The second Sunday of October will now be a Solemnity for Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of La Naval in Quezon City.
The dioceses of Cubao and Novaliches, in separate decrees, ordered all parishes and chapels to celebrate Masses in honor of Quezon City’s patroness.
The Cubao diocese, which covers the southern part of Quezon City, issued a declaration on Sept. 8 instructing the faithful to “observe all norms and guidelines in the exercise of the devotion” to the La Naval.
“The Solemnity must be observed in all parishes and chapels beginning this year in accord with the declaration of Pope Paul VI and with the liturgical norms of the Church,” the declaration, signed by Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco, stated.
The Diocese of Novaliches, whose jurisdiction includes the northern part of Quezon City, gave similar instructions through a memorandum issued by Fr. Lusil Padilla, director of the Commission on Worship.
“[O]n the 2nd Sunday of October (Oct. 8, 2023), the Solemnity of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary (La Naval de Manila) takes precedence over the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time in all Masses within Quezon City,” the diocese said on Oct. 2.
Pope Paul VI declared La Naval the principal patroness of Quezon City through a decree issued by the Sacred Congregation of the Divine Worship on Aug. 26, 1974.
The La Naval fiesta dates back to 1646, when Spaniards and Filipinos credited their naval victory against the invading Dutch to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
A naval captain pledged to walk barefoot toward Sto. Domingo Church if the Spanish and Filipino forces emerged victorious.
This Sunday’s citywide fiesta, with the theme “Pintakasi ng Sambayanang Kristiyano,” will be marked by eight Masses at Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City, the home of La Naval, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
A grand procession will take place at 4 p.m.
The La Naval image, which will be placed on a boat-shaped carroza, was granted a decree of canonical coronation by Pope Pius X in 1906. Jenna Mariel A. Gonzales
