Nuestra Señora de la Merced de Novaliches - The Mother and Patroness of Novaliches, Quezon City

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The original and altar image of Nuestra Señora de la Merced de Novaliches
 
In the bustling district of Novaliches in Quezon City where almost everything in sight is a picture of modernity and progress, at the same time, the district played a crucial role in our history, especially during the Philippine Revolution of 1896. In this modern looking district, (with a separate diocese) there is a one particular landmark that became a silent witness to the developing history of Novaliches - the Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy of Novaliches where the its patroness - Nuestra Señora de la Merced de Novaliches guided and protected Novaliches for the past centuries.

The original image of Nuestra Señora de la
Merced de Novaliches
The images

There are three main images of Nuestra Señora de la Merced de Novaliches venerated in her shrine: the centuries old original image, the processional de vestir image and the now recognizable altar image. 

The original de tallado image presents the Blessed Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Mercy standing on a cloud with putti (little angels), both hands are raised and extended and previously holding a chain or the White Mercedarian Scapular, has long and wavy hair covered with a dainty veil, wears a crown and the diagnostic doce estrellas. The head of the Virgin is looking side way which is quite interesting for this image. The Virign wears the Mercedarian habit - the white habit and white scapular and a blue cape. The image is kept at the Shrine's Museum for safekeeping and also for veneration of the faithful. 

The Second image is the de vestir processional image where it also shares the same elements of the original image of Nuestra Señora de la Merced de Novaliches from the vestments (richly embroidered white habit, white scapular and blue cape), hands that are extended and raised holding the White Mercedarian Scapular and chain, wears a dainty veil and also wears a crown and the diagnostic doce estrellas. For this image, the Virgin faces the beholder with a sweet smile and wears a wig. 

The third and probably the currently recognized image of the shrine is the altar image. The current altar image is a more than life size de tallado image which deviates from the traditional iconography of the first two images of the Shrine. For this image, the Virgin wears the Mercedarian habit from the white robe, cape and scapular, holds the White Mercedarian Scapular on her right and a scepter on the left. The Virgin looks sideways towards the left and have very modern Spanish features. The Virgin's hair was long and wavy topped with a crown and the diagnostic doce estrellas. Most recently a smaller replica of the image was commissioned that would serve as a pilgrim image that would visit the communities within the vicinity of the shrine.

The Processional image Nuestra Señora
de la Merced de Novalices
History

The history of the devotion to Nuestra Señora de la Merced de Novaliches began with the evangelization efforts of the Augustinian friars where they established the parish under the Nuestra Señora de la Merced on September 24, 1856 with Padre Andres Martin, OSA as its first parish priest. It is said that he brought an image of Our Lady of Mercy holding the Child Jesus and have it enthroned in this parish. During those times, the devotion to Our Lady of Mercy developed over the years yet during the Philippine Revolution of 1896, the image was vanished and its whereabouts were unknown as of this writing. 

During the Philippine Revolution of 1896, the Parroquia de Novaliches was burned. The Augustinian priests assigned to the parish returned to Spain. The parcel of land where the parish once stood was donated to the Archdiocese of Manila. In 1899, the township of Novaliches was declared under Caloocan. 

For about thirty years, nothing was heard about the Parroquia de Novaliches. In 1928, it was given a new parish priest, Fr. Victor Reymundo. It was during his tenure that a new image of Nuestra Señora de la Merced emerged - the image was that of the Virgin without the Child Jesus. This particular image was commissioned by Macaria Sarmiento-Mendoza which could have been created in early 20th century and was identified to be carved by Graciano Nepomuceno. The image was considered as the "La  Verdadera" image due to the sudden disappearance of the original image, this image became the oldest existing venerated image of Our Lady of Mercy in Novaliches and was then enthroned at the main altar of the church.

The present altar image of Nuestra
Señora de la Merced de Novaliches
During the 1980's, due to the growing number of the faithful that are residing in Novaliches, Msgr. Manuel Sebastian decided for the renovation and expansion of the parish for this purpose. He also thought of commissioning of a bigger image of Nuestra Señora de la Merced whihc was pattered after La Verdadera since La Verdadera was too small for the then renovated parish. The second image would be a de vestir image was carved by Rufino Rivera and was completed in 1985 and was enthroned at the marble altar at the Epistle side of the parish. In the 1990's the image was sacrilegiously toppled by an unknown stranger that the damaged the image that led to its first restoration. The image was once again went on restoration for the purpose of a diocesan pilgrimage which the image would tour around Novaliches to propagate the devotion to Our Lady of Mercy. The second image became the processional image up to this day.

In preparation for the elevation of the church as a diocesan shrine, another major renovations of the church began in 2001 through the initiative of Fr. Miguelito Lagrimas and the concerted efforts of the Novaleños and devotees of Our Lady of Mercy. The Susano family commissioned Wilfredo Layug to make a new altar with a new image of Our Lady of Mercy that is now seen today. The present image is bigger than life size and this time, it deviated to the iconography of La Verdadera and the processional image. The new altar was consecrated on March 4, 2007.

Church Recognition

Due to the enduring devotion to Nuestra Señora de la Merced in Novaliches, Quezon City and historical importance of her sacred place, on September 15, 2008, the parish church was elevated as the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy by Bishop Antonio Tobias. On its first anniversary as a diocesan shrine, the church was presented with an 18-bell carillon, a token of gratitude from the devotees of Our Lady of Mercy. The 18 carillon bells were blessed on September 8, 2009 and installed in the church’s belfry. 

In 2021, the Shrine was granted the privilege of Special Bond of Affinity with the Major Basilica of Sancta Maria Maggiore and the honor of Pontifical Coronation by Pope Francis. The Coronation rites is yet to be set.

The devotion at present

The devotion to Nuestra Señora de la Merced de Novaliches continues to develop up to this day. Her feast day, September 24, is celebrated with much solemnity in Novaliches by her devotees. We see how she became a guide to the tumultous yet progressive history of the district and a solace amidst the busy life in the area. The Virgin of Mercy of Novaliches would always be a loving Mother and Protectress of her chosen abode as it further progressed in the coming years.

Nuestra Señora de la Merced de Novaliches, pray for us!

References:

Novena to Nuestra Señora de la Merced de Novaliches, Diocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Merced, Novaliches, Quezon City, 2016.

Shrine of Our Lady Of Mercy Parish, Retrieved from https://novalichesdiocese.org/parishes/solmp/ on Septmeber 17, 2020.

Tamayo, Jolo, Tale of Three Virgins: The Images of Nuestra Señora de la Merced de Novaliches, 2019, Retrieved from https://artesacraph.wordpress.com/2019/09/28/tale-of-three-virgins-the-images-of-nuestra-senora-de-la-merced-de-novaliches/ on September 17, 2020. 

Special thanks to Prof. Jolo Tamayo of Arte Sacra PH for the valuable information on the history of the three images of Nuestra Señora de la Merced de Novaliches.

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Comments

  1. Cris VacalSeptember 24, 2020 at 8:52 PM

    I'm so happy that you featured Nuestra Señora De La Merced de Novaliches, I am one of her devotees and she always help me whenever I pray for my petitions and say my Thanks to the Lord. Viva La Virgen. Ruega Por Nosotros.

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