Devotees parade images of Mary in Intramuros
By Rhaydz Barcia
MANILA --- The 42nd Intramuros Grand Marian Procession witnessed the grandeur of the miraculous images of Our Lady of Salvacion, patroness of Albay, and Our Lady of Peñafrancia, Queen and Patroness of Bicolandia for two consecutive years.
The procession, preceding the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, featured 50 canonically crowned images of the Blessed Virgin Mary from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, brought by pilgrims and clergy to Intramuros, Manila.
The Diocese of Legazpi’s heavenly patroness, Nuestra Señora de Salvación de Joroan in Tiwi, Albay, and Our Lady of Peñafrancia, locally known as “Ina,” were highlighted in the procession. This marked the beginning of a year-long preparation for the centennial celebration of the canonical coronation of the devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia on September 20, 2024.
Accompanied by the image of the Holy Face of her Son, the Divino Rostro, Inâ’s participation was led by pilgrims from Joroan in Tiwi, Albay. They revisited the walled city of Intramuros, bringing with them a replica of the more than 200-year-old miraculous image of Nuestra Señora de Salvación.
Before the grand procession, Nuestra Señora de Salvacion and parishioners visited significant sites, including the Mountain of Salvation Prayer Garden and Hermitage in Montemaria, Batangas. The pilgrimage covered churches in Batangas, Laguna, Antipolo, and Manila from November 29 to December 4.
THE miraculous image of Nuestra Señora de Salvacion from Joroan parish in Tiwi, Albay and a multitude of devotees in Intramuros where the 42nd grand Marian procession was conducted. About 50 images of Virgin Mary from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao were paraded in the Walled City passing through the Manila Cathedral where the Marian event culminated. Rhaydz B. Barcia photo
The historical roots of the devotion to Our Lady of Salvation trace back over two hundred years ago in Buhi, Camarines Sur. The original image of Our Lady de Salvacion, carved from a Calpi tree trunk from the forest of Joroan, signifies a significant connection with two other sacred images in Camarines Sur.
In Intramuros, the grand Marian procession showcased iconic and crowned images of the Virgin Mary, accompanied by festive movement, music, and the distribution of prayer cards. The melodious gozos for Nuestra Señora de Salvación resonated through the city walls, expressing deep love and firm devotion from the Albayanos and devotees.
Fr. Joseph Salando, rector of the Diocesan Shrine and parish priest of Joroan, expressed, “What has transpired during the 42nd Intramuros Grand Marian Procession is a union of faith, belief, culture, and the arts, directed towards a higher purpose—serving God through His faithful community of devotees and believers of Nuestra Señora de Salvación.”
The Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges marching band from Nabua provided the music for the gozos, symbolizing a cultural connection with the origin of the miraculous image.
More than 50 carrozas featuring devotional images of the Blessed Virgin Mary, some dating back to Spanish colonial times, graced the procession. Despite the challenges, the Intramuros Grand Marian Procession, organized by the Cofradia de la Inmaculada Concepcion, resumed after a hiatus since 2020. The event was a commemorative activity for the feast day of the Immaculate Conception on December 8, the patroness of the Philippines. The Cofradia de la Inmaculada Conception Foundation, Inc., in cooperation with the Intramuros Administration and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, participated in a mass presided by His Excellency Most Reverend Dennis C. Villarojo, Bishop of Malolos, at the Manila Cathedral.