Nuestra Señora de la Porteria de Daraga- The Lady of Daraga, Albay
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| Nuestra Señora de la Porteria de Daraga |
In the scenic town of Daraga in Albay where tourists can have a beautiful view of the famed Mayon Volcano, there is a this beautiful old Church of significant importance that can also be seen in the area, the Parish of Nuestra Señora de la Porteria - A National Cultural Treasure. In this well preserved centuries old parish that the image of Nuestra Señora de la Porteria is kept and venerated by the people of Daraga for centuries and the Virgin became the refuge of the people of Daraga ever since.
The Image
The Venerated image of Nuestra Señora de la Porteria of Daraga is a de tallado image of the Blessed Virgin Mary standing on a base with her hands on her chest, head looking sweetly downwards and slightly tilted on the right. The Virgin wears an all white robe and mantle with gold painted trimmings on each ends of he dress. The Virgin's image is seen with her diagnostic doce estrellas and wears a long mantle made from different materials and design given by her devotees.
History
The devotion to Nuestra Señora de la Porteriab began when the Blessed Mother appeared to Fray Luis de San Jose, a simple Franciscan lay brother who lived in the 18th century and spend most of his life in the Franciscan convent in the city of Avila, Spain where he worked as a gardener and porter.
In the account, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to him during a flood and saved his life. There upon he had a picture of the Virgin drawn by an artist and put it in the lobby of the convent where he often paid respect to his Lady. Not only did he venerate the picture of the Virgin Mary, but he also spread the devotion to the Immaculate Conception among the simple people who used to flock around the lobby of the convent to venerate her picture.
Now, the lobby of receiving room of the convent is called the Porteria, hence the title of Nuestra Señora de la Porteria. And since Fray Luis had led a saintly life, the Franciscan Friars who built the Daraga church put it in his memory under the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of Nuestra Señora de la Porteria.
The Abode of the Virgin
Daraga was established as a settlement by people relocating from Cagsawa, who feared another eruption of the Mayon Volcano in that region. They requested permission from the Spanish government to establish a new community and church south of Cagsawa. Their request was granted by Governor-General Simon de Salazar through a communication to the Alcade-mayor of the province of Camarines, dated June 12, 1772. The present church of Daraga was built under the Franciscan priests in 1773. Built at the time that Daraga was a visita of Cagsawa, the church was erected atop a hill in barangay Santa Maria overlooking the Mayon Volcano. When the Mayon Volcano erupted on February 1, 1814, the residents of Cagsawa transferred to Daraga after the destruction of their church. It was a common belief, however, that the church of Daraga was built after the eruption of Mayon and that it replaced the church of Cagsawa. The church was consecrated to Our Lady of the Gate in 1854.
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines unveiled the church's historical marker on October 16, 2008. The National Museum of the Philippines listed the church's eastern and western façade, belfry, and baptistry as a National Cultural Treasure in 2007.
The devotion at present
The devotion to Nuestra Señora de la Porteria continuous to flourish up to this day. The feast of the Virgin of the Gate is celebrated every September 8 - The Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and it is celebrated with much solemnity and t caps off with a solemn procession of the Virgin with a beautiful view of Mayon Volcano in sight assuring her Maternal protection.
As Catholics we can point to the gospel stories of the Annunciation, the wedding at Cana, and the cross and demonstrate through a close, faithful readings of these texts that Mary is indeed the ‘way’ to the Way. As we look at her title as the ‘Gate of Heaven’ which is biblically based. This title serves as further clear confirmation of Mary’s significance. Quite literally, Mary is the ‘gate’ through which Christ enters the world. Certainly these characteristics of gates apply to Mary as Catholics understand and venerate her. St. Louis de Montfort describes her as the shortest way to get to Christ: “the sure means and the straight and immaculate way” and again as “the most easy, the most short, and the most perfect means by which to go to Jesus Christ.” Likewise, Pope St. Pius X: “There is no surer or easier way than Mary in uniting all men with Christ.”
Nuestra Señora de la Porteria de Daraga, pray for us!
