Mahal Na Birhen

8/13/2019 Mahal Na Birhen

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ANG MAHAL NA BIRHEN

Mary in Philippine Life Today

A Pastoral Letter on the Blessed Virgin Mary

Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines

Introd!ction

To the people of God in the Philippines" especially the clergy" religio!s #en

and $o#en" and #e#%ers of #andated organi&ations

'early Belo(ed

)* The !na(oida%le concl!sion of anyone conte#plating the religio!s

practices of the Philippines is that $e +ilipinos are indeed a religio!s people*

The tho!sands of ch!rches and chapels all o(er the Islands" fro# the Batanes

in the North to ,olo in the -o!th" testify that Christianity has %eco#e a tr!e

part of Philippine life* .e consider o!rsel(es the Christian co!ntry of Asia*

/* .hen one tries to deter#ine the characteristic of o!r Christian faith" one

finds that o!r practice of religion has ta0en on a pop!lar color and has a

special sense of de(otion that #a0es it spefically +ilipino* He finds that

certain traits of Philippine Christianity transcend the %o!ndaries of

Catholicis# and are fo!nd $ith e1!al pro#inence in other gro!ps of +ilipino

Christians and in other Philippine Christian Ch!rches* The de(otion that the

+ilipino people sho$ for the principal #ysteries of o!r Rede#ption co#es

fro# the (ery life of o!r #en" $o#en and children in the for# of a deep andpersonal faith* The cele%ration" for instance" of Christ#as $ith its cheerf!l

and colorf!l religio!s and fa#ily c!sto#s" on the one hand" and the #o!rnf!l

%!t no less colorf!l cele%ration of Holy .ee0 on the other" center the

Christian life of the a(erage +ilipino on the Incarnation and Passion of 2!r

Lord*


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3* No less pro#inent is another trait connected $ith the t$o #ysteries 4!st

#entioned 55 the special place the Mother of Christ has in the life of the

+ilipino people* It is to this de(otion to the Blessed Mother that $e $o!ld li0e

to dedicate o!r Pastoral Letter* The spirit of refor# and rene$al" or to !se the

catch$ord 6aggiorna#ento"6 #ade fa#o!s %y the late Pope ,ohn 77III" $hich

%egan at the end of the -econd Vatican Co!ncil has led !s to direct o!rattention to this aspect of the religio!s life of o!r people* This de(otion to the

Blessed Mother sho!ld %e reflected !pon and e8a#ined so that golden #ean

#ay %e 0ept %et$een these for#s of de(otion that reflect 6the di(ersity of

nati(e characteristics and te#pera#ent a#ong the faithf!l"6) and the

principle stated %y the Co!ncil itself 6that tr!e de(otion consists neither in

fr!itless and passing e#otion" nor in a certain (ain cred!lity* Rather" it

proceeds fro# tr!e faith" %y $hich $e are led to 0no$ the e8cellence of the

Mother of God" are #o(ed to a filial lo(e to$ard o!r #other and to the

i#itation of her (irt!es*6 /

9* .e had %een considering the idea of addressing to yo! a pastoral letter on

rene$al of de(otion to the Blessed Virgin Mary 55 6rene$al6 in all its facets is

also one of the p!rposes of the Holy year 55 $hen $e recei(ed the Apostolic

E8hortation of o!r Holy +ather Pa!l VI Marialis C!lt!s $hich he has dedicated

to this (ery the#e* .e feel" therefore" do!%ly 4!stified in addressing

o!rsel(es to yo! no$* This offers an opport!nity to e8a#ine one i#portant

aspect of o!r religio!s life at a ti#e $hen there are e8cesses in %oth

directions" cred!lity and !n%elief" and not a fe$ of o!r faithf!l are loo0ing for

appropriate g!idelines in the #atter of de(otion to Mary*

:* .e %egin this Letter $ith a description of the (eneration of Mary in the

Philippines* There $ill follo$ a doctrinal reflection on the %asis of the

de(otion to Mary and finally $e $ill #a0e concrete pastoral applications to

the religio!s life of o!r faithf!l*

I* +ACT- RELATE' T2 THE VENERATI2N 2+ THE BLE--E' VIRGIN MAR;

