THIS YEAR’S feast of the Santisimo Rosario brought back old traditions such as the blessing of roses and besamanto, or the kissing of the image of the Blessed Mother.
Last Sept. 27, a traditional blessing of roses was led by Santisimo Rosario parish priest Fr. Louie Coronel, O.P. after the Mass for the enthronement of the image of the Virgin Mary, ahead of the month of the Holy Rosary.
According to Dominican tradition, roses are blessed and kept in homes for divine protection. Roses symbolize the rosary and its mysteries.
“Ibinibigay ang mga roses na ito sa may sakit o sa bahay and ang main propagator ng Rosary ay mga Dominicans at ‘yong blessing ng roses, ‘yon ang prayer natin, we are praying for divine protection,” Coronel said.
The image of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary was brought from the Santisimo Rosario Parish Church to the Main Building in a procession, as “a sign of handing over Mary to the University.”
The besamanto or the kissing of the image was also held as a way of being closer to Mary, Coronel said.
Coronel however reminded the faithful that ceremonies and decorations were not substitutes to grace from God.
“Kung ‘yong buhay pala natin ay ipauubaya natin sa Diyos, lahat pala ‘yon magiging luwalhati. ‘Yong buhay parang rosaryo, isang bahagi lang ang sorrowful, mas matitinding bahagi ‘yong ibang mga bagay,” he added.
Coronel said the parish was being challenged by secularization and poverty, which distract people from their faith and devotion.
“Nagiging secularized na ‘yong ating pananaw, nawawala na ‘yong focus natin sa Diyos,” he told the Varsitarian.
‘Emulate the Blessed Mother amid differences’
Parishioners were urged to emulate the Blessed Mother’s obedience to God by following the commandment of the Lord to value one another despite differences.
“In other words, by imitating her and giving her not diamonds or gold but our hearts. It is that which Mary desires most of his children that they may be one, that is what Jesus desires of His brothers and sisters,” said Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani during the enthronement Mass.
The other commandment is to pray the Rosary as heard from Our Lady of Fatima, Bacani added.
The enthronement marked the end of the Diamond Jubilee Year and the beginning of the 76th anniversary of the Santísimo Rosario Parish.
In 2017, the Holy See granted a plenary indulgence to pilgrims who took part in the festivities of the Santisimo Rosario Parish’s Diamond Jubilee.
The special grant offered grace and forgiveness to the faithful, which strengthened their faith, Coronel said.
“Ang grace kasi hindi mo puwedeng i-quantify pero you can feel it in your life at saka ‘yong kaniyang pagpapatawad na nakuha natin,” he added.
Novena Masses were set on Sept. 28 to Oct. 6, with fiesta Masses on Oct. 7 led by Caceres Archbishop Rolando Tirona in the morning and Bishop Emeritus Florentino Cinense of Tarlac in the evening.
