Virgen de las Nieves de Misamis Oriental - The Powerful Queen of El Salvador, Misamis Oriental

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Virgen de las Nieves de Misamis Oreintal
The prosperous City of El Salvador in Misamis Oriental is known as the "City of the Saviour" because of the famous Divine Mercy Shrine due to reported unusual phenomenon occurred in the holy site. The city's Patroness, the miraculous Virgen de las Nieves is one of the earliest known patroness of the CIty and numerous miracles were attributed to her intercession.

The image

The image of Virgen de las Nieves of El Salvador, Misamis Oriental is a de vestir image of the Madonna and Child wearing a set of white vestments made from different materials and embroidery designs. The Virgin carries the Child Jesus wearing a set of crowns and wigs.

History

In 1861, the Augustinian Recollect Friars arrived in Hinigdaan (the present El Salvador City) bringing with them images of Virgen de las Nieves, San Roque, and San Jose. Few years later a large wooden church was built, and was dedicated to the Virgen de las Nieves. Since the enthronement of the Virgin in her altar, numerous devotees from different parts of the Province came to pay homage to the Virgin.

Virgen de las Nieves de Misamis Oriental
Miracles

During the Philippine Revolution, the Virgin appeared before the revolutionaries, the revolutionaries saw the Virgin all dressed in white while holding the child Jesus, and a large mass of clouds on her feet. Terrified, the revolutionaries left, leaving the image safe from being destroyed.

Another miracle Attributed to her, is when the image was placed on the convento's window. The friar went to the church to Celebrate mass, leaving the sacristan to guard the image and clean it. While cleaning the image, the sacristan saw Amoreseco on her dress. The Sacristan was speculating that the Virgen leaves her altar to go somewhere else, so he left the image all alone in the window to see if it really leaves. A few hours later, the Sacristan went back and saw that the Virgin 's feet was covered in mud, while the child Jesus' arms were filled with rice grains. The sacristan told the Friar everything he saw, the Friar himself was amazed that the Virgin herself could go visit to different places in order to see her beloved children

Virgen de las Nieves de Misamis Oriental
as Virgen de Alegria for a Salubong
During the Second World War, the Virgin also credited to a miracle that saved the citizens of El Salvador, One morning after the mass, the people noticed a number of ships carrying Japanese soldiers sailed in the coasts of El Salvador to invade the town during the Battle of Mindanao. As their ships got nearer, a mysterious mass of white cloud (appearing like Snow) covered their the visibility- as if it was hiding the place (El Salvador), making it impossible for the Japanese army to land safely in the beach. Thus making them decide in changing course, saving the little town of possible attacks and damages.

 The devotion at present

The feast of Virgen de las Nieves is celebrated every August 5, the Feast of the Dedication of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome and numerous devotees flock her shrine in droves. On her feast day,  the original Image is displayed at the main door, so that devotees could kiss and venerate her. On Easter Season, the image also serves as the Virgen de Alegria of the Salubong Rites and the Child Jesus is kept for the duration of the rites.

We have seen once again how the Blessed Virgin Mary showers her devotees and chosen domain with miracles and graces over the centuries and also played an important role in the history of the city. In these dark times, we should continue to have an ardent devotion to the Mother of our Redeemer for only she will help us in our struggles.

Reference

Aviado, Lutgarda, Madonnas of the Philippines, Manlapaz Press, Quezon City, 1972.

Photos:

Panulaya, Kendrick

Interview:

Panulaya, Kendrick

Special credits to Mr. Gabriel Kenrick Panulaya for providing the references and photographs used in this blogpost. 
+AM+DG+

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