From the six images that initially made up the first Marian procession of the Cofradia de la Inmaculada Concepcion in December, 1980, the procession has grown through the years.
The annual procession on Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. around Intramuros will have 90 carrozas carrying the various images of the Virgin Mary under her different titles.
Don Ado Escudero, chair of the comite de festejos, said the first procession tried to revive the traditions handed down by the Spaniards in Intramuros, especially the procession in honor of the Inmaculada Concepcion.
Jaime Laya, then administrator of the Intramuros Administration (IA), suggested the participation of the military in the religious procession in keeping with tradition. The Cofradia sought the help of Helen Espino, wife of Gen. Romeo Espino, chief of staff at that time of the AFP. Since then, the AFP military brass bands have been participating.
This year, the procession will again be assisted by the Intramuros Administration, now headed by Jose Capistrano. Marian devotees around the country are expected to bring their own venerated images, such as Our Lady of Piat (Piat, Cagayan Valley), the Namacpacan (Luna, La Union), Ina Poong Bato (Botolan, Zambalez), the Manaoag (Pangasinan), Soledad de Porta Vaga (Cavite City), Nuestra Señora de Dolores de Turumba (Pakil, Laguna), La Salette (Silang, Cavite), Our Lady of the Holy Spirit (Guimaras, Iloilo); Mary Mediatrix of All Grace (Lipa, Batangas); and the Caysasay (Taal, Batangas).
Triduum of Masses
The Cofradia de la Inmaculada Concepcion Foundation will hold a Triduum of Masses on Nov. 30-Dec. 2 at 11:30 a.m. The First Holy Communion of 500 students of Baseco Elementary School will be held on Dec. 3 at 10 a.m.
Mass celebrant will be Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani.
Prior to the grand Marian procession at 4 p.m. on Dec. 4, there will be the Hermanas Mayores Mass at 2 p.m. to be officiated by Manila Auxiliary Bishop Bernardino Cortez.
This year’s hermanas are Lory Yulo, Cor Yulo Ebdalin and Baby Javelosa.
Cofradia officers are Imelda Cojuangco, founding chair; Danny Dolor, vice chair; and Aurora Eizmendi, president. Fiesta committee is composed of Escudero, Allan Tengco, Clifford Chua, Deiy Arionday and Jun Pablo.
Miracle
The 6th Pipe Organ Festival of the Manila Cathedral-Immaculate Conception Minor Bacilica will be on Nov. 29 at 7 p.m.
Msgr. Nestor Cerbo, rector of the cathedral, recalls that during the first concert in 2006, which was supposed to be the inaugural concert of the newly restored cathedral organ, Typhoon “Reming” was about to hit Metro Manila and could severely damage the expensive copper roof of the cathedral which had already been damaged by Typhoon “Milenyo” and left unrepaired yet.
Msgr. Cerbo prayed hard to Our Lady for the typhoon to change direction. His prayer was answered.
The Nov. 29 event will feature singers Jose Mari Chan and Myramae Meneses; professor Armando Salarza (pipe organ); Louie Angelo Oca (pipe organ); Sylvester Aviñante (trumpet); Mark Francis Almeria (trumpet); Lester Deo Timpani (timpani); Jan Christian Gutierrez (violin); Jhames Labrador (violin); and Vincent de la Cruz (contrabass). Conductor is Ferdinand Bautista. For tickets, call 5271796/3093 or text 0917-4009131 or 0908-4356587.
‘Beato’ exhibit
The San Beda Alabang Museum is exhibiting until Dec. “Beato: An Exhibit on the Relics and Memorabilia of the Blessed John Paull II.”
The exhbit is on the occasion of the school’s fourth anniversary. The opening last Nov. 11 was graced by Parañaque Bishop Jesse Mercado.
Some of the relics on exhibit are a small piece of zuchetto (skullcap) worn by Pope John Paul II when he was assassinated in 1981, a piece of linen from his deathbed, and the blood believed to have been gathered and kept from the failed assassination attempt. Curator is professor Joseph Renta. Admission is free.
San Beda College Alabang is on Don Manolo Avenue, Alabang Hills Village, Muntinlupa City. Call 8423511 local 235 or text 0928-5079500.
Prayer to Mother Theresia Bonzel
Prayers for the intercession of Venerable Mother Maria Theresia Bonzel are available through devotee Edgar Lozano. Text 0918-6390174 and give your address. Lozano will mail the prayer card to you.
Venerable Mother Theresia’s intercession is believed to have caused the miraculous healing of 6-year-old Luke Burgie from Colorado, US.
She is the founder of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration who have a convent and school in Baybay, Leyte.
Venerable Francesco Marcucci
Today is the birthday of Venerable Francesco Antonio Marcucci, founder of the Pious Workers of the Immaculate Conception, whose nuns run a parochial school in Calaca, Batangas and have a convent in Blue Ridge, QC. For info and prayer cards, text Sister Adele at 0920-4300078.
St. Nicholas of Bari feast day
St. Vincent de Paul Parish (San Marcelino church) will celebrate the feast day of St. Nicholas of Bari on Dec. 6 with Novena Masses on Nov. 28-Dec. 6 at 8 a.m.
Fr. Rene Ruelos, CM, former parish priest, said that the saint helped him raise money to restore the stained glass windows of the church and fix the roof. St. Nicholas has helped him, so Fr. Rene says Mass every Monday at 8 a.m. in thanksgiving.
St. Nicholas became “Santa Claus” in English speaking countries due to the wrong pronunciation of “St. Nicholas” to “Sinter Claes.” Gifts are given to children on Dec. 6, his feast day.
Sorrowful mysteries for Togo, Africa
Let us pray the Sorrowful Mysteries for Togo, Africa for the following intentions: that fledgling democratic institutions will grow more confident; that the painful past of unrest and human rights abuses not be repeated; that government intensify efforts to end exploitation of children; that debt relief will free resources for fighting poverty; and for the blessing of good weather to ensure good harvests.
Today is also the feast day of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Mama Mary, pray for us so that we can be united and reconciled and let go of hatred and vindictiveness in Jesus’ name. Amen!
