DEVOTEES of Our Lady of Light in Cainta, Rizal, will turn out in droves tomorrow for the Masses and procession, marking the feast day of their patroness Nuestra Señora de la Luz.

Thanks to Avic Alcantara and Mike de los Reyes, the town historian, I knew about this title of the Virgin Mary. It was a surprise that the parish priest, Msgr. Arnel Lagarejos, was the pastor of Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish in Marikina. It seems Msgr. Lagarejos is always assigned to a shrine of the Virgin.

Leading the comite de festejos this year is Avic?s brother Enrico Alcantara, with Jai Meriz (Filipiniana night); Joel Javinar and Toks Usares (Art in the park); Peachy Cubacub (promotions); Boyet Domingo of the worship committee and Mike delos Reyes, historian.

Bishop Gabriel Reyes will officiate in the Concelebrated Mass on Dec. l, 9 a.m. There will be a re-enactment of the Battle of Cainta and the Christianization of the people at 4:30 p.m. Peter Uckung of the National Historical Institute did the script. Procession is at 6 p.m., followed by the lighting of the giant Christmas tree in the churchyard.

History of devotion

The feast of Our Lady of Light has been celebrated in Cainta since 1853?or even earlier?on Dec. 1, after the feast of St. Andrew. The Virgin has a secondary feast observed on Thursday after Pentecost Sunday.

For her primary feast, the novena begins on Nov. 21; while for the secondary feast, the novena begins on Tuesday before Pentecost Sunday.

There are other forms of devotion to Our Lady?the daily prayer to her in the morning and before going to bed, the prayer to the Holy Spirit and to Our Lady and the Siete Sabados or Seven Saturdays preceding her feast day. These can be found in the revised prayerbook, ?Pagdedebosyon at Pagsisiyam sa Kabanal-banalang Ina ng Kaliwanagan: Patrona ng Cainta (1727-2007).?

In Cainta, the Virgin is recognized as the patroness of reconciliation and those seeking conversion. Let us pray to her for those who need to go back to God. The painting of her on the altar was done by Fernando Amorsolo in l950.

In his research, historian Mike de los Reyes learned that the devotion began in Palermo, Italy, when Fr. Giovanni Antonio Genoveci, SJ, took the painting of the Virgin and the Child Jesus to wherever mission he went. The painting was done after a woman was healed of an ailment and Mother Mary asked her in a vision to have her image painted. She was called Maria Madre Santissima de Lume (Mary Most Holy Mother of Light).

Manila Cathedral is 50

In glorious celebration of its 50th year, the Manila Cathedral, also called the Basilica Minore de Inmaculada Concepcion, has a long list of activities prepared by Msgr. Nestor Cerbo, Rector and his committees.

There will be a Triduum of Masses starting Dec. 5, l2:l0 p.m., with the unveiling of the 50th anniversary logo. The second day, Dec. 6, at ll:30 a.m. is the first day of the Pipe Organ Festival Choral Competition, followed by the blessing and launch of the Mini-Museum on the Postwar Manila Cathedral and history of the pipe organ.

The next day, there will be a Holy Mass at l2:l0 p.m., pipe organ festival competition and blessing and launch of the catechetical video and exhibit.

Solemnity mass

The High Mass celebrating the Solemnity of Mary, the Immaculate Conception will be officiated by Cardinal Rosales on Dec. 8, at 5:30 p.m. The newly-restored façade and sanctuary will be blessed. A new painting of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception will be blessed.

Historical plaque markers honoring Spain, USA, Japan and the Philippines that helped in the reconstruction of Postwar Manila Cathedral will also be unveiled and blessed.

Health clinic

The Health Clinic of the Vicariate of Nuestra Señora de Guia at the Remedios Training Center on Madre Ignacia and San Andres Sts., Malate, was blessed by Cardinal Rosales last Nov. 23, after the 9 a.m. Mass. Parish priests belonging to the vicariate concelebrated.

The Holy Name Society in Malate Church marked its 60th year with a Thanksgiving Mass last Sunday at 7 a.m. The president is Ferdie Macato while the souvenir program coordinator is former banker, Art Maldia.

Closing of Lourdes Jubilee year

The celebration of the the l50th anniversary of Our Lady of Lourdes, which had a Jubilee year of pilgrimages and activities since Dec. 8, 2007, will close on Dec. 8, 2008. The National Shrine in Quezon City will hold a High Mass at 6 p.m., followed by a procession, according to Fr. Troy de los Santos, OFMCap.

Plenary indulgences have been granted pilgrims the whole year after visiting Lourdes, France, or shrines under this title in any part of the world.

Healing recollection

Experience the Healing Power of Jesus the Divine Mercy by going to the Advent recollection of Fr. Zenki Manabat on Dec. 6, Saturday, l to 6 p.m., at the Mary Hill School of Theology on Gilmore St. corner E. Rodriguez Ave., QC. Call 092l-790936l.

San Lorenzo Ruiz Mass

The fiesta Mass of San Lorenzo Ruiz celebrated by Capiz Archbishop Gordoncillo last Sept. 28, at St, Patrick Cathedral in New York, will be aired today through The Filipino Channel in North America at 6 a.m. (Hawaii time); 8 a.m. (Pacific time); and ll a.m. (Eastern time).