IN THE PHILIPPINE-


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to open the Catholic 'irectory of the Philippines to reali&e that a (ery large

n!#%er of parishes are dedicated to the Mother of God !nder one of her

#any in(ocations* +o!r h!ndred si8ty5three" or o(er one5fo!rth of all

parishes" ha(e the Virgin Mary as their tit!lar patron $itho!t co!nting

inn!#era%le %arrio chapels" religio!s oratories or pri(ate shrines dedicated to

her*3

Vario!s In(ocations and Titles

=* 2(er )>> of the parishes honor the I##ac!late Conception" o(er are

dedicated to 2!r Lady of the Holy Rosary" $hile others carry (ario!s titles li0e

the Ass!#ption" 2!r Lady of Car#el" Mother of Perpet!al Help" 2!r Lady of

Lo!rdes" etc*9

-o#e of the shrines dedicated to Mary ha(e $on nation5$ide pop!larity

either as focal points of national pilgri#ages or as $ell50no$n centers of

de(otion* To #ention 4!st a fe$ a#ong the %etter50no$n" $e find 2!r Lady of

Charity and 2!r Lady of Badoc in Ilocos" 2!r Lady of Piat in Cagayan Valley"

2!r Lady of Manaoag in Pangasinan" 2!r Lady of -ala#%ao in 2%ando"

B!lacan" 2!r Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo" Ri&al" the

P!rification of 2!r Lady ?or La Candelaria @ in Ma%itac" Lag!na" 2!r Lady of

Caysasay in Taal" Batangas" 2!r Lady of Peafrancia in Naga City" N!estra

-eora Virgen de Regla in Lap!lap! City" 2!r Lady of the Pillar in a#%oanga"

etc*

* This $idespread de(otion to the Blessed Mother goes %ac0 to the origins

of Christianity in the Philippines* As early as ):=) $e find ancient stat!es of

Mary" li0e N!estra -eora de G!ia" no$ (enerated in the Er#ita Ch!rch and

$hose origins are so#eho$ lost in the fol0loric details of legend" and 2!r

Lady of the Rosary in Manila $hose origin dates %ac0 to ):=*:

D* A#ong the titles !nder $hich Mary is (enerated in the Philippines" t$o are

partic!larly pro#inent the I##ac!late Conception and 2!r Lady of the

Rosary* The in(ocation of the I##ac!late Conception goes %ac0 to the year

):= $hen Pope Gregory 7III in a B!ll iss!ed on +e%r!ary < decreed that the

Manila Cathedral sho!ld %e erected !nder the in(ocation of the Conception

of the Blessed Virgin Mary*< Cle#ent VIII decreed on )3 A!g!st ):D: that the


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Cathedrals of N!e(a -ego(ia and Caceres also %e erected !nder the sa#e

title of the I##ac!late Conception* Moreo(er" one of the three ships that

reached the Philippines in the first (oyage of Magallanes in ):/) $as the

6Concepcion"6 na#ed after the I##ac!late Conception" together $ith the

ships 6Trinidad6 and 6Victoria*6 Hence the Islands %efore %eing na#ed

+ilipinas" and e(en %efore the na#e of Christ had %eg!n to %e preached" sa$on these shores the na#e of Mary !nder her title of the I##ac!late

Conception*

)>* The (eneration to 2!r Lady !nder the title of the Rosary goes %ac0 to

):= $hen her stat!e $as %ro!ght to the Philippines* A confraternity $as

esta%lished in ):* N!estra -eora de la Na(al occ!pies a place of honor

a#ong the national shrines dedicated to Mary in the Philippines*= The

Blessed Mother $as referred to as the -enora Grande de +ilipinas on acco!nt

of the #any fa(ors attri%!ted to her* The recitation of the Rosary %eca#e apop!lar practice $hich has #ore than one analogy $ith the pop!larity that

the no(ena to 2!r Lady of Perpet!al Help en4oys today*

Vario!s Practices of 'e(otion

))* As other e8a#ples of paralit!rgical de(otions in her honor" $e #ay

#ention no(enas to the Blessed Mother as preparation for the patronal

feast*D These incl!de the special $ee0ly no(ena to 2!r Lady of Perpet!al

Help" no$ (ery pop!lar in the Philippines*

)/* The Bloc0 Rosary is practised in so#e parts of the Archipelago* It offers

a good e8a#ple of a de(otion that is connected $ith the (isit of i#ages or

stat!es of Mary fro# ho!se to ho!se and fro# one fa#ily to another" $here

special (eneration is gi(en to Mary d!ring the ter# of the i#ages stay*

)3* A fa#iliar sight in #any ho#es" e(en of #odest inco#e" is $hat can %e

called the 6fa#ily altar *6 In #ost fa#ilies the i#age (enerated is the i#age

of the Virgin Mary !nder one of her fa#iliar in(ocations* This fact" #ore than

any other" constit!tes a proof of ho$ deeply rooted the (eneration to Mary is

in the socio5religio!s str!ct!re of the +ilipino Christian fa#ily*


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)9* The (ario!s #anifestations of pop!lar piety to$ards the Mother of God

