DEVOTEES can always rise from their struggles because there is no way but up with the grace and guidance of Jesus and Mary, the rector of the Shrine of Our Lady of La Naval said during the enthronement rites of the La Naval image at Santo Domingo Church on Oct. 3.
In his homily, Fr. Roger Quirao, O.P. said that the testimonies of La Naval devotees who had asked for the guidance of the Blessed Virgin Mary in times of hardships proved that the “gifts of grace increase as the struggles increase.”
“Every time we are devastated in life, let us remember that we have nowhere else to go but up because the grace of God will push us to rise again,” Quirao said in a mix of Filipino and English.
“There’s no way but up with Jesus and Mary holding our hands and leading the way.”
The Santo Domingo Church rector also urged devotees to continue seeking refuge in Mary and not be discouraged when prayers are not immediately answered.
“There is so much relief when all our emotions and grievances are surrendered to the feet of Mary. The feeling is so much different when we cry in front of the Blessed Virgin Mary,” he said.
He stressed that Mary, as the Mother of God, is a powerful intercessor to those who seek and pray for her help.
“No woman can love us like Mother Mary does. She is a gift given to those who Jesus loves dearly. And I hope we cherish this love.”
‘An act of veneration’
Despite initial heavy rains, the centuries-old Our Lady of La Naval de Manila image was enthroned at Santo Domingo Church ahead of its feast on Oct. 13.
This year’s feast marks the second year since the dioceses of Cubao and Novaliches declared the second Sunday of October as the Solemnity for Our Lady of La Naval in Quezon City.
For Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, O.P., former three-term UST rector, celebrating this feast is an act of veneration for Mary, which he hopes can be reignited and renewed among the youth.
“Anything that we do in order to remember Mary’s role in our redemption and also in the outpouring of the grace of Jesus through her intercession, I think these acts by themselves bring honor to her,” he told the Varsitarian.
The feast, with the theme “Mary: Advocate of Heavenly Favors,” will be marked by novena prayers and Masses at the Santo Domingo Church from Oct. 4 to 12.
A grand procession will take place on Oct. 13 at 4 p.m., capping off the fiesta.
The La Naval image, which is placed on a boat-shaped carroza during its grand procession, was granted a decree of canonical coronation by Pope Pius X in 1906.
Pope Paul VI formally 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 Santo Domingo Church if the Spanish and Filipino forces emerged victorious. Reya Vincent P. Misa