MANILA – The Intramuros Grand Marian Procession is an annual event that this year will be celebrated this coming 1st Sunday of December. This will be held at Plaza de Roma on the facade of Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila. The grandest and largest gathering of Marian images, the 40th Grand Marian Procession will be coinciding with the Roman Catholic Church’s observance of the First Sunday of Advent.
Organized by the Confradia de la Inmaculada Conception Foundation in cooperation with the Intramuros Administration and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the three-kilometer procession of more than 100 beautifully and elaborately-adorned carriages bearing the images of the Blessed Virgin Mary with her different titles from different parts of the country will start at 4 in the afternoon from Plaza Roma in front of the Manila Cathedral and will slowly wind its way through the streets of the Walled City.
The well venerated images include among others are Nuestra Senora de Aranzazu de San Mateo; Our Lady of the Visitation of Piat from Cagayan Valley; Our Lady of Guibang in Gamu, Isabela; Our Lady of the Holy Spirit in Guimaras, Iloilo; Nuestra Señora de Salvacion; Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion; Our Lady of Lourdes; Our Lady of Fatima; Our Lady of Buen Suceso; Our Lady of Pillar; Our Lady of the Abandoned; Our Lady of Victories; Our Lady of La Salette from Silang, Cavite; Our Lady of Namacpacan from Luna, La Union; Our Lady of Manaoag from Pangasinan; Our Lady of Divine Shepherdess from Gapan, Nueva Ecija; Our Lady of Soledad of Porta Vaga, patroness of Cavite; Our Lady of Peñafrancia, patroness of Bicol; Nuestra Señora de Dolores de Turumba from Pakil, Laguna; 0ur Lady of La Naval; Our Lady of Guadalupe; Our Lady of the Rosary from Rosario, Cavite; Virgen Milagrosa del Santissimo Rosario from Orani, Bataan; Virgen La Divina Pastora from Gapan, Nueva, Ecija; and several other highly revered Marian images accompanied by a contingent of Marian devotees from each town.
The Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Aranzazu are encouraging the community and every parishoners to participate on the said procession. The Parish Pastoral Council wants every one to experience this special event and be one of NSDA delegates. For the potential delegates and registrants, a package includes a bus ride to Intramuros, a processional T-shirt and handkerchief, which costs PhP600.00.
Held every first Sunday of December, hundreds of Marian devotees are expected to join the festive event, which is traditionally preceded by triduum masses and a First Holy Communion mass. Viva La Virgen!