appear not only in the n!#%er of ch!rches" chapels" or shrines consecrated

to her" %!t in #any other for#s" ranging fro# the lit!rgical cele%ration of her

feasts thro!gho!t the year to religio!s calendars $ith the holy pict!re of Mary

55 not al$ays of the #ost artistic nat!re" it #!st %e ac0no$ledged 55 in the

#ost h!#%le nipa h!ts or in the sl!#s of the cities" to her pict!re in p!%lic(ehicles" %!ses or 4eepneys* Grottoes dedicated to the I##ac!late

Conception !nder the in(ocation of Lo!rdes are fo!nd in pri(ate gardens or in

(ario!s p!%lic places" along the roads or in corners of #odest d$ellings*)>

):* The endless sy#phony of Marian na#es in the %aptis#al records of o!r

parishes constit!tes %y itself a tri%!te to the de(otion of o!r people to the

Mother of God* It #ay %e safely said that of the na#es of saintly $o#en

i#posed in Baptis#" none is #ore fre1!ently fo!nd than the na#e of Mary

either e8pressly or in one of her #any titles*))

The Lit!rgical ;ear

)


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It is a $ell50no$n fact that the #ost i#portant religio!s occasion of the year

for the +ilipino" $ith the possi%le e8ception of the religio!s cele%ration of the

to$n fiesta" is Christ#as* Christ#as offers a special opport!nity for the

people to sho$ their (eneration to Mary not only $ill the %elen feat!re the

6Mahal na Birhen"6 %!t in other dra#atic presentations" li0e the posada" or

pan!n!l!yan ?6%egging for shelter6@ $hich persists in #any co##!nities"Mary place an i#portant role*)3

Christ#as caroling co!ld also %e con(eniently related to and considered as a

co##e#oration of the search of Mary and ,oseph for a place to spend the

night* This feat!re sho!ld %e %ro!ght o!t #ore clearly in order to gi(e this

c!sto# a tr!ly religio!s #eaning*)9

The re5enacting of the Nati(ity of 2!r Lord" $ith the part that Mary had in it"

is done dra#atically" $ith a deep sense of si#ple faith and identification $ith

%oth the Infant ,es!s and Mother Mary*

)* '!ring the Lenten season" especially d!ring Holy .ee0 " Mary plays an

i#portant part in the pop!lar de(otion of o!r faithf!l* Good +riday has a deep

h!#an appeal for #any +ilipinos especially $ith its .ay of the Cross and

co##e#oration of the s!fferings of 2!r Lady of -orro$s* Easter -!nday

%rings the deeply h!#an and dra#atic enco!nter of the Mother $ith her risen

-on in the -al!%ong" $hich is artistically enacted in #any places all o(er the

Island*): A pop!lar feat!re of the Holy .ee0 is the Pa%asa ng Pasiyon*

Altho!gh there are (ersions in al#ost e(ery #a4or lang!age of the

Philippines" the %est 0no$n Tagalog Pasiyon)


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Mother are presented together the feast of Christ#as and the cele%ration of

Holy .ee0" partic!larly the -al!%ong* If one co#pares the t$o feasts" as

locally cele%rated" he $ill o%ser(e that in the traditional cele%ration of

Christ#as" it is the +a#ily $hich is the center of interest fro# the ti#e of the

Misa de Ag!inaldo on$ard* In the Easter cele%ration" the fol0 practices

center on the re!nion of Christ and His Mother" $hile all $ho participate feelthe 4oy of this #eeting (icario!sly* Both of these feasts" therefore" feat!re a

