Just in time with the Philippine Independence Day, parishioners of the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu travel to Antipolo for the yearly visit and pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage.
The yearly pilgrimage was in commemoration of the sacred apparition of the image of the Our Lady of Aranzazu on top of a thorn tree in June 11, 1469 in the mountains of Alonia in Oñati, Spain.
Inclement weather was not a hindrance in stopping the parishioners and different parish organizations to push through and join the 12 noon mass celebrated by Rev. Fr. Lopito Hiteroza.
The mass was held at the Antipolo Cathedral which was also the first pilgrimage mass to be presided by Fr. Bembol as the newly installed shrine rector and parish priest of the diocesan shrine.
Through the procession of the image of the Our Lady of Aranzazu, the celebration was officially started with it being carried and swayed towards the altar together with the accompaniment of the “Pamimintuho” and the waving of the handkerchiefs in part of devotion to the Marian image.
“To be salt and light”, was one of the challenges mentioned by Rev. Fr. Lopito Hiteroza during his homily. He encourages each and every one to be a salt that serves and gives flavor to a bland faith and light that aids as a guide to those who are lost. Fr. Bembol also reiterates that one’s mission is to serve and to be a good influence to each neighbor.
With the singing of Salve Regina in honor of the Our Lady of Aranzazu, the Eucharistic celebration was finally concluded followed by the recession of the image again in accordance with the hymn of the “Pamimintuho” and the wavering of the towels by the faithful.
Vibrant roses that where inculcated under the image was then distributed to the parishioners and was displayed for a while for pilgrims to have a chance to take their own photographs with the beautifully dressed image of Our Lady of Aranzazu.
The pilgrimage was attended by a number of pilgrims in the midst of the bad weather serving as proof that nothing is unstoppable with faith. Viva la Virgen!
Mariele Aquino
Junior Writer, Website Team, Media Ministry
Mariele R. Aquino is a member and website writer of the NSDA’s Media and Public Information Ministry, an aspiring future medical specialist and currently a STEM senior high school student in the Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas. Her principle in life is that genuine success is something achieved through a path and battlefield of dodging a thousand bullets without the course of self-centered desires and conducts for temporary existential accomplishment. As a form of simple youthful religious fervor, Mariele used her skills, talent and dedication in writing to serve her Lord but also to grow not only intellectually but more on spiritually.