References:
Barcelona, Mary Anne, Ynang Maria: a celebration of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Philippines. Ed. Consuelo B. Estampa, P.D. Pasig City, Anvil Publishing Inc., 2004.
The Daraga Church, 1773, Our Lady of the Gate Parish, Daraga, Albay, 2001.
Ineterview:
Balisnomo, Romulo Ray
Photos:
Dacquioag, Michael
Special thanks to Mr. Romulo Ray Balisnomo and Mr. Michael Dacquioag for the narrative and photographs of Nuestra Señora de la Porteria de Daraga respectively that are utilized in this blogpost.
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| Nuestra Señora de la Porteria de Daraga |
The Venerated image of Nuestra Señora de la Porteria of Daraga is a de tallado image of the Blessed Virgin Mary standing on a base with her hands on her chest, head looking sweetly downwards and slightly tilted on the right. The Virgin wears an all white robe and mantle with gold painted trimmings on each ends of he dress. The Virgin's image is seen with her diagnostic doce estrellas and wears a long mantle made from different materials and design given by her devotees.
History
The devotion to Nuestra Señora de la Porteriab began when the Blessed Mother appeared to Fray Luis de San Jose, a simple Franciscan lay brother who lived in the 18th century and spend most of his life in the Franciscan convent in the city of Avila, Spain where he worked as a gardener and porter.
In the account, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to him during a flood and saved his life. There upon he had a picture of the Virgin drawn by an artist and put it in the lobby of the convent where he often paid respect to his Lady. Not only did he venerate the picture of the Virgin Mary, but he also spread the devotion to the Immaculate Conception among the simple people who used to flock around the lobby of the convent to venerate her picture.
Now, the lobby of receiving room of the convent is called the Porteria, hence the title of Nuestra Señora de la Porteria. And since Fray Luis had led a saintly life, the Franciscan Friars who built the Daraga church put it in his memory under the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of Nuestra Señora de la Porteria.
The Abode of the Virgin
 |
| Our Lady of the Gate Parish, Daraga, Albay |
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines unveiled the church's historical marker on October 16, 2008. The National Museum of the Philippines listed the church's eastern and western façade, belfry, and baptistry as a National Cultural Treasure in 2007.
 |
| The procession of Nuestra Señora de la Porteria de Daraga |
The devotion to Nuestra Señora de la Porteria continuous to flourish up to this day. The feast of the Virgin of the Gate is celebrated every September 8 - The Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and it is celebrated with much solemnity and t caps off with a solemn procession of the Virgin with a beautiful view of Mayon Volcano in sight assuring her Maternal protection.
As Catholics we can point to the gospel stories of the Annunciation, the wedding at Cana, and the cross and demonstrate through a close, faithful readings of these texts that Mary is indeed the ‘way’ to the Way. As we look at her title as the ‘Gate of Heaven’ which is biblically based. This title serves as further clear confirmation of Mary’s significance. Quite literally, Mary is the ‘gate’ through which Christ enters the world. Certainly these characteristics of gates apply to Mary as Catholics understand and venerate her. St. Louis de Montfort describes her as the shortest way to get to Christ: “the sure means and the straight and immaculate way” and again as “the most easy, the most short, and the most perfect means by which to go to Jesus Christ.” Likewise, Pope St. Pius X: “There is no surer or easier way than Mary in uniting all men with Christ.”
Nuestra Señora de la Porteria de Daraga, pray for us!
References:
Barcelona, Mary Anne, Ynang Maria: a celebration of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Philippines. Ed. Consuelo B. Estampa, P.D. Pasig City, Anvil Publishing Inc., 2004.
The Daraga Church, 1773, Our Lady of the Gate Parish, Daraga, Albay, 2001.
Ineterview:
Balisnomo, Romulo Ray
Photos:
Dacquioag, Michael
Special thanks to Mr. Romulo Ray Balisnomo and Mr. Michael Dacquioag for the narrative and photographs of Nuestra Señora de la Porteria de Daraga respectively that are utilized in this blogpost.
+AM+DG+
+AMPSPC+
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