fa#ily re!nion" and are for this reason e8tre#ely rich e8periences for the

+ilipino*

Pop!lar Cele%rations

/>* In May the classical +lores de Mayo are held in #any localities" to$ns" or

%arrios" parishes or pri(ate chapels and in(ol(e not only $o#en and children

%!t in so#e places the $hole fa#ily* They are cele%rated $ith a splendor and

si#plicity of faith and de(otion $hich echoes the si#plicity of the Gospels*)D

Then follo$s 2cto%er $ith the Rosary de(otions" a practice $idespread since

ti#e i##e#orial" d!e #ainly to the &eal of the -ons of -t* 'o#inic" and the

historical procession of La Na(al*

The I##ac!late Conception " $hose feast falls on 'ece#%er " re#ains the

principal Patroness of the Philippine Islands* After the s!ppression of se(eral

Ch!rch holydays in the Catholic Calendar of the Philippines" still her feast

stays as one of the three holydays of o%ligation d!ring the year" the other

t$o %eing Christ#as and ,an!ary )" $hen the -ole#nity of Mary" Mother of

God" is cele%rated*/>

/)* It $o!ld not %e correct to 1!alify all these #anifestations of the Marian

piety of o!r faithf!l as #ere actions or sy#%ols $itho!t #eaning" or toconsider that they do not ste# fro# a sincere and si#ple faith" since all these

de(otions represent a nor#al o!tlet for h!#an and religio!s re#e#%rance"

tho!ghts" and affection* In fact this (eneration of and deep co##it#ent to

Mary %losso#ed in the #id5eighteenth cent!ry $ith the fo!ndation of the first

+ilipino congregation for religio!s $o#en" dedicated fro# its %eginning to the

Blessed Virgin Mary of the Philippines" pop!larly 0no$n as Religio!s of the

Virgin Mary* The Barangay -ang Birhen" the -odality of 2!r Lady" the Legion


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of Mary" the Association of the Children of Mary I##ac!late" are also fr!its of

the sa#e de(otion and ha(e contri%!ted in their o$n $ay to the de(elop#ent

of Christian life in the Archipelago*

//* An ele#ent that often escapes the s!perficial o%ser(er is the deep

religio!s #eaning that so#e of these practices" and in partic!lar the to$n

fiesta" ha(e in the life of the +ilipino people* The fiesta is neither e8cl!si(ely

sacred nor sec!lar %!t a #i8t!re of rites and feasts* B!t fro# the religio!s

point of (ie$" the fiesta has three nota%le effects the f!lfill#ent of the

co##!nitys o%ligation to its hea(enly patron" in o!r case the Virgin Mary a

certain" perhaps only initial" rene$al of the spirit!al life of the indi(id!al %y

the reception of the sacra#ents of confession and co##!nion" and in #any

cases also %y the %aptis# and confir#ation of children and the rene$al ?or

creation@ of the indi(id!als conscio!sness of #e#%ership in the Catholic

Ch!rch*

This is tr!e of the fiestas is general" %!t it applies in a partic!lar $ay to the

fiestas in honor of Mary $ho is the patroness of so #any parishes and %arrio

chapels* In this sense" the cele%ration of the fiestas in her honor offers a

partic!lar occasion for re(itali&ing Christian life" and th!s f!lfills a tr!ly

religio!s f!nction* This $o!ld %e reason eno!gh to allay the fears of those

$ho #ay thin0 that these cele%rations di(ert the attention of the faithf!l

a$ay fro# God to Mary and th!s appear to %e anti5Christian or s!perstitio!s*

.hat is needed is a rene$al" not a s!ppression*

Veneration of Mary in other Christian Ch!rches

/3* This (eneration of Mary is not a feat!re e8cl!si(ely of Catholics* E(en

the follo$ers of the late Gregorio Aglipay often ha(e sho$n and contin!e to

sho$ #any of the signs of (eneration to$ard Mary that Catholics do in

cele%rating her feasts" s!ch as holding processions in her honor" 0eeping

la#ps %!ring in front of her i#age" and e(en ha(ing associations that carry

the na#e of Mary* /)

.itho!t in any $ay #ini#i&ing the differences in attit!de to$ard the Mother

of God a#ong (ario!s Christian gro!ps in the Philippines 55 so#e respectf!l"

so#e rather %elligerent regarding Catholic doctrine and practice 55 $e find for


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e8a#ple" that there is also a gen!ine Marian piety a#ong the faithf!l of the

Philippine Episcopal Ch!rch #anifested in the lit!rgical cele%ration of (ario!s

Marian feasts ?Ann!nciation" P!rification@" the song of the Magnificat in the

E(ening Prayer" and e(en the fact that their cathedral in Manila is dedicated

to -t* Mary and -t* ,ohn*

/9* The facts $e ha(e presented a%o(e sho$ the e8tent of de(otion to the

Blessed Mother in o!r co!ntry" especially a#ong Catholics* Before $e co#e

to pastoral and #ore practical considerations in this #atter" $e $ish to offer

so#e theological reflections on the (eneration to Mary" the Mother of God*

II* THE2L2GICAL BA-I- +2R THE 'EV2TI2N T2 THE BLE--E' VIRGIN MAR;

