THE ROSARY remains a powerful source of hope and prayer amid poverty, injustice, broken families and personal struggles, Santo Domingo Church rector Fr. Winston Cabading, O.P. told devotees at the enthronement Mass of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of La Naval de Manila on Thursday, Oct. 1.
Cabading urged the faithful to turn to the Blessed Mother for help and comfort in times of adversity, as Filipinos had done throughout history.
“The enemy of our time is sin, division, selfishness and despair. We face the violence of poverty, the cruelty of injustice, the wounds of broken families and the loneliness of isolation, leading to despair and hopelessness,” Cabading said.
“We battle anxiety, fear and doubt within ourselves. And where do we turn? To whom do we go? We turn to our Mother,” he added.
Cabading cited the victories of Lepanto and La Naval de Manila as historical examples of the Church’s belief in the power of praying the Rosary through the intercession of Mary.
“The Rosary is not a magic charm, it is a school of contemplation. As we meditate on the mysteries of the life of Christ, we open our hearts to the grace of the Prince of Peace and Mary, our Mother, warms us into the healing of her Son,” he said.
Cabading called on the faithful to surrender their burdens and look to the Blessed Mother.
“Let us run to her, look up [at] the face of this image. *Pagmasdang maigi. Ano ang ating nasisilayan? The face of a most loving mother,” he said, assuring devotees that La Naval de Manila would always listen to them.
(Let us run to her, look up at the face of this image. Look closely. What do we see? The face of a most loving mother.)
The enthronement Mass marked the beginning of the 2026 La Naval festivities.
The 10-day observance consists of daily novena prayers, Masses, and recitations of the Holy Rosary offered to the Blessed Virgin Mary at Santo Domingo Church.
Every Saturday in October, a besamanto, or “kissing of the mantle,” will be held after the novena Masses.
On Sunday, Oct. 11, the feast of La Naval, Manila Archbishop Jose Advincula will preside over the High Mass at 2:30 p.m., followed by the Grand Procession at 4 p.m.
