“Pagbabago sa sarili. Peace of mind sa buhay. Iyan ang pananampalatay natin, ‘di ba? Ang sagrada na ibinibigay niya sa atin na nagiging tayo’y mapagmahal lalo na sa kapwa.”
More than the parade of images of the Blessed Virgin Mary, clothed in stunning, colorful fabrics and the carozzas, adorned with bright lights and beautiful flowers, there are stories more worth telling about the Grand Marian Procession.
It’s the stories behind each and every face present to witness and to take part in the annual expression of Marian devotion. It’s the story of each and every participant, devotee or not, and how the procession and Our Lady, herself, touched their lives in one little way or another.
Sis. Zeny Nardo of the Ushers Ministry has found peace of mind in her ten years of attending the Grand Marian Procession. Her years of devotion inspired her to live the way Mary lived, to be just as compassionate and loving to others.
“Pagbabago sa sarili. Peace of mind sa buhay. Iyan ang pananampalatay natin, ‘di ba? Ang sagrada na ibinibigay niya sa atin na nagiging tayo’y mapagmahal lalo na sa kapwa.”
At 66 years old, nothing stops Sis. Zeny from joining the procession, just as nothing can stop her faith and reverence to Our Lady. Through her devotion, she prays not only for her family but also for her organization.
“Para din kay Mama Mary, lalo na sa organization namin ng usherettes. Kasi sa pananaw ko, talagang maayos, maraming tao ang nao-organize namin kahit papaano. At saka, sakripisyo rin. Hinihiling namin kay God na maging maayos ang aming mga kalusugan. Wish pa sa mga anak na nasa malalayong lugar. Ipinagdarasal mo rin sila kay Mama Mary.”
Sis. Marlyn Alvero of the Ministry of Lectors has been attending the Grand Marian Procession for five years now, and she affirms how, in that span of time, blessings have been pouring in. One of her biggest blessings, so far, was when her daughter, former PYM Coordinator Bless Alvero, decided to take on the religious life. She is now a Novice at the Religious of the Assumption.
“Dati hindi ko ‘yon matanggap. Hindi ko matanggap na magmamadre siya. Sabi ko nga, “Lola Aranzazu, kung ito ‘yong kaloob mo, tatanggapin ko.” So, as of now, kumbaga, healed na ako. Tanggap ko na at ibinigay ko na kay Lord through Mama Mary, through Lola Aranzazu, ‘yong pagiging madre niya.”
For Sis. Marlyn, a few kilometers walk during the procession is nothing but a simple way to give back to the grace of Our Lady. “Talagang nasa huli si Lola Aranzazu. Hindi basta-basta ang lakad kaya ‘yong tiyaga namin na paghihintay, pilit namin talaga siyang inihahatid. In return, syempre naman, ibinibigay namin sa kanya ‘yong pagpupuri.”
The Association of Our Lady of Aranzazu-Cofradia, the organization that is primarily responsible for the image of Our Lady of Aranzuzu and leads the devotees every year in the parade, was delighted to see the image positioned among those crowned images at the end of the procession. This welcome change is in anticipation of Our Lady of Aranzazu’s Canonical Coronation in May 2017.
“Usually, nasa gitna tayo. Somewhere in number 32 or number 33. This year, nasa 95 tayo kasi nga iyong mga bandang huli, iyan iyong mga koronada. Tayo, sa May pa tayo kokoronahan pero they consider it na kasama na tayo sa mga koronada,” explained Sis. Melissa Monterola of the Association of Our Lady of Aranzazu-Cofradia.
The Marian devotion at the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Nuestra Senora de Aranzazu, indeed, has grown bigger and deeper throughout the years. With the Canonical Creation in 2017, where the Papal Nuncio shall designate a crown to Our Lady of Aranzazu, we are even more encouraged to continue and strengthen our devotion. We are even more inspired to lead our lives just as how Our Lady, our model in faith and compassion, would have wanted us to be.
Glad Alvero
Senior Editor, Website Team - Media Ministry
Glad is a graduate of BA Journalism from the University of the Philippines-Diliman. A photography and documentary enthusiast, she now works as a writer/producer for a television network. She does PR and digital marketing works on the side. She believes using her love for writing to serve the parish is the best way to give back.