/:* In order to preser(e and p!rify and strengthen o!r +ilipino heritage of

de(otion to Mary" $e sho!ld co#pare o!r o$n practices and attit!des $ith

the so!rces of Re(elation and the doc!#ents of the Magisteri!#" so that $e

can retain and enhance $hat is tr!ly Christian and eli#inate $hat is #erely

legendary or false* .e sho!ld also set o!r de(otion to Mary in the conte8t of

o!r +ilipino society and in confrontation $ith the needs of the +ilipino people

today" so that it #ay %e tr!ly o!r o$n and #ay #irror o!r $ay of

approaching Mary and Christ*

In this $ay too $e can a(oid the de(iations against $hich the -econd Vatican

Co!ncil" and recently Pope Pa!l VI hi#self" $arned !s e8aggeration that can

falsify o!r de(otion to Mary" or a senti#entality that can s!%stit!te #erely

e8ternal practices for a serio!s co##it#ent to the Gospel in action and in

life*//

A* Mary in -cript!re

/


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A first le(el of %i%lical i#print on Marian de(otion is attained $hen script!ral

te8ts that #ention Mary or all!de to her are !sed in lit!rgical $orship as $ell

as in pop!lar de(otions*/9 It is therefore !sef!l for !s to re(ie$ these

script!ral te8ts %riefly*

The Te8ts

/=* The #other of ,es!s is #entioned in Mar0 33)53: and its parallels in

Matthe$ )/9 and L!0e )D5/) ?see also L!0e ))/=5/@* There ,es!s

spea0s a%o!t the person $ho does $hat God $ants as His tr!e 0ins#an* A

reference to her is also #ade in Galatians 99 $hen -t* Pa!l e#phasi&es the

f!ll h!#anity of ,es!s" son of a h!#an #other*/:

Basic Gospel 'ata

/* The data $e ha(e fro# the Gospels concerning Mary are that she $as

%ethrothed to ,oseph ?Matthe$ )) L!0e )/


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their $ords than #ay %e i##ediately seen %y the a(erage reader*

a* Matthe$

3>* Matthe$ connects the (irginal conception of ,es!s %y Mary to the

prophecy of Isaiah =)9* In so doing the teaches !s that %efore the e(ent

God chose Mary to %e the Virgin Mother of the -a(io!r* The E(angelist

reenforces this point %y stating that ,oseph 6did not 0no$ her6 !ntil the %irth

of the child* According to Matthe$ then" ,oseph recogni&ed that Mary $as

di(inely chosen to %e the Virgin Mother of the Child" and f!lly respected Gods

$ill that Mary re#ain a (irgin*

It has %een said that Matthe$ gi(es #ore attention to ,oseph than to Mary"

%!t it sho!ld not escape o!r attention that the role of ,oseph in Matthe$s

narrati(e is to pro(ide the title 6-on of 'a(id6 ?Matthe$ ))@ for the -on of

Mary ?Matthe$ )/:@ 55 a role he f!lfills %eca!se he is of 'a(idic lineage

?Matthe$ )/>@ and the h!s%and of Mary to !nderstand Marys (irginal

#otherhood of E##an!el and to care for and protect #other and child so

that they co!ld achie(e their sal(ific #ission to the ,e$s and the $hole $orld*

3)* In the story of the Magi ?Matthe$ /)5)/@ Matthe$ 0eeps silent a%o!t,oseph %!t says that the Magi fro# the east 6sa$ the child $ith his #other

Mary" and falling to their 0nees they did hi# ho#age6 ?Matthe$ /))@* ,es!s

is re(ealed to the Gentile $orld" represented %y the Magi* Marys -on is the

6-on of A%raha#6 ?Matthe$ ))@" the one thro!gh $ho# the di(ine pro#ise

that all the nations are to %e %lessed in A%raha# is f!lfilled ?Genesis )/3

Galatians 35D@* A clear all!sion to Mary in a perhaps not too clear conte8t

%!t $ith deep religio!s and #oral significance for Christian discipleship is

fo!nd also in Matthe$ )/9 55 6Anyone $ho does the $ill of #y +ather in

hea(en" he is #y %rother and sister and #other6 55 a parallel $ith Mar0 33)5

3:*

3/* It is clear fro# Matthe$s theology that Mary has a special place in Gods

sal(ific plan* -he $as chosen %y God to %e the $o#an $ho $o!ld gi(e reality

to the #essianic hope of Israel" and the one $ho $ill %e $ith the Messiah

$hen the Gentiles co#e to $orhsip*


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%* L!0e

33* By an artistic !se of co#parison and contrast the Infancy narrati(e ofL!0e sho$s the s!perior dignity of ,es!s o(er ,ohn and of Mary o(er achary

and Eli&a%eth* The literary style of the narrati(e dra$s hea(ily !pon $ords"

e8pressions and fig!res of the 2ld Testa#ent" not %y direct citation of the#"

