Cofradia Installs New Members

SAN MATEO, Rizal – Celebrating its silver anniversary this year, the Cofradia de Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu (formerly known as Association of Our Lady of Aranzazu) installed 3 new members and renewed their pledge to the Patroness of San Mateo, to devout their life in loving and serving the Blessed Virgin of Aranzazu last Friday, August 31 at 6 p.m. during the 1st day Novena.

Rev. Fr. Lopito Hiteroza, Parish Priest and Shrine Rector, initiated the blessing and investiture of the blue scapular of the Cofradia indicating their self-consecration to Our Lady of Aranzazu. In his homily, Fr. Hiteroza emphasized the meaning and importance of the word Cofradia.

The official vicaria image of NSDA. (PHOTO: Arceli Vergara/ Cofradia)

“..Cofradia is a Spanish word, in English ‘confraternity’ or “brotherhood” and in Tagalog “kapatiran”. You are all brothers and sisters through your devotion to the Virgin Mary. Therefore, you should all love one another and sustain the camaraderie.” Fr. Hiteroza said.

The Cofradia de Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu is the primary propagator of Aranzazu devotion and the recamaderos of Aranzazu images in the care of the Shrine-Parish. Their regular monthly meeting is held every First Saturday of each month at Mary’s Upper room.

The new pilgrim (vicaria) image of Our Lady of Aranzazu was also launched to the public during the mass. This image was commissioned by the members of Cofradia sponsored by Mrs. Lilia Santos and family. The image also contains the original body of the coronada image.

HISTORY OF COFRADIA

On 7 February 1993, with the persistent effort of Mr. Reynaldo Balcos and the guidance of Msgr. Arnel Lagarejos, the Cofradia de Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu was established. The Cofradia de Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu advocated and spearheaded the propagation of the devotion to Nuestra Senora de Aranzazu.

Original 1993 officers and members of Cofradia. (PHOTO: Fina Ramos)

The group spearheaded, during the year of its re-establishment, the following activities: a grand procession in honour of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu on her feast day, 9 September 1993; the visit of the Virgin of Aranzazu to the different schools and chapels under the parish before her feast day; the historical visit of Our Lady to the “Little San Mateo” in Sampaloc, Manila on 4 December 1993; the participation of the Virgin in the Intramuros Grand Marian Procession, for the first time, on 4 December 1993; and the commemoration of the apparition of Ntra Sra de Aranzazu on 4 June 1994 (the date of apparition is on 11 June 1469), together with the handling out of prayer cards (estampitas) to the faithful.

The Association of Our Lady of Aranzazu started way back year 2001 under a different name. Its formal foundation was 1 January 2005 with initial twenty-five women coming from the defunct Sons and daughters of Mary, Msgr Mariano Balbago Jr. serves as the Spiritual Director at that time. The Founding officers of the Association were: Aida A. Salvador, Leilanie D. Sanchez, Ria Esquivel-Jacob, and Fermina Apuya.

Last July 17th this year, the group submitted a resolution requesting to restore its original name Cofradia. Fr. Lopito Hiterozza released a decree of its approval regarding the merger of Association and Cofradia and to use the “Cofradia” as its official organization’s name.

This Confraternity aims to formulate and carry out various activities for the patroness of the town of San Mateo, Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu, towards the growth of those who offer their prayers and intentions to her.