Things you’ll learn if you watch the musical play “Aranzazu: 300 Taon ng Debosyon at Kasaysayan”

The production of Aranzazu: 300 Taon ng Debosyon at Kasaysayan successfully tapped the emotions of the viewers and introduced the origin of Aranzazu which is their main goal in producing the play.

Aside from the values and virtues taught by the musical play, you’ll be able to know more about who Aranzazu is and about our beloved town – San Mateo.

Here are the things that you will learn from the play in which some were never given emphasis in our church’s history.

Photo courtesy of Fr. Larry’s Facebook Account

1. Juan de Echazabal and Fr. Juan Confalonier portrayed important roles in our devotion to Our Lady of Aranzazu.

In the year 1705, Fr. Juan de Echazabal brought the devotion to Our Lady of Aranzazu here in San Mateo and he thought of building a church made of rock and it was blessed on 1716.

On the other hand, Fr. Juan Confalonier was the parish priest when the name patron saint of the church was changed from San Mateo to Aranzazu.

2. Ignatius of Loyala had a connection to Our Lady of Aranzazu.

In late February of 1522, St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of Jesuits congregation visited the shrine of Our Lady of Aranzazu in the province of Guipuzcoa, Spain while on his way to Montserrat.

The biographers of St. Ignatius supposed that it was in this shrine of the Virgin of Aranzazu where he made his vow of chastity inasmuch as he acknowledged in later years that he made the vow during his journey from Loyola to Montserrat, and the shrine would have been a suitable place for such a vow.

Moreover, St. Ignatius must have experienced something very profound during his night vigil to the Virgin of Aranzazu, for more than thirty years later, in a letter to St. Francis Borgia dated August 20, 1554, he expressed his very clear recollection of that night and the spiritual grace he received in the shrine.

3. Aranzazu is our Patroness against calamities, sickness, and typhoons.
   

   Photo courtesy of Fr. Larry’s Facebook Account

Our Lady of Aranzazu is considered as our patroness against calamities of nature, distress of the body and soul. This originated when Rodrigo found Our Lady of Aranzazu in Spain, a place that experienced severe drought. Different testimonies and miracles experienced by the devotees of Aranzazu were also shown in the play. Through their faith to our patroness, someone was healed. Truly, Our Lady of Aranzazu guides and protects every citizen of San Mateo.

4. Licerio Geronimo is a hero of San Mateo.

He led the revolution of KKK in San Mateo. He was appointed by General Antonio Luna as the commanding general of the third military zone of Manila, and it was in this capacity that he served in the Battle of San Mateo.

5. San Mateo is the only town in Rizal province that was named after a saint.

Angono, Baras, Binangonan, Cainta, Cardona, Jala-Jala, Morong, Pililla, Rodriguez, San Mateo, Tanay, Taytay, and Teresa: These are the towns in Rizal Province. But did you ever wonder why San Mateo is only town in Rizal that was named after a saint?

According to a legend, our town is named after St. Matthew because when the missionaries were here, one of their companions was standing and holding a pen (pluma) and they teased him saying that he looked like San Mateo in that position.

Another reason, according to the history is that our town looks almost the same with the town in Spain that is also named San Mateo.

San Mateo, the only town in the Rizal Province named after a saint, was founded by the Augustinians in 1572. The friars had a thriving brick industry there at that time and that why the play described the town of San Mateo as “Bayan ng Mabato.”

This has been a talk of the town and the good news is, you still have the chance to catch the play and relate to everyone about this. Starting on January 13, 2017, they will be having more shows at Parish Hall. Stay tuned!