%!t %y all!sion*

39* In the Ann!nciation the angel Ga%riel greets Mary saying 6Re4oice ?Hail@"

so highly fa(o!red ?f!ll of grace@ The Lord is $ith yo!6 ?L!0e )/@* The

E(angelist s!ggests that this greeting is not to %e interpreted con(entionally"

for he descri%es Mary as pondering it and as0ing herself $hat this greetingco!ld #ean ?L!0e )/D@*

All three parts of the greeting are connected $ith 2ld Testa#ent prophecies

that in(ite Israel" !nder the fig!re of a $o#an" the 6da!ghter of -ion"6 to

re4oice %eca!se God $ill %ring a%o!t the pro#ised sal(ation of the people*/3:@" so also the

po$er of the Most High $ill co(er Mary $ith its shado$" and ca!se 5 not only

sy#%oli&e 55 the presence of Gods -on in Marys $o#%" the ne$ Ar0 of the

Co(enant*

2(er$hel#ed at Gods fa(or" Mary professes her h!#ility %!t accepts the

angelic #essage in its entirety" e8pressing her confidence in the (irginal

conception as an action of God" in the #ystery of the di(ine presence in theChild" and in the pledge of God that the di(ine fa(or to$ard her and her Child

$ill %e #anifested in d!e ti#e* Thro!gh this act Mary %eco#es the #odel of

faith*

3


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,es!s the generations to follo$ $ill recei(e the %lessings of the #essianic era*

All generations" recogni&ing the di(ine fa(or %esto$ed !pon the# thro!gh

her" $ill call her %lessed*

3* The second chapter of L!0e in(ites the reader to reflect on the #ystery

of ,es!s thro!gh the eyes of his #other* The Childs %irth occ!rs in si#ple

and lo$ly s!rro!ndings that reflect the condition of Mary as the e#%odi#ent

of the Ana$i#* Together $ith the shepherds" $ho also represented the

Ana$i#" Mary ponders the re(elation of her Child to Israel*

Also in her capacity as one of the Ana$i# " Mary presents the Child to the

Lord in the Te#ple and #a0es the offering of the poor" t$o t!rtle do(es ?L!0e

///@* 2n this occasion God acts to #anifest the significance of the Child as

-a(io!r not only of Israel %!t the Gentiles as $ell" there%y also gi(ing 4oy to

the old #an -i#eon ?L!0e /3/@* B!t Mary is in(ited to loo0 at ,es!s as a

6sign that is re4ected6 and to prepare herself for the s$ord that $ill pierce her

heart ?L!0e /3353:@* The prophetess Anna gi(es a 4oyf!l ending to the

episode %y praising God and spea0ing of the Child to all $ho loo0ed for$ard

to the deli(erance of ,er!sale# ?L!0e /3


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A si#ilar #essage is fo!nd in L!0e ))/=5/" the passage telling the incident

of the $o#an $ho spo0e to ,es!s saying" 6Happy the $o#% that %ore yo! and

the %reasts yo! s!c0ed*6 ,es!s replied 6-till happier those $ho hear the

$ord of God and 0eep it*6 Altho!gh the happiness that ca#e to Mary%eca!se of her physical #otherhood of Christ $as great" greater still $as the

happiness of %eing the disciple of Christ" the $o#an of faith* This is the

deeper le(el of !nderstanding that L!0e $anted his readers to attain*33

9)* The theological portrait of Mary in the L!can $ritings is rich in its (ariety

of roles Mary is the 'a!ghter of -ion" or personification of Gods %elo(ed

people" $ho is in(ited to re4oice at the #essianic f!lfill#ent of Gods

pro#ises she is the Ne$ Ar0 of the Co(enant that ca!ses re4oicing %eca!se

she #a0es God present a#ong #en she is the e#%odi#ent of the Ana$i#$ho re4oice in their co#plete dependence on God*

