History will unfold this week as the Canonical Coronation of the image of Our Lady of Aranzazu takes place. The Coronation will happen this Wednesday, 31st of May 2017.

Before the official program, a primer will be shown through the Shrine’s social media accounts and will be broadcasted on some local radio and TV channels as well. People relevant to Aranzazu will be interviewed and presented in the mini-show to awaken and prepare people’s hearts hours before the main event. The show will run from 6:00am to 8:00am in the morning

The official program will start at 8:30AM, where the blessing of the canonical coronation marker will occur. The coronation marker is the metal plaque which indicates the decree. This should be done in order to memorialize the event. This will be followed by the procession of the image of Our Lady from the Oratory to the Sanctuary. The placing of Aranzazu’s three brooches and the scepter will transpire in this part. The brooches symbolize Our Lady of Aranzazu’s role as mother, queen, and patroness.

Everyone and everything is expected to be in place as the Eucharistic celebration and Canonical Coronation of the image of Our Lady of Aranzazu starts at exactly 9:00AM. The signing of the act of coronation ensues after.

Come 11:00AM, an early lunch is prepared by the parish as the event’s reception succeeds after the Coronation. “Saliw Papuri” will be performed the Drum & Lyre Brass Band Demo during the function proper, followed by the “besomanto” or the giving of apples and stampita. Members of the clergy, invited VIP guests, and government officials are assigned to Patio Isabel y Jardin, just a few minutes away from the Shrine of Our Lady of Aranzazu. Parishioners and some of the clergy will occupy the parochial school’s parish hall. The reception will be open to the public too, as they are designated to the rooms on the first and second floors of NSDAPS.

A procession is set to proceed at 4 in the afternoon, hours after the Canonical Coronation. Members of different organizations and MSKs will lead the dance floor in the after procession “Sayaw Pasasalamat.” After all the festivities and celebration, the newly-crowned Aranzazu will be enthroned back to the altar.

Another Eucharistic celebration will be observed at 6:00pm. Note that dinner or salo-salo sa patio will immediately follow after the mass. All are invited to participate in this historical event of the town and of the parish. (Kristine Tuting)