The church of San Mateo was first established in 1596 under the patronage of St. Matthew Evangelist. The devotion to Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu, on the other hand, was first introduced to San Mateo, Rizal by the Jesuit Father Juan de Echazabal in 1706 with the encouragement of the Viscayans, especially General Don Juan Antonio Cortez. Because of the miraculous intercession and maternal affection of the Virgin, the devotion and adoration to the Virgin steadily increased and the people of San Mateo built a spacious church for Our Lady. They then changed its patron saint from Saint Matthew to Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu. She was proclaimed as the Patroness of the town of San Mateo in 1716.
The Original image of Aranzazu enthroned at the Aranzazu Basilica in Spain. ©www.xavierhs.org
The devotees of the blessed Virgin of Aranzazu made extraordinary demonstrations of joy and devotion in celebrating her feast; and great was the satisfaction of those who with their contributions had aided [to provide] the costly building and adorn it with ornaments and rich furnishings of silver-especially the illustrious benefactor of that church and village, General Don Juan Antonio Cortes…”
(A brief write-up on the establishment of the NSDA Parish at San Mateo, written by Murillo Velarde, abt. 1749)
The pre-war Retablo Mayor of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu Parish church. ©Historic San Mateo
The devotion to Our Lady of Aranzazu is also popular in Manila, in Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Intramuros to be exact. It served as the seat of the Archconfraternity of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu. Unfortunately, after the destruction caused by World War II, the devotion and the Papal recognized group Archconfraternity died down.
An estampita of the original image of Nuestra Senora de Aranzazu de Letran. ©Davy Chioa
The Parishioners of San Mateo, Rizal led by the Association of Our Lady of Aranzazu (known as Cofradia de Ntra Sra de Aranzazu) maintains their constant affiliation to Letran through the annual visitation of Our Lady of Aranzazu de San Mateo to their institution three days before her annual participation at the Grand Marian Procession in Intramuros.
The annual visit of Our Lady of Aranzazu in Colegio de San Juan de Letran is a commemoration of the glorious devotion of the Manileños and the Letranista to the Virgen de Aranzazu. Welcome songs and dances are being offered to pay homage to the Virgin annually.
The present church, Altar, image and devotion to the Mother and Queen of San Mateo
The Devotion
The Parish of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu was elevated to Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu on July 16, 2004 by His Excellency Most Rev. Gabriel V. Reyes D.D., as a sign of increasing numbers of devotees and pilgrims.
The present church, Altar, image and devotion to the Mother and Queen of San Mateo
The feast day of Our Lady of Aranzazu is celebrated every 9th of September where the Kakanin Festiva; or Parada ng Kakanin is held in honor of the town’s patroness, Our Lady of Aranzazu. Thousands of parishioners and pilgrims from the neighbouring towns and provinces flocks at the church to pay homage to the miraculous Virgin.
The present church, Altar, image and devotion to the Mother and Queen of San Mateo
Miracles
Our Lady of Aranzazu is known as the patroness and protectress against the calamities of nature, body, and soul (Patrona laban sa kalamidad ng kalikasan, katawan at kaluluwa/ La Patrona contra las calamidades). This attribute was given after the reported miracles and testimonies made by some residents of San Mateo during typhoons and floods. Her image is taken outside the church and is displayed to face different directions: North, South, East, West. Miraculously, the floods subside.
She is also invoked to cure various illnesses, including fertility. Around 5,000 letters of testimonies and thanksgiving were submitted in the parish to testify to her miracles and to give thanks to the Lord through the intercession of the Virgin of Aranzazu.
Iconography
The image depicts the 1469 apparition in the Basque region of Spain as she stands on top of the thorn tree, with a small quadrilateral bell hanging on it. The image includes the statue of the young shepherd Rodrigo de Balzetegui, together with his sheep. She is holding a sceptre and an apple on her right hand, symbolizing that “Mary as the New eve” (La Nueva Eva).
She is wearing a crown and twelve stars on her head with a media luna or half-moon below her. It indicates the description of Mary in the book of Revelation 12: “And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars.”
Episcopal Coronation
Because of the love and devotion of the people of San Mateo to their town’s patron and protectress, Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu, the Episcopal Coronation was granted. This is in response to the petition made by the community through the Parish Pastoral Council and the Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Lawrence C. Paz on November 9, 2013. The sceptre and the sash were offered by the Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines Hon. Jejomar C. Binay, while the coronation was officiated by Bishop Fracisco De Leon, D.D.
The Episcopal Coronation is the recognition by the local bishop given to the manifestation of a fervent devotion of the faithful to the Blessed mother. The decree was promulgated on 17 August 2013 by His Excellency Most Rev. Gabriel V. Reyes D.D, Bishop of the Diocese of Antipolo.
The Aranzazu Devotion
A perpetual novena in honor of Our Lady of Aranzazu is held from first to ninth day of each month. A healing mass and procession is held on the 9th day.
The Association of Our Lady of Aranzazu-Cofradia, the primary group in-charge of the propagation of devotion to Our Lady of Aranzazu, regularly distributing blessed apples for the sick after the Beso Manto (Kissing of the mantle/ veil).
Christian Jasper Robles
Senior Writer, Website Team - Media Ministry
Christian is a graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Communication at Colegio de San Juan de Letran. He is a member of the writer’s team of Aranzazu Media and Public Information Ministry. A singer, performer, writer, church servant, and a Marian devotee. Currently, he is the secretary of Association of Our Lady of Aranzazu- Cofradia and member of Avant-Garde Singers. Passionate about writing different local religious traditions and Mariology matters; Christian is strongly dedicated in promoting and propagating the devotion to Our Lady of Aranzazu.