c* ,ohn

9/* ,ohn has %een called 6the Theologian6 par e8cellence a#ong the

E(angelists as he constantly in(ites his readers to see the deeper #eaning of

$hat ,es!s did and said* He fre1!ently does this %y all!ding to 2ld Testa#ent

e(ents" personages" oracles" as $ell as ,e$ish religio!s practices" and %ys!ggesting that the Ne$ Testa#ent ina!g!rated %y ,es!s %rings the past to

perfection and #a0es it operati(e in the present* E(en the eschatological

and f!t!re glory of the Ch!rch is presented %y ,ohn as already present in the

person of ,es!s Christ*

+ro# the ,ohannine (ie$point Mary" as the #other of ,es!s and the $o#an

#ost closely associated $ith hi#" ac1!ires a pro#inence !ne1!aled in the

other E(angelists treat#ent of the p!%lic #inistry of Christ*

93* Mary is presented %y ,ohn at Cana" $hen ,es!s %egins his #inistry ?,ohn

/)5)/@" and at Cal(ary $hen he cons!##ates his $or0 ?,ohn )D/:5/=@* In

the narrati(e of %oth episodes $e find the ter# 6the #other of ,es!s6 as $ell

as 6$o#an6 and 6ho!r*6


16/43

It is i#possi%le to interpret satisfactorily the Cana narrati(e on the

ass!#ption that it is solely the historical record of an o%4ecti(e e(ent* ,ohn

has p!rposely sat!rated his historical data $ith all!sions to the 2ld

Testa#ent so that the deeper #eaning of $hat happened co!ld %eappreciated %y the discerning reader*

99* ,ohn a(oids Marys proper na#e and designates her $ith a title" 6the

#other of ,es!s6 ?,ohn /)*3*:*)/@* +or ,ohn titles are i#portant to clarify the

religio!s significance of personages*39 As #other" then" Mary had a role to

play in ,es!s glorification* This is called his 6ho!r63: and is achie(ed thro!gh

his Passion" 'eath and Res!rrection* 2nce glorified %y these e(ents he can

%esto$ #essianic %enefits on Israel and on all #en*

.itho!t denying the historical (al!e of Marys declaration" 6They ha(e no

$ine"6 $e #!st see0 in it a theological #eaning intended %y ,ohn* .ine" in

the 2ld Testa#ent sy#%olis#" stands for the #essianic %enefits*3< In the

theology of ,ohn" the state#ent" 6They ha(e no $ine"6 #ay %e !nderstood as

i#plying that Mary is as0ing ,es!s to %esto$ the %enefits of the #essianic

0ingdo# on Israel*3=

9:* Ta0ing acco!nt of the petition i#plied in Marys re#ar0" ,es!s addressedher as 6$o#an*6 This title as !sed in ,ohn /9 cannot %e ta0en si#ply for the

respectf!l ter# of address it represented in the Gree0 $orld of the

E(angelists ti#e* ,ohn gi(es it a theological #eaning $hich $e can grasp

only after the #eaning of changing $ater into $ine %eco#es e(ident*

The ele#ent of re4ection in the 1!estion" 6.hat ?is it@ to #e and to yo!J6 is

e8plained %y the fact that" at the historical #o#ent of the Cana e(ent" the

6ho!r6 of ,es!s had not yet arri(ed* ,es!s $ill not yet gi(e the people the

#essianic %enefits for they $ill %e gi(en only after his Res!rrection*Ho$e(er" a 6sign6 of the #essianic %enefits co!ld %e gi(en" and this is $hat

