For the second year in a row, the image of La Naval de Manila will be brought outside the patio of the Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City for the solemn “dungaw” to mark the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary on Sunday, Oct. 10.
Marian devotees will be allowed to venerate the image at a distance after the 3 p.m. fiesta Mass to be led by Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco. Only 10 percent of the church’s seating capacity will be allowed, exclusively for fully vaccinated individuals.
The grand procession, which is usually joined by thousands of devotees, was canceled anew due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
On Sept. 30, the image of Our Lady of La Naval was placed on its boat-shaped carroza instead of her baldacchino throne to symbolize Mary’s courage.
“Maria: Huwarang Saksi sa Limandaang Taong Pananampalatayang Kristiyano” is the theme of this year’s festivities.
“Dungaw” was first practiced during the 18th century, when the image was exhibited outside the old church in Intramuros to bless the galleons docked near the banks of the Pasig River before their voyage to Mexico. It was also done in 1863 after the great earthquake in Manila.
The La Naval feast commemorates the naval victory of the Spanish and Filipino forces against Dutch invaders on Oct. 8, 1646.
