By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos on Wednesday graced the centennial canonical coronation of the revered image of the Our Lady of Manaoag at Manaoag Church in Pangasinan.
The event marks 100 years of faith and pilgrimage to the image, enshrined at the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag in Pangasinan.
The celebration began with the rededication of the basilica on Tuesday, marking the coronation’s exact anniversary.
This was followed by Wednesday’s grand procession and pontifical Mass at the Minor Basilica, where Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Charles Brown, led the historic coronation rites.
Marcos held the crown and was blessed by Brown before the ceremonial canonical coronation of Our Lady of Manaoag.
To recall, Doña Josefa Edralin Marcos, grandmother of Marcos, led the coronation during the golden canonical celebration in 1975.
On April 21, 1926, the image was canonically crowned by Most. Rev. Guillermo Piani, D.D., apostolic nuncio of Pope Pius XI to the Philippines.
Our Lady of Manaoag is the third Marian image to be canonically crowned in the Philippines after Our Lady of La Naval de Manila in 1907 and Our Lady of Peñafrancia de Naga in 1924.
The image is believed to be miraculous and has been drawing devotees and pilgrims, making Manaoag the most visited faith tourism destination in Pangasinan.
With the theme, “Inán Mariá: Crowned in Grace, Calling Us to Jesus,” the event highlights the image’s role in guiding the faithful toward Christ.
Marcos, in his invocation prayer for the centennial coronation of Our Lady of Manaoag, expressed hope that the celebration would deepen the faith of Filipinos and inspire a renewed commitment to serve others with love and compassion.
He prayed for the grace to emulate the virtues of Our Lady of Manaoag and to find her “a beacon of light in moments of trial,” saying her example strengthens the faithful and nurtures hope as they continue their journey in faith.
“We honor our Lady, Inán Mariá, our Mother crowned in glory, who always leads us closer to You. Her unwavering faith encourages us to trust Your Divine Providence and Her profound humility calls us to walk the path of holiness in the footsteps of Your Only Begotten son and Her Beloved Son, Jesus our Savior,” he said.
Marcos also offered his praise and thanksgiving as Catholics marked the 100th anniversary of the canonical coronation, describing the Marian image as one canonically crowned a century ago in recognition of her “unwavering maternal care and intercession.”
He said Our Lady of Manaoag, long revered by devotees in Pangasinan and across the country, continues to remind the faithful of “Her steadfast love and protection for all whom She calls and for all who call upon Her.”
“Through the intercession of Our Lady of The Rosary of Manaoag, the beloved protectress and patroness of the province of Pangasinan, may all our lives be filled with Your blessing and may we always glorify You in our words and actions,” Marcos said. (PNA)
