April 2, 2015 (Holy Thursday)
I heard so much about it and finally I got a chance to visit Our Lady of Manaoag.
Our Lady of Manaoag, who is invoked as patroness of the sick, the helpless and the needy,[1] is celebrated on two feast days: the third Wednesday after Easter, and the first Sunday of October (as Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary).
– Source: Wikipedia
The statue of Our Lady of Manaoag is a 17th-century ivory image of the Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus enshrined at the high altar of the Basilica. It was brought to the Philippines from Spain via the Manila galleon from Acapulco, Viceroyalty of New Mexico, in the early 17th century by the priest Juan de San Jacinto.
Documents dating back to 1610 attest that a middle-aged farmer walking home heard a mysterious female voice. He looked around and saw on a cloud-veiled treetop an apparition of the Virgin Mary, holding a rosary in her right hand and the Child Jesus in her left arm, all amidst a heavenly glow. Mary told the farmer where she wanted her church to be built, and a chapel was built on the hilltop site of the apparition, forming the nucleus of the present town.
Our Lady of the Rosary is depicted in other countries with similar attributes, with the accoutrements and style of the vestments varying across cultures. The Manaoag image is distinct from other statues in its sculpture and regalia, particularly its crown.
A pilgrim replica of the image also exists, and is toured around parishes in the Philippines for veneration.
Source: Wikipedia
We stayed inside the church for a while to say our prayers. I feel so good inside. There are lots of devotees and yet the church still remain the cool temperature. It’s different from the other churches I visited. In Manaoag Church, I can stay longer inside and though there are lot of people, it was never crowded.
Then we go out to have some souvenirs and light candles.
My Mother in Law and Sister
With Hubby and MIL
We arrived home around 11pm. It was a long drive and I was so tired and I go directly to our room and sleep.
The next day I woke up with full of energy and feeling refresh. I feel differently… I feel at peace in my heart. I know something miracle happens, I just can’t point it out.
I believe that miracle happens everyday… Let us just keep the Faith!