VIBRANT Iloilo – once dubbed as the Queen City of the South – boasts of its iconic and historic churches.
The one in the district of Jaro remains the center of Marian devotion in the island of Panay.
Commonly known as the Jaro Cathedral, the National Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria (Our Lady of Candles) stands formidable since 1874. Atop the balcony of the cathedral is a stone image of the Virgin Mary.
Every second day of February – the feast of Our Lady of Candles – thousands of pilgrims visit the shrine known for miracles.
One devotee, Angelica Mongan, 68, shared her story on how she believes the Candelaria has gifted her with miracles.
Mongan, a resident of Barangay Nabitasan, La Paz district, started her devotion at a very young age.
She grew up with her grandparents who were then working at the cathedral as makers of the sacramental bread used in Holy Communion.
“Halin gid sang gamay kami sang elementary up to the present na-touch gid ako, nagasalig ako sa iya kay gintudloan kami sang amon kalolohan kag kalolahan. Ang lola kag lolo ko upod ang mother ko daw sila ang naga-dumala sang una sang simbahan sang way pa kami matawo kuno,” she said.
Apparently, Mongan’s belief in God and religiosity was nurtured in the years she spent with her grandparents.
According to Mongan, one of her granted prayers was when all her siblings finished college and got a decent job amid poverty.
There was also a time when Mongan’s faith was put to a test. Her father died exactly on the feast day of the Candelaria. This almost dampened her devotion but she never gave up. Mongan said this even deepened her faith.
Mongan now has her own family. She has developed a more intimate relationship with God with her husband two children beside her.
Mongan said she’s always fervently praying to the Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria for her family’s safety and good health.
“Indi lang ako kag ang akon pamilya magkasakit biskan wala ako kwarta indi lang ako magkasakit,” she added.
Mongan also said that amid all the blessings Candelaria granted her and her family, she will never stop her religious zeal./PN
