Our Lady of Consolation declared patroness of Intramuros | ABS-CBN

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Our Lady of Consolation declared patroness of Intramuros

Our Lady of Consolation declared patroness of Intramuros

Jeffrey Hernaez,

ABS-CBN News

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MANILA – The Manila government has declared the image of Nuestra Señora de la Consolación y Correa or Our Lady of Consolation of San Agustin Church as the Patroness of Intramuros.


This follows a resolution passed by the city council, which highlighted the importance of recognizing the image as a significant part of the church's and city's history.




According to the city council, the veneration of the Virgin began in the 17th century under the auspices of the friars of the Order of St. Augustine and spread to various parts of the country.


The council also noted that the image should be recognized as the Patroness of Intramuros due to its role as a witness to the rich history of the Walled City.


It is the only remaining image from the original seven churches within Intramuros, after other religious congregations relocated during the war.


“As a result, the image of Nuestra Senora de la Consolacion y Correa has become the only Marian image that has been popularly and continuously venerated within the Walled City of Manila (Intramuros) for almost 400 years”, the council stated in the resolution.


In addition to declaring the image as the Patroness of Intramuros, it was also given the title "Queen and Protectress of the Distinguished and Ever Loyal City."


“Nais lang natin suportahan yung adhikain na iyon na ma-declare ang Nuestra Señora de la Consolación y Correa na maging. Patrones ng ever loyal city ng siyudad ng Maynila. Iyon ang suporta ng 12th City Council para sa simbahan natin,” said Manila Vice Mayor Yul Servo.



ORIGINS OF THE OUR LADY



According to Clifford Chua, President Emeritus of the Parish Pastoral Council of San Agustin Church, the Augustinian friars brought the image to the Philippines in the 17th century.


“Among all the different religious orders who evangelized in the Philippines, ang pinakauna ay Augustinians. Of course, kapag sila ay nag-evangelize, automatic na iyan, kasama ang kanilang debosyon  and their devotion is to Our Lady of Consolation,” he said.


The devotion to the image is being revived, as it diminished during the war.


“During World War 2, all churches, all residences were bombed except San Agustin, because ang mga nagtatago dito ay mga Amerikano. Sino ang nagbomba ng Intramuros, Amerikano rin,” said Chua.


“Pre-war, malakas ang debosyon, after war, lahat ng mga residente, lahat ng mga simbahan nasira… Nawala ang mga deboto dito, nawala ang debosyon,” he added.



FIRST EVER INTRAMUROS FIESTA



The church also declared the second Sunday of September each year as the feast day of Nuestra Señora de la Consolación y Correa.


This is in accordance with a decree issued by Father Provincial Reverend Fr. Dante Morabe Bendoy, OSA, with the consent of the Provincial Council of the Augustinian Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus of the Philippines, during a Provincial Council meeting held on October 7, 2023.


“Malaking bagay iyan dahil ang Maynila ang sentro ng kultura at kasaysayan at ang Intramuros po ay napakalaking bahagi ng kasaysayan ng lungsod ng Maynila so karapat dapat lamang po na mayroon po tayong ipinagdiriwang na kapistahan lalong lalo na po patungkol sa ating Mahal na Birhen,” said Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna. 


“Ang San Agustin Church ay kasama lagi sa mga tourist destination hindi lamang po ng mga local tourists kundi ng mga foreign tourists din po,” the mayor added.


The church also reminded everyone to value daily life, just as the Blessed Virgin Mary cared for Jesus Christ from His youth.


“Dito natin makikita ang kahalagahan ng buhay na kung saan ang buhay ay biyaya ng Diyos, kaloob ng Diyos at ang buhay bilang biyaya ay pananagutan na kung saan dapat nating huwag sayangin, huwag aksayahin, bagkus ating pagyamanin at maging masagana at mabunga,” said Antipolo Bishop Fr. Ruperto Santos.


“Dahil dito, bilang regalo sa kanya, ipangako natin na ang buhay natin ay ating iingatan at aalagaan at ang regalo sa atin na kabuhayan at mahal sa buhay ay atin ding itataguyod, pagyayamanin,” the bishop added.




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