The Visit of the 400 Year-old Image of the

Black Nazarene of Quiapo in Bataan

 

 

 

 

 

In line with the season of Lent and to promote the Tandis ng Pagpapakasakit and the Tandis ng Pagpapagaling of the First Synod of Balanga, His Excellency the Most Reverend Socrates B. Villegas, DD; through the kindness and cooperation of Rev. Msgr. Josefino Ramirez VG, the Parish Priest of Quiapo; willed the first Pilgrimage of the 4-Century Image of the Black Nazarene of Quiapo to the Diocese of Balanga.  The Multi-sectoral Committee, headed by Rev. Fr. Milver Cruz, planned and organized this historic visitation.  The Image was officially welcomed at the Holy Family Parish in Balsik, Hermosa last February 22, 2007.  The Image of the Black Nazarene was venerated at the Saint Joseph Cathedral in the City of Balanga from the afternoon of February 22 to noon time of February 23.  It was transferred at the Saint Francis of Assisi Parish in Limay from the afternoon of February 23 to noon time of February 24.  In the two said parishes, there were line-ups of liturgical and devotional activities in honor of the image of the Black Nazarene of Quiapo.  Given with much attention and emphasis was the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Bishop Socrates B. Villegas granted a Plenary Indulgence to those who attended the Farewell Mass with the condition that in addition to the sacrament of the Eucharist, they would also have a confession and would pray for the intentions of the Holy Father.  Moreover, the good Bishop reminded the faithful to keep the fire of devotion to the passion of Christ burning.  According to the Hijos de Nazareno, the official caretaker of the said image, in spite of the very large turnover of people, the whole event was very organized.  According to them, the crowd that welcomed the image was next to that in Quiapo.  The said visit was indeed a grace to Bataeños. Ad majorem Dei Gloriam!

 

Rev. Fr. Milver  Cruz

Chairman of the Visit of the Pilgrim image of Fatima

And the Black Nazarene of Quiapo

The International Pilgrim Image of the Our Lady of Fatima

Visited the Diocese of Balanga

 

 

 

For the third time, the Diocese of Balanga played host to the visitation of the International Pilgrim Image of the Our Lady of Fatima last January 7 to 9, 2007.  The image was originally scheduled to visit Sri Lanka but due to civil unrests, the visit was cancelled.  His Excellency the Most Reverend Socrates B. Villegas DD, invited the Image of the Our lady of Fatima to highlight the teaching and the decree of the first synod of Balanga regarding the promotion of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Rev. Fr. Milver Cruz, together with the members of the Multi-sectoral Committee, organized this third visit of the said Image to Bataan.

 

The said image was welcomed at the Holy Family parish in Balsik, Hermosa.  The image of Our Lady was enthroned at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Balanga City on January 7 and at the Parish of St. John the Baptist in Dinalupihan on January 8 for an overnight stay, respectively.  There were line-up of liturgical and devotional activities for the people to exercise their duties of worship and to renew their devotion to Our Lady which is the aim of the said visitation. The outpouring of people from the welcome ceremony in Balsik, towards the path of the motorcade, to the overnight stay in Balanga and in Dinalupihan showed that the people of Bataan have a very deep love and devotion to Our lady. “Ang Bataan ay buong-buo para kay Maria, ang Puso ni Maria ay buong-buo para sa Bataan”.  Ad Jesum per Mariam!