Purely Personal Candaba marks Our Lady of Mercy’s feast day By Josephine Darang Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 20:55:00 09/29/2008
MANILA, Philippines—Pampanga Archbishop Paciano Aniceto officiated the Concelebrated Mass to honor Nuestra Señora dela Merced (Our Lady of Mercy) last Sept. 24, 6 p.m. at the Virgin’s Church in Bahay Pare in Candaba, Pampanga.
After the Mass, veneration of the relics of St. Peter Nolasco, founder of the Mercederian order; St. Raymond Nonato, San Serapion known as the ransom of the sick. The relics are bones sent by the Master General of the Mercedarian order in Rome.
The fourth relic is a piece of cloth of Beata Margarita de Maturana sent by the Mercedarian missionaries of Berriz.
Scapular
James Mananghaya, correspondent of The Philippine Star and author of the book “Our Lady of Mercy; Chronicles of Love and Maternal Intercession,” describes how Dr. Jose Alvin Balatbat of Bahay Pare found Our Lady’s image holding a scapular in St. Patrick Cathedral in New York in April, 2002.
Dr. Balatbat’s best friend, Dr. Charles de la Torre who was a resident in California at that time, told the former to go back and look for the Virgin. On his next visit, Dr. Balatbat saw the Virgin of Mercy in a corner of St. Patrick’s. She was holding a scapular which she handed to St. Peter Nolasco on Aug. 2, 1718 and told him that wearing the scapular would protect the Christians from the Moors.
The religious store inside was selling a replica of the scapular at $3 each. Dr. Balatbat bought some and brought them home.
He had the scapular reproduced by the inmates of the women’s correctional in Mandaluyong. Today, many devotees are wearing the scapular and praying the novena every Saturday during the 8 a.m. Mass.
Miracles
Devotion to Our Lady of Mercy has grown. The parish priest, Fr. Stephen Susi, himself experienced the Virgin’s miracle when he was healed of his thyroid problem that was first diagnosed as cancer.
Testimonies of miracles have been reported to the parish and these are being collated. To request for the scapular, text Dr. Balatbat at 0917-5242415.
Nana Cedes
Fr. Boyet Santiago, parish priest of the Most Holy Trinity Parish in Barangay San Nicolas in Bacoor, Cavite, celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Mercy every Sept. 24. Bishop Chito Tagle celebrated Mass on Sept. 24 at 9 a.m. Our Lady of Mercy is also being venerated in Taysan, Batangas.
Our Lady of La Leche
An image of Our Lady of La Leche was enthroned by Msgr. Bobby Canlas at the Shrine of Jesus, the Truth, the Way and the Life near SM Mall of Asia. It was the ninth church where an image of Our Lady of La Leche has been enthroned.
The other churches belonging to the Archdiocese of Manila are Church of the Immaculate Conception in Intramuros; Espiritu Santo Church in Rizal Ave., Sta. Cruz; St. Joseph Pro-Cathedral in Camp Crame, QC; Church of Sta. Clare in P. Burgos, Pasay City; Santuario de San Jose in Greenhills, San Juan; Our Lady of Loreto Church in Sampaloc, Manila; San Roque Church near Boni Ave., Mandaluyong City; and Holy Family Parish on Faraday St., Makati.
The feast day of Our Lady of La Leche, the breastfeeding Blessed Mother, will be celebrated at Harrison Plaza Chapel on Oct. 11, 5:30 p.m. Our Lady of La Leche is the patroness of mothers and mothers-to-be. A special blessing will be given to all mothers as well as to pregnant and childless women.
Thanks to Belen Ticzon Martel, executive vice president of Harrison Plaza Mall, for encouraging the devotion and Msgr. Nick Blanquisco for allowing the image to be enthroned in the chapel.
Copyright 2008 Philippine Daily Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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