Images in their beautifully decorated carozzas passed between Plaza Roma and Manila Cathedral.
Thousands of Marian devotees flocked to the historic walled city of Manila on Dec. 4, with more than a hundred images of the Blessed Virgin Mary, gracing the streets of Intramuros. The Grand Marian Procession, held every first Sunday of December, has become an annual gathering of Marian followers, paying homage to Our Lady.
This year’s 37th Grand Marian Procession showcased an outstanding display of religious icons, all associated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Images in their beautifully decorated carozzas passed between Plaza Roma and Manila Cathedral. The program started at exactly 4 in the afternoon, with the Philippine Navy Band leading the opening ceremony.
Some of the most anticipated images include the Our Lady of Visitation of Piat (Cagayan Valley), Our Lady of Manaoag (Pangasinan), Our Lady of Peñafrancia (Bicol), Our Lady of La Naval (Manila), and the Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu (Rizal).
The Our Lady of Aranzazu came in at number 95 this year. According to Melissa Monterola, a member of Association of Our Lady of Aranzazu – Cofradia, the statue of Aranzazu was positioned at around 30th in line last year. This year, she was positioned among the images at the parade’s finale to mark her coronation in May 2017.
“We’re going to be crowned in May but they consider it that we already belong among those (images) who have been crowned,” Monterola stated.
Aranzazu, together with her followers, paraded in front of the Plaza Roma at around 8:20 in the evening. Chants of “Viva la Virgen!” and sing-alongs to Knights of San Mateo Drum & Lyre Corps’ tune of “Pamimintuho sa Birhen ng Aranzazu” echoed all over the Plaza. Devotees jubilantly waved their cloths and handkerchiefs in praise of Our Lady of Aranzazu.
The Intramuros Grand Marian Procession was organized by the Intramuros Administration, attached agency of the Department of Tourism and the Cofradia de la Immaculada Concepcion, Incorporated, together with the Armed Forces of the Philippines. This year’s Hermanas Mayores were Nina Vibal Mata and Czarina Ong Camus.
