L-R: Fr. Stephen Besa, OP, Fr. Lovell Javier, OP, Fr. Lawrence Paz, and Fr. Lauro De Dios, OP during the presentation of the image of Our Lady of Aranzazu.
SAN MATEO, RIZAL- Colegio de San Juan de Letran-Manila visited the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Nuestra Senora de Aranzazu to receive a new image of Our Lady of Aranzazu soon to be enthrone inside their school campus.
A concelebrated mass was held today August 6, 9:00 a.m. presided by Rev. Fr. Paul Lovell Javier, OP-Vice rector for Religious Affairs (Letran Manila), together with Rev. Fr. Lauro De Dios, OP-Vice rector for financial affairs (Letran Manila), and our kababayan priest Rev. Fr. John Stephen Besa, OP (Letran-Calamba). Joining the priests are some members of Lay Dominican Fraternity of St. John Lateran. Members of the Association of Our Lady of Aranzazu (Cofradia) and Shrine Ministry were also present in the mass.
Fr. Larry while receiving a statue of St. Vincent Liem Dela Paz.
The parish priest Rev. Fr. Lawrence Paz greeted the Letran pilgrims before the concluding of the mass and he presented the 4 feet image of the Virgin of Aranzazu to the Dominican priests of Letran. The image is a personal donation of Mr. Reynaldo Balcos for the propagation of devotion to the Letran community. Meanwhile, The Letran presented a small resin statue of Saint Vincent Liem Dela Paz as token of gratitude. St. Vincent Liem dela Paz is a notable alumnus Saint of Letran. According to Fr. De Dios, St. Liem was studying in Letran during the time when the Arch-confraternity of Our Lady of Aranzazu still existed and it is believe that St. Liem became a devotee of Our Lady of Aranzazu.
Historical marker of Arch-confraternity of Aranzazu found at the façade of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran-Manila
The Arch-confraternity of Nuestra Senora de Aranzazu was solemnly established in the College of San Juan de Letran on December 16, 1772 by virtue of a pontifical brief issued by Benedict XIV on September 18, 1748. However, the Arch-confraternity died down after the destruction of World War 2. Meanwhile, some devotees of Our Lady of Aranzazu in Letran are starting to revive the Arch-confraternity before the end of this year with the initiative of Fr. Orlando Aceron OP and Fr. Lovell Javier, together with Mr. Jerome Cruz.
Fr. Paul Lovell Javier, OP and Fr. Lauro De Dios, OP together with the members of Shrine Ministry and Association of Our Lady of Aranzazu (Cofradia)
This visit of Dominican priests from Letran-Manila is an indication of a strong union between our parish and the Letran community through the devotion to our dearest patroness Nuestra Senora de Aranzazu. Arriba Letran! Viva la Virgen! (Christian Robles)
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.
