MORONG, Bataan – The Apostolic Nuncio in the Philippines on Wednesday led in the Eucharistic Celebration that marked the Canonical Coronation of the 411-year-old Image of Our Lady of the Pillar in this mountain town.
Archbishop Gabrielle Giordano Caccia and Bishop Ruperto Santos of the Diocese of Balanga crowned the image of the Blessed Mother that was placed on a special elevated throne in front of the altar.
Rev. Father Mario Margallo, parish priest, and Elizabeth Agustin placed the crown on the image of the Infant Jesus before the crowning of the image of the Virgin Mary.
The apostolic nuncio and the Bataan prelate then incensed the images.
Prior to the Holy Mass and crowning rites, members of the Knights of Columbus carried on their shoulders the image on a wooden platform while six bishops from other provinces, Santos and Caccia followed.
Inside the church, the image was placed on the special throne adorned with white flowers. The beautiful church was filled with devotees, nuns, priests and guests, among them local officials led by Gov. Albert Garcia and Rep. Geraldine Roman.
“Ito ay isang pagkilala ng Santo Papa sa pananampalataya ng parokya, ng diocese dahil sa ipinakita ng mga tao na kung saan sa kabila ng mga pagsubok tulad ng nakaraang digmaan at himagsikan ay naging matibay at matatag ang mga Filipino,” Santos said when asked what the coronation meant for the people of Bataan.
He said that the Holy Father wanted to impart that the coronation is a blessing and that he is praying with the faithful.
“Pope Francis has blessed Bataan with his consent of the canonical coronation of Our Lady of the Pillar,” the Bataan bishop said.
“It is a joy for me to be here and pray with you on the canonical coronation. Working together is important in building a community in which everyone has his own place,” the Apostolic Nuncio said.
Caccia said Pope Francis was sending his blessings. Santos said the Augustinian Recollects who founded the Morong church gave in 1607 the original Image of Our Lady of the Pillar to Kapitan Benito Llenarez who was capitan municipal that time.
The encargadora has entrusted the Image to the Diocese of Balanga composed of parishes from 11 towns and one city in Bataan.
Among the guests in the coronation were some women belonging to the Cofradia del Virgen Milagrosa de Orani. They looked after the upkeep of the Museum of the Virgin Mary in Orani, Bataan.
The Miraculous Virgin of the Holy Rosary was crowned years ahead.
“Narito kami upang sumuporta sa Our Lady of the Pillar,” they said.
