The pilgrimage season has begun in the Philippines with countless people beginning to walk toward the Antipolo Cathedral. Every year on Maundy Thursday, you would see them in the middle of the night heading towards the shrine. This walk culminates with everyone reaching the church by dawn on Good Friday. This has been going on in the country since the 19th century.
Since long ago, the story of the image of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage has amazed many. The statue came from Mexico aboard a galleon ship on March 25, 1626.
Around the year 1630, the people wished to honor the Blessed Mother Mary and have a place to keep the statue so they began to build a church. During construction, something strange happened. The statue would disappear from where they placed it and reappear on top of a Tipolo tree. This happened several times. They took this as a sign from God that the church should be at the site of the tree and proceeded to build in that area instead.
Incidentally, the Tipolo tree is where the name of the city came from “An-Tipolo”.
The image was able to survive 6 perilous sea voyages, as well as foreign invasions, wars, and fires.
National hero Jose Rizal was a devotee to Our Lady of Antipolo from his infancy through his mother’s instruction. They often made a pilgrimage to the church. Rizal also kept an image of the statue along with him on his travels.
Today, thousands continue to participate in this long-standing tradition. Many do this as a thanksgiving for answered prayers or to ask for Our Lady’s intercession for special intentions. Many go to pray there before they travel.
Pilgrimages reach their height during May which is the month dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The practice of asking prayers from Jesus’ mother stems from a humble heart, knowing that she was closest to Him and that her requests never go unanswered. Papyrus dating back to the 3rd century recorded the earliest Christian prayer – the Sub Tuum Praesidium.
Miracles abound when we put our trust in God and ask for the help of His saints to pray with us. He hears the prayers of the just. He is truly merciful.
A severe epidemic of cholera hit the whole country and all the people were alarmed. The townspeople decided to ask the Queen of Heaven to pray for them. They organized a procession and Holy Mass and soon after that, the city was spared! The place where they held this event is now called “Pinagmisahan Hill” (hill where Mass was held).
Let us ask Our Lady to pray for the Philippines – for peace with our neighbors and for good voyages whether near or far.
Blessed Holy Week to all!
