| Our Lady of the Abandoned of Manila | |
|---|---|
 Venerable Image of the Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados de Manila during her grand entrance after the procession on her feast ( May 12, 2014 ) Photo by Kel Daquiaog. | |
| Location | Santa Ana Manila |
| Date | May 12 ( Feastday ) |
| Witness | Padre Vicente Ingles OFM, |
| Shrine | Santa Ana Church |
| Patronage | Abandoned, Insane, Mentally ill, Street children |
| Attributes | The Santo Nino carrying the Cross in his arms, the 2 Niños Inocentes ( Ampon ) at the " Falda " of the Virgen,Geperudeta (hunchback), Baston de Mando, Jewelries as Ex Voto,A Silver lily (Lirio) in one hand, Imperial Crowns (Corona Imperial ) for the Señora and Hijo, and Halo ( Aureola ) |
Our Lady of the Abandoned of Manila
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Known as Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados or in English Our Lady of the Abandoned in Tagalog (Ina ng mga Walang Mag-Ampon) (Feast is Celebrated every May 12).Is a brown Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary venerated for over 3 centuries in the Iglesia Parroquial de Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados (Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned) in the town of Santa Ana, Manila. The Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados de Manila is the First Replica Statue in the Philippines of the Original Desamparados enshrined at the Basilica de la Virgen de los Desamparados in Valencia Spain. She appears with a Silver lily and a Gold and Crystal " Baston de Mando " in one hand and in the other, she carries the Santo Nino (baby Jesus) who bears the cross in his arms. Her posture is characterized by a slight forward tilt,like a hunchback. She is known affectionately by her devotees as " Inang Mapag-Ampon " or " Mama Amparo "
Origin of the Devotion
editLegend tells, on 24 February 1409, a Friday at the beginning of Lent, a priest called Father Joan Gilabert Jofré, was on his way from the convent on Mercy Square to St. Catherine's (Santa Catalina) church in Valencia to deliver a sermon. On the way, on Silverworks Street, (now Martin Mengod Street) he witnessed the lynching of a mentally ill man and intervened to save the man. In response to this event, he preached on the subject of care of the mentally ill and established a hospice for the mentally ill. A manuscript of Manuel Calvo dated 22 December 1848, reads: One day three extraordinarily handsome youths knocked on its door, asking for asylum. They offered to carve the needed statue in payment for shelter. They only asked that appropriate material be provided and that they be left alone and undisturbed in a room to work at ease for three days. The offer was accepted.
During the three days, the youths remained locked in the room. At the end of that time, the brothers went to inquire if they needed anything. The door was locked and no one responded to their requests to open it. Finally, they forced the door open and entered, but there was no sign of the three young men.
Instead, in the center of the room they found a majestic and protective statue of Our Lady that the young men had carved. This extraordinary fact was followed by countless miracles worked on behalf of the Virgen de los Desamparados. In 1885 Our Lady of the Abandoned Ones was proclaimed Patroness of Valencia.
Devotion in the Philippines
editIn 1713, Fr. Vicente Ingles O.F.M. Commissioned a replica of the Original image of the [Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados de Valencia] for the new parish of Santa Ana de Sapa, Outside Intramuros. The first Franciscan mission established outside Intramuros. Then in the year 1717, The Venerable sacred image of Our Lady of the Abandoned arrive in the Philippines to be enshrined in the Church of Santa Ana. On January 23, 1720, Fr.Francisco de la Cuesta, Archbishop of Manila and Governor and Captain General of the Islands, surrendered his Gold and Crystal Baston de Mando, symbol of his authority, to Our Lady of the Abandoned and then Proclaimed the Virgin as " La Gobernadora de la Ciudad de Manila ". It is still held by the image. On September 12, 1720, a new church was constructed wherein the image of Our Lady of the Abandoned is now enshrined. To this day, miracles and special favors are attributed to her unbounded kindness and mercy . The abandoned, the oppressed the mentally ill, draw from her the most inspiring and uplifting consolation.
The Feast of the "Patrona del Arrabal de Santa Ana de Sapa"
editDalaw ni Maria
editThe feast of the Queen of Santa Ana always starts with the yearly " Dalaw ni Maria " to all 18 Barangays of Santa Ana District. A replica of the Virgin stays at each barangay for 1 day.The barangay would decorate and set up a beautiful altar for the replica. candles and fresh flowers surround the pedestal of the virgin. The Holy Mass is said to start the whole night vigil until the virgin leaves their barangay in the afternoon.
Handugan
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This is the floral offering ceremony to Our Lady of the Abandoned of Manila. It usually starts in the afternoon. people all over Santa Ana bring flowers to be offered to Our Lady of the Abandoned. Every year, during May 3, the Statue of Our Lady at the patio of the church is dressed with flowers with a long cape made of flowers and covering its pedestal with fresh flowers from her loving sons and daughters. Marian Hymns has sung by the choirs and dance had been offered to Our Patroness. This tradition started in Valencia, Spain. this is called "L'Ofrena de flors", a traditional Valencian costume. In this event, each of the casals fallers takes an offering of flowers to the Virgin Mary as Our Lady of the Abandoned.This occurs all day during 17–18 March in honor of St Joseph. A statue of the Virgin Mary and its large pedestal are then covered with all flowers.
