael in Mexico”, Crusade Magazine, Jan-Feb 2015, USA.
Rubia, Rommel, OAR, "La Salud: the Black Virgin of Health", Recoletos Communications, Order of Augustinian Recollects, Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno, Quezon City, 2016.
Sanchez, Francisco,. "La Virgen Maria Venerada en sus Imagenes Filipinas", Manila: Imp. De Santos y Bernal., 1904.
______ (2000), "The Canonical Coronation of Neustra Señora del Buen Suceso, Patroness of Parañaque City", St. Andrew Parish, Qurino Ave., La Huerta, Parañaque City.
Interview:
Buñag, Ronald - National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati City
Photos:
Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe - Guadalupe, Cebu
Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Raphael the Archangel, Calaca, Batangas
Figueroa, Jun - Immaculate Conception Cathedral - National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, Antipolo, Rizal
St. Michael the Archangel Parish Facebook page, St St. Michael the Archangel Parish, San Miguel, Bulacan
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