Image of OL of Prompt Succor, crowned

By Harvey A. Valenzuela

Before the coronation of the new king of the United Kingdom at the Westminster Abbey in London last Saturday, May 6, an image of the Queen and Mother was crowned at the St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Buhi, Camarines Sur.

An Episcopal Coronation took place after the townspeople headed by the Parish Priest, Fr. William M. Parde, Jr. petitioned for the Episcopal Coronation of the miraculous image of Our Lady of Prompt Succor.

The parish church was filled with parishioners, devotees, and pilgrims to witness the historical event.

Prior to the momentous event, novena masses were held at the parish and the “pagsungko” of the image on the ten baranagays and four sitios of the parish. Furthermore, different establishments and educational institutions within the vicariate of St. Francis of Assisi were also visited.

The celebration started with the ground-breaking ceremony for the chapel that will soon rise within the vicinity of the church. The chapel will be dedicated to Our Lady of Prompt Succor. A eucharistic celebration followed, along with the coronation of the miraculous image that was presided over by the Most Rev. Rolando Octavus J. Tria-Tirona, O.C.D., D.D., the Archbishop of Caceres with concelebrating priests from the Archdiocese of Caceres.

Meanwhile, the LGU of Buhi headed by Mayor Rey P. Lacoste announced the passage of a resolution recognizing Our Lady of Prompt Succor as the Queen of Buhi, or Reina del Pueblo Buhi.

The celebration was then concluded with a procession around the poblacion and a fireworks display.

An Episcopal Coronation is made by a local Bishop or Archbishop of the local Diocese or Archdiocese, duly expressed in through a Decree of Coronation issued by the local diocesan Chancery where it recognizes the manifestation of the fervent devotion of the locals to a Marian image under a specific title being venerated.

The image was the second Marian image that received an episcopal coronation next to the image of the Immaculate Conception enshrined at the Pilgrim City of Naga. The image of the venerated Virgin of Peñafrancia  at the Basilica Minore received a pontifical decree of coronation in 13 May 1920.