Thousands of devotees flock to the Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City to attend the Mass and grand procession marking the Solemnity of Our Lady of the Rosary La Naval de Manila on Sunday, Oct. 13. (Photo by Chloe Elysse B. Ibañez/ The Varsitarian)

AMID struggles and hardships in life, the faithful should seek refuge and trust in the Blessed Virgin Mary, Cubao Bishop Emeritus Honesto Ongtioco told devotees during the Mass commemorating the Solemnity of Our Lady of La Naval. 

This year’s La Naval feast centered on Mary as the intercessor between the faithful and God’s blessings and graces, which Ongtioco underscored in his homily. 

“We are all going through a lot of hardships in life…But let us seek refuge with Mary,” the prelate said in Filipino. “Be like Mary in prayer. Trust that she will never abandon us.”

Ongtioco also urged thousands of La Naval devotees to rediscover prayer through the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

“Prayer is more than asking for blessings. That is what Mary is teaching us. Prayer is also having a deep connection with God.”

“Remember, we have a mother who guides, intercedes, and brings us closer to her son Jesus,” he added.

Culminating the feast was a grand procession of the image of Our Lady of La Naval on a boat-shaped carozza accompanied by 20 other Dominican Saints. 

Some 200,000 devotees attended the Misa Mayor, and more than 100,000 joined the procession, according to the Quezon City Police Department.

The feast of La Naval, held every second Sunday of October, is also celebrated as a solemnity by the dioceses of Cubao and Novaliches, the highest rank of feast celebrated in the Catholic Church.

It has been celebrated annually since 1646 after Filipino and Spanish defenders repelled attacks by the Dutch, with a naval captain praying for the intercession of the Virgin Mary to defeat the invaders.

This year also marked the 51st anniversary since Pope St. Paul VI issued on Aug. 26, 1974, a decree declaring Our Lady of La Naval as patroness of Quezon City. Reya Vincent P. Misa and Vince Alfred M. Pillagara

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