Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines tells Bicolanos and pilgrims: “Stay close to Mary”

By Natalie Hazel P. Quimlat, MD

NAGA CITY- Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles John Brown led the solemn eucharistic celebration in honor of the Centenary of the Canonical Coronation of the image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia last September 20 at the Quadricentennial Arch of the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral St. John the Evangelist Parish. During the solemn occasion, Brown also led the rite of coronation of the said image.  

Humility & Exaltation: 2 Themes in the Life of Mary

In his message, Brown placed much emphasis on the humility of Mary, which he said, attracted the attention of God. “[Mary] wasn’t in any way extraordinary in the eyes of the world. But her heart was pure. Her heart was filled with the love of God. And, God chose Mary.”

Brown also said that in choosing Mary, one can see that “God’s gaze is directed to those who are humble, [to] those who are on the peripheries of our world”, such as Mary who simply “came from the province”.

Brown also spoke of Mary’s humility being expressed in her recognition of the truth. The dialogue between the Angel Gabriel and Mary beautifully highlights the latter’s truthfulness to who she really is. And ultimately, according to Brown, Mary’s complete act of humility is witnessed as she said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to Thy Word.”

Because of Mary’s humility, Brown said, God glorified her in heaven by crowning her.

Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles John Brown led the celebration in honor of the Centenary of the Canonical Coronation of the image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia last September 20 at the Quadricentennial Arch of the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral St. John the Evangelist Parish. During the solemn occasion, the Papal Nuncio also led the rite of coronation of the said image. (Photo by Jerwin Dumalasa)

Let us always choose Mary

The Papal Ambassador to the Philippines closed his message by calling on everyone to be children of Mary. “We need to resist the pride of the Devil,” Brown exhorted. “Let us [always] choose to be devotees of Our Lady. Let us be under Her mantle, fighting against the influence of the Devil in our world today.”

Speaking of the Throwaway Culture that Pope Francis preaches to reject, Brown further called on everyone: “We need to be part of the culture of life, and Mary is that life. She gives us that life in Jesus. She gives us Jesus, who is our way, our truth and our life; who leads us to the House of the Father; who leads all of us to the exaltation of Heaven.”

Se Siempre La Reina

Themed Se Siempre La Reina Pamanang Banal: Atamanon, Padanayon, Palakupon, the Centenary Celebration of the Canonical Coronation of the image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, lovingly called Ina (mother), features not only the love of the Bicolanos for Ina but also their steadfast and eternal devotion to her. It was on September 20, 1924 that then Apostolic Delegate to the Philippines Archbishop Guglielmo Piani crowned the miraculous image of Ina at the Plaza del Seminario de Nueva Caceres. During this time, Caceres was the governing Diocese of the entire Bicol region. 

Preparations for the Centenary celebration began under the leadership of Caceres Archbishop-Emeritus Tria Tirona and was brought to its completion by his successor, the newly appointed Caceres Archbishop Alarcon. Together with Brown, Tria Tirona and Alarcon, the aforementioned solemn eucharistic celebration was also concelebrated by the Bicol Bishops: Legazpi Bishop Joel Baylon, Libmanan Bishop Jose Rojas, Sorsogon Bishop-Emeritus Arturo Bastes, Sorsogon Bishop Alan Dialogo, and Virac Bishop-Emeritus Manolo de los Santos. Other guests include Apostolic Nuncio to Israel and Apostolic Delegate to Jerusalem and Palestine Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, Daet Administrator Fr. Roland Anthony Timoner, and Catholic Bishops Conference to the Philippines (CBCP) Secretary General Msgr. Bernie Pantin. Also present were The Most Rev. David Ricken, of the Diocese of Greenbay, Wisconsin, USA; Rev. Fr Vjekoslav  Holik of the Apostolic Nunciature, Rev. Fr. Alexander John Sherbrooke  of the Diocese of London, Rev. Deacon Peter Gard of the Diocese of Greenbay.

Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles John Brown imposes the pallium upon Caceres Archbishop Rex Andrew Alarcon. “To the glory of God and the praise of the Blessed Virgin and apostles Peter & Paul, in the name of Pope Francis, Bishop of Rome, and of the holy Church...we confer on you the pallium, to wear within the limits of your ecclesiastical province, “ the papal nuncio said. The Eucharistic Celebration and the Imposition of the Pallium upon the Most Rev. Rex Andrew C. Alarcon, Metropolitan Archbishop of Caceres by the Most Rev. Charles J. Brown, D.D., Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines was held on the 21st of September 2024, at 7:30 in the morning at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist, Pilgrim City of Naga. (Photo credit: Veritas 846)