Our Lady of the Rosary, La Naval de Manila

The Feast which we celebrate this day is a synopsis of the wonder which touches the lives of each of us. For the rosary reminds us of the dignity, the blessings and goodness which are ours as we joyfully recount those events which remind us of the overwhelming love of God for us. We recount those events which sorrowfully remind us of the cost to God's Son in order to show graphically and tangibly the cost of that Love which brought salvation to each of us. We gloriously recount those events which remind us that "eye has not seen, nor ear has heard" of the wonders which are ours because of our fidelity to the Good News.

Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, pray for us!

- From a homily by Fr Christopher Johnson, O.P.

The centuries-old image of Our Lady of La Naval, the patroness of Quezon City, is the center of devotion among Filipino Catholics.

This year is the 428th anniversary of the victory of the Filipino and Spanish naval forces over the superior Dutch invaders in Manila bay. The Filipino and Spanish forces attributed their victory to the miraculous statue of Sto. Rosario which was washed on the shore of Manila Bay in the 1630s.

The ivory statue is four-foot and eight-inch high, in royal clothes and bearing crown of jewels and tiara of 24 stars. The Virgin is carrying the Holy Child.

Although the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is on Oct. 7, La Naval is celebrated on the second Sunday of October, which falls on Oct. 10.

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