CANDABA, Pampanga — “The first thing we realize about Mary is that she is very attentive, always aware, always noticing others’ needs. She is the mother of mercy, always attentive to the voice of her children.”
Thus, said Archbishop Charles Brown, apostolic nuncio to the Philippines, in his homily during the solemn spiritual twinning of Nuestra Señora de la Merced Parish in Barangay Bahay Pare here and the Basilica de la Mercè in Barcelona, Spain on April 28.
Brown noted that authentic devotion to the Virgin Mary must inspire mercy and service, not empty ritual, amid growing digital distraction.
“We spend a lot of our time focusing on something about six inches from our nose, our cellphones. We’re not aware, attentive to what might be going on around us,” he said.
To De la Merced priest Fr. John Paul Cabrera, the twinning represents a living spiritual bond, linking shared grace with a renewed mission of service. “This is not just a title. It also includes a mission.”
Church tradition holds that the devotion to Our Lady of Mercy (Virgen de la Merced) originated in Spain when the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Peter Nolasco, King James I, and St. Raymond of Peñafort in 1218, requesting the creation of an order dedicated to ransoming captives. Hence, Virgen de la Merced is also known as Our Lady of Ransom. The Order of Our Lady of Mercy (Mercedarians) was officially established on Aug. 10, 1218, in the Cathedral of Santa Eulalia in Barcelona.
The Nuestra Señora de la Merced image reached Pampanga in the 18th century through missionary efforts, where local devotion grew through reported miracles and healings.
Earlier in the day, a reception at the municipal hall was held for the papal nuncio. “Isang makabuluhan at mapagpalang araw ang pagdating ng ating minamahal na Arsobispo Charles John Brown para isagawa ang pormal na pahayag ng espirituwal na ugnayan ng parokya ng Nuestra Señora de la Merced, Bahay Pare at Basilika ng La Mercè, Barcelona,” said acting Mayor Thelma Macapagal in her welcome remarks.
“Ang inyong pagdalo ay isang biyaya at malinaw na tanda ng malasakit ng Santo Papa sa amin. Sa inyong paglilingkod sa Simbahan sa iba’t ibang panig ng mundo, at ngayon sa inyong misyon dito sa amin, isinasabuhay ninyo ang pangako na itaguyod ang pananampalataya, diyalogo, at kapayapaan,” she said. Photos: VM Thelma Macapagal FB page