Misa Cantada
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The "Misa Cantada" is the first novena mass in honor of the patroness.Spanish Hymns dedicated to Our Lady of the Abandoned is sung and the responses are in Latin. The Famous Tiples de Santo Domingo and the Santo Domingo Male Chorale under the baton of Professor Eugene de los Santos has been invited to perform for the Misa Cantada during the previous years.
Novenario
editThe "Novenario" or Novena is a 9 days of prayers and masses in honor of the Our Lady of the Abandoned of Manila. It starts every May 3 until May 11. it usually starts after the " Handugan " at the patio. the Rosary is being recited and the " Salve Virgen Pura " a spanish hymn to Our Lady of the Abandoned is sung every decade of the rosary. after the Rosary the novena prayers proceeds and the Mass
Replica Procession
editMay 11 in Santa Ana is Known for its "Prusisyon ng Barangay" or Procession of Replicas of Our Lady of the Abandoned of Manila the day before the Feast of Nuestra Senora de los Desamparados de Manila. Different Barangays from Santa Ana adorned their own Carozas or Andas with the replica of Our Lady of the Abandoned of Manila on it bedecked with fresh flowers. Different families and devotees too brought out their own Images of the Patroness. some of these families are from Santa Ana and other parts of Metro Manila namely the Familia Aquino, Dela Merced - Sia, Valiente, Escudero, Mendoza - Albaladejo, Panis, Aguja, Damaso, Siscar, Catuira, Tenorio, etc. the Official Replica of Our Lady of the Abandoned of Manila is the last Carroza in the Procession
The Grand Procession
editThe Culminating event of the Fiesta de la Virgen de los Desamparados de Manila is the Grand Procession around the town of Santa Ana. The Venerable Original Image of the Virgen de los Desamparados is brought through out the streets of Santa Ana accompanied by her Husband San Jose ( St Joseph ), The Santo Nino and her Mother and Father (Santa Ana and San Joaquin) and other Saints. After the Grand Procession the Patroness is welcomed at the church by her loving devotees. Constant ringing of bells, Shower of petals, Waving white handkerchiefs and unending voices of Devotees shouting " Viva la Virgen! ", " Viva la Gobernadora de Manila " and " Vixca la Mare de Deu dels Desamparats " greeted Our Lady of the Abandoned of Manila after the long procession. Hymns and Incense are offered before the image is enthroned to her altar again. The " Adios " is sung by Mr. Felipe Escudero Jr T.O.C.
List of the Saints Accompanying the Nuestra Senora de los Desamparados de Manila ( May 12 Grand Procession )
- San Pancracio - Heirs of Praxedes Tupaz T.O.C of Santa Ana Manila
- San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila - Familia Salamat of Hagonoy Bulacan
- Santa Teresa de Avila - Familia Escudero of Santa Ana Manila
- Santa Rosa de Viterbo - Familia Dela Merced - Sia of Santa Ana Manila
- Santa Isabel de Ungria - Familia Dayrit of Imus Cavite
- San Roque de Montpellier - Familia Reyes of Pateros, Metro Manila & Familia Mendoza - Albaladejo
- Santa Catalina de Bologna - Familia Mariquit of Quezon City
- San Pascual Bailon - Familia Dela Merced - Sia of Santa Ana Manila
- San Pedro Bautista - San Pedro Bautista Parish & Familia Virrey of Punta, Santa Ana Manila
- San Pedro de Alcantara - Familia Aquino of Makati City
- San Antonio de Padua - Familia Domingo of Santa Ana Manila
- Santa Clara de Asis - Familia de Villa of Sariaya Quezon
- San Francisco de Asis - Venerable Orden Tercera de San Francisco, Santa Ana Manila
- San Joaquin - Heirs of Dona Concha Rodriguez of Santa Ana Manila
- Santa Ana y La Nina Maria - Heirs of Don Segundo Rodil of Santa Ana Manila
- Santo Nino - Familia Dizon of Makati City
- San Jose - Familia Reyes of Santa Ana Manila
- Nuestra Senora de los Desamparados de Manila - Cofradia de Nuestra Senora de los Desamparados, Santa Ana Manila
The 1991 Canonical Coronation
editBy the virtue granted by the Holy See on December 10, 1990, the Image of Our Lady of the Abandoned of Manila,the First Image under the said title was Canonically Crowned on May 12 1991, by His Eminence Jaime Cardinal Sin and Papal Nuncio to the Philippines His Excellency Gian Vincenzo Moreni. The actual Canonical Coronation rites took place at Santa Ana church during the 8:00 AM Pontifical Mass presided by the Archbishop of Manila, Cardinal Sin. Marian Hymns which used to be sung in Santa Ana Church will be revived for the occasion. A Grand Procession follows after the Pontifical Mass.