The image of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu on her majestic Episcopal Coronation regalia. Photo: Dan Raphael Cruz / DC Photography
SAN MATEO, RIZAL- Aranzazu devotees flock in the 4th Episcopal Coronation anniversary yesterday. The occasion was held in conjunction with the 9th day monthly devotion; Pamimintuho sa Birhen ng Aranzazu where the novena, healing mass, procession, and distribution of apples took place at the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Aranzazu.
Devotees participated in the procession amidst heavy rain. Photo: Anne Javier
DSPNSDA Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Lawrence Paz presided the Healing mass in the evening. Instead of anointing the Holy oil, Fr. Larry conducted an exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Amidst heavy rain, devotees accompanied the image of Our Lady of Aranzazu for a short procession within the vicinity of the parish.
Episcopal Coronation is the recognition by the local bishop given to the manifestation of the faithful to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Fr. Lawrence Paz together with the Association of Our Lady of Aranzazu (Cofradia) filed the humble petition of Episcopal Coronation. His Excellency Bishop Gabriel V. Reyes DD., Bishop of the Diocese of Antipolo, granted the petition on August 17, 2013.
It was in November 9, 2013 when Bishop Francisco De Leon DD., crowned the image of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu. The event was attended by then Vice President Jejomar Binay, local government officials, clergies, and numerous parishioners and devotees from the different parts of the country.
The decree authorizing the Episcopal coronation of the image of Our Lady of Aranzazu.
Miracle on the day of Episcopal Coronation
At that time, Super typhoon Yolanda was recorded as extremely powerful and deadliest typhoon that hit and destructed the Visayas region. San Mateo, our town was under Public Storm Warning Signal number 2. Miraculously, no rain poured on the day of the coronation. That only proved that the Virgin of Aranzazu, the beloved patroness of San Mateo, is continuously guiding and protecting her people as the Patroness against the calamities of nature, body and soul.
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.
