MANILA, Philippines – Numerous pilgrims and devotees from San Mateo and other nearby towns followed the image of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu, despite of the long hours of wait inside the Historic walled City of Intramuros, Manila on Sunday.
More than a 100 images of the Blessed Virgin Mary, coming from different parts of the country were paraded around the streets of Intramuros to celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception, the patroness of the Philippines.
Our Lady’s dancers composed of different parish organizations and MSKs.
Devotees patiently awaited the carozza of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu to move, since it is situated at number 97. It was almost 8 p.m., when the delegation started its way towards the Manila Cathedral. Fr. Marc Anthony Ramos, Parish priest of Binangonan and Fr. John Stephen Besa O.P., of Letran led the parishioners of San Mateo.
Spectators and Marian devotees all the way from different provinces also joined the delegation of San Mateo this year. Unending chants of Viva la Virgen! and Pamimintuho melody echoed throughout the streets of Intramuros that night. The Rizal Provincial Band provided the music of Pamimintuho.
The delegation is also known for the lively waving of pañuelitos and handing out of kakanin. The Cofradia de Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu also distributed estampitas or prayer cards of the Virgin.
The Virgin of San Mateo facing the facade of Letran where the Virgen de Aranzazu de Letran was enthroned.
Colegio de San Juan de Letran bids farewell to the Virgin of Aranzazu when they displayed their very own Virgen de Aranzazu de Letran in their facade’s main gate. The Virgin of San Mateo was incensed and blessed by the Dominican fathers as concluding rites.
The image of Our Lady of Aranzazu arrived home safely in San Mateo around 10 in the evening. The whole country once again witnessed the love and devotion of the people of San Mateo and devotees of Our Lady of Aranzazu for this year’s Intramuros Grand Marian Procession.
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.
