H.E. Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle and the new Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, Italian Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, crowning the centuries old statue of the Our Lady of the Pillar, patroness of Sta. Cruz Parish (Manila), during the Canonical Coronation Rite last December 7, 2017.
For almost three hundred years, the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Nuestra Señora del Pilar had been venerated in this church in the Parish of Sta. Cruz in Manila. In fact, the parish itself was known as Nuestra Señora del Pilar Parish before its name was changed to Sta. Cruz Parish when the late Jaime Cardinal Sin was archbishop of Manila. The edifice we now call Sta. Cruz Church should be more appropriately called the Church of Nuestra Señora del Pilar being its titular saint.
The original image enshrined in a niche at the right side when facing the sanctuary is believed to have been brought from Zaragoza, Spain, by the Jesuits much earlier than 1743. This is based on some documents that record the existence of an association of Marian devotees called Cofradia de la Nuestra Señora del Pilar already extant in 1743.
On May 11, 2017, His Eminence Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle, the Archbishop of Manila, wrote to the Holy Father Pope Francis making known to the latter the desire of the faithful of this church for the canonical coronation of the ancient image. The Archbishop of Manila and the Rev. Fr. Genaro Diwa personally delivered the letter to the Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation of Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments in Rome.
On June 27, 2017, just a little over a month, Pope Francis approved the request for canonical coronation of image of Nuestra Señora del Pilar. Again, the letter was personally picked up by Cardinal Tagle when he visited Rome. Fr. Diwa said that the Cardinal even kept the document in his personal bag as if he wanted to protect the document himself.
As soon as the document was delivered by Fr. Diwa to Fr. Rudsend Paragas, SSS, the parish priest of Sta. Cruz, the preparations immediately commenced, and the excitement was truly “contagiously electrifying” if I may say so.
The excitement overflowed until the coronation day itself, December 7, 2017, the eve of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. The festivity started with the image of the Blessed Virgin in procession and being led to the church by devotees from Imus, Cavite, dancing the “Karakol,” the Caviteño’s way of giving honor to the Nuestra Señora del Pilar, who is also the patron saint of their diocese.
The church was filled with devotees of the Blessed Mother. The Holy Mass for the canonical coronation was presided by Cardinal Tagle with bishops and priests from different dioceses. The Most Reverend Gabriele Giordano Caccia, the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, was also present in the celebration. Likewise witnessing the event were Ms. Mercedes Arrastia Tuason, the ambassador of the Philippines to the Holy See, and civil leaders of Manila.
Cardinal Tagle shared in his homily that he has been guided by Nuestra Señora del Pilar throughout his life. His parents belong to the Nuestra Señora del Pilar parish in Imus, Cavite, where he was baptized, confirmed, received his first holy communion, and later on ordained as a priest. He was parish priest of Nuestra Señora del Pilar in Imus when his election as bishop was announced, and it was in the same church that he was ordained a Bishop. He said he had the honor to canonically crown in the name of the Holy Father the image of Nuestra Señora del Pilar as bishop of Imus in 2012. And now, the privilege is repeated as he canonically crowned the image of Nuestra Señora del Pilar at Sta. Cruz Parish in Manila.
The beloved Nuestra Señora del Pilar inspired St. James to steadfastly persevere in evangelizing Spain when the Blessed Mother “visited” him at the River Ebro in Zaragoza in Spain. The Philippines is a direct beneficiary of the successful evangelization by St. James. From Spain, Christianity reached the Philippines in 1521. And now, the Parish of Sta. Cruz, under the maternal protection of Nuestra Señora del Pilar, is likewise being sent on a mission to share the Good News of the Eucharistic Lord.
Mr. Dante Chua – a very faithful and active leader of the parish
The Parish of Sta. Cruz is blessed to witness and celebrate this pious practice of Crowing an Image of the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of the Pillar, the patron saint of the parish. We give heartfelt thanks to Pope Francis for granting the petition for the canonical coronation of the statue of our Lady through the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
Mary is honored in several ways by the universal Church; there are solemnities, feast days and other forms of public devotions in her honor. There is also the beloved way of honoring Mary by crowning her. Mary with a crown of flowers is a familiar sight. However, a canonical coronation is a special rite celebrated by a bishop, or a priest designated by him, on a solemnity or feast day of the Blessed Mother or on other festive days.
The placing of a crown on icons of Mary gained popularity in the Christian West in the 16th century. However, there were already artworks depicting Mary as Queen beginning in A.D. 431. In Rome, Pope Clement VIII (1592-1605) began the practice by crowning the image of our Lady in the Basilica of St. Mary Major.
But what is the significance of this crowning ritual?
When we speak of crowning, we must speak about the Queenship of Mary. The Fifth Glorious Mystery, the Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, implies that on reaching heaven, Mary is crowned Queen by her Son, Jesus Christ, who is King of kings. Thus, the root of her queenship is her being Mother of God. Mary’s queenship also derives from God’s plan that she plays “an exceptional role in the work of our eternal salvation (Pope Pius XII, 1954).”
The Philippines is a Marian country, and a clear majority of the Catholic faithful asks for the Blessed Mother’s intercession for a wide array of concerns. In Mary we have a queen of service to God and love for her spiritual children.
Let us put into practice our faith in Mary’s queenship by learning more about her, by honoring and invoking her, and by trusting in her power as our Mother next to her Son. Let us pray fervently for her intercession.
Finally, let me extend my warmest congratulations to Rev. Fr. Rudsend Paragas, SSS, the Sacramentinos of the community of Sta. Cruz, the members of the Parish Pastoral Council and the many Parishioners, Volunteers, Benefactors and Friends of the parish of Sta. Cruz. I wish you all the very best on this important event.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Joseph Matitu, S.S.S.
Provincial