Mahal na Patrona: Sign of True Hope

The Archdiocese of Davao joyfully welcomed the arrival of the Original Image of the Our Lady of the Assumption hailing from the National Shrine of the Our Lady of the Assumption, from Tunga-tunga, Maasin City, Southern Leyte.

In the morning of February 17, the Marian Image arrived at San Pedro Cathedral and was placed at the right side of the sanctuary alongside a box to contain the petition prayers of devotees and lay faithful.

On February 20, the fourth day of the visit to the Archdiocese, various devotees and churchgoers went to venerate the image of the Our Lady of the Assumption. At 12 noon, a Holy Mass was presided over by Rev. Fr. Vincent Salang, Rector of the National Shrine of the Our Lady of the Assumption.

Fr. Vincent expressed that the visit of the”Mahal na Patrona” was done to spread the devotion towards the Blessed Mother and to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the proclamation of the Dogma of the Our Lady of the Assumption that explains how Mary was being assumed into heaven both in flesh and spirit.

He also explained that unlike other visitations which brings official replicas or pilgrim images, they are bringing the original and canonically crowned image of the Our Lady of the Assumption from the National Shrine to the different cathedrals in the Philippines which are the center of faith in each local church.

In his homily, he shared three points to ponder in the devotion to the Our Lady of the Assumption. First, the Image of the Blessed Mother looks up to heaven that shows that we must always look forward to eternal life in heaven. Second, the Marian Image itself is miraculous wherein many devotees shared many wonders and saving stories with the Blessed Mother’s intercession. Third, our Lady is the sign of true hope, where in line with this jubilee year’s theme, she is the symbol of true hope to God’s people.

The image of Our Lady of the Assumption stayed at San Pedro Cathedral from February 17-20 and was brought to the Diocese of Tabum on the 21st. (Allyza Hope Tabigue)