,es!s proceeded to do*3

By changing $ater into $ine ,es!s #anifested to his disciples that he $ill

f!lfill the #essianic %enefits pro#ised to the Patriarchs* A confir#ation of


17/43

this tho!ght is pro(ided %y the setting of the #iracle" a $edding %an1!et*

This is a Christian ter# portraying the 4oys of the #essianic 0ingdo#*3D The

#eaning of the sy#%olis# is f!rther confir#ed %y the fact that the $ine

ca#e fro# the $ater of rit!al p!rification* ,es!s $ill transfor# 2ld Testa#ent

rit!als into Ne$ Testa#ent sal(ific sacra#ents*

9


18/43

9* .e #entioned a%o(e a first le(el at $hich the Bi%le left its i#print on

Marian de(otion* A deeper le(el is attained $hen this de(otion is #ade a

channel thro!gh $hich great the#es of the Bi%le are %ro!ght to the attention

of the people ?Matthe$ /// /:)> L!0e )/3


19/43

$hene(er $e recite the Hail Mary $e honor her as Mother of God in each of

o!r E!charistic Prayers*

This title $as in !se in the Ch!rch as early as the third cent!ry* The original

for# of the fa#iliar prayer 6.e fly to thy patronage" 2 holy Mother of God6

#ay also %e that early* In the doctrinal contro(ersies of the fifth cent!ry that

acco#panied and follo$ed E!thyches and Nestori!s opinons on the

pro%le# of nat!re and person in Christ" the title of Mary as Mother of God $as

challenged* And altho!gh the point at iss!e $as Christological rather than

Mariological" the logical conse1!ence of Nestori!s doctrine as !nderstood in

the de%ate $as the denial of Mary as Theoto0os ?Mother of God@*

:/* The ch!rch reacted strongly to this challenge* -t* Cyril of Ale8andria

defended Marys title of Theoto0os precisely as a profession of faith in the

di(inity of her -on 6,es!s Christ $as not first %orn of the holy Virgin as an

ordinary #an" in s!ch a $ay that the .ord only after$ards descended !pon

hi#" rather he $as !nited $ith flesh in the $o#% itself" and th!s is said to

ha(e !ndergone %irth according to the flesh*** +or this reason the holy

+athers ha(e %oldly proclai#ed the holy Virgin Theoto0os*69) It $as this faith

in Christs Incarnation that the Co!ncil of Ephes!s proclai#ed in 93) A*'*

$hen it s!pported -t* Cyril and defined Marys title of 6Theoto0os6 as a

doctrine of Christian faith*

Mary then can rightly %e called 6Mother of God"6 not indeed in the

%lasphe#o!s sense of ha(ing e8isted %efore God" %!t as an affir#ation of the

tr!th of the Incarnation* The -on of Mary and the -on of God is one and the

sa#e person" E##an!el*

6Ang Mahal na Birhen6

:3* This is the title %y $hich +ilipinos (ery often address Mary* And o!r

+ilipino tradition has n!anced this title $ith all the re(erence paid to Mary as

Mother of God and all the childli0e tr!st $ith $hich $e can call her o!r o$n

Mother*


20/43

Marys (irginal Motherhood is a #ighty act of God" an o(ershado$ing of the

Holy -pirit" as is related to !s in the Gospels of Matthe$ and L!0e* Christs

(irginal conception is a #ystery ac0no$ledged and proclai#ed %y the +athers

of the Ch!rch* In fact the earliest +athers too0 L!0e and Matthe$ literally on

this point* .e profess Christs (irginal conception in o!r acts of faith and

recite it in o!r creeds*

:9* -o#e perhaps #ay find it strange" if not diffic!lt" to !nderstand ho$ this

fact can %e a point of re(elation on the part of God* Virginal Motherhood

see#s so #!ch li0e a pri(ate pri(ilege $hich $o!ld only %enefit Mary" and

$o!ld ha(e little rele(ance for o!r li(es as Christians* Theologians hasten to

point o!t that Marys (irginal Motherhood is a great sign of Gods o$n

a%sol!te intiati(e in redee#ing #an0ind* As -t* Irenae!s says" 6Beca!se an

!ne8pected sal(ation $as to %e initiated for #en thro!gh Gods help" an

!ne8pected %irth fro# a Virgin $as li0e$ise acco#plished* The sign $as God5gi(en the effect $as not #an5#ade*6 9/

.hen $e e#phasi&e Gods a%sol!te initiati(e in granting Mary the pri(ilege of

her Virginal Motherhood and the Ch!rch cele%rating her (irginity" %oth

ele#ents are to %e properly !nderstood* It is not si#ply the a%sence of a

#an that is %eing e8tolled at the Incarnation" %!t also Marys action of totally

co##itting herself to God for the rede#ption of #an0ind* It is precisely fro#

this #!t!ality of Gods initiati(e and Marys total reponse that her

%lessedness appears in f!ll light*

Mother of the Ch!rch

::* The first ne$ insight gi(en !s %y the +athers of the Ch!rch is that of Mary

as the 6ne$ E(e*6 As early as the second cent!ry -t* ,!stin %ro!ght o!t the

constrast %et$een E(e and Mary* The (irgin E(e accepted the $ord of the

serpent and ga(e %irth to diso%edience and death the (irgin Mary recei(ed

the $ord of the angel $ith 4oy" and thro!gh the po$er of the Holy -pirit ga(e

the %irth to the -on of God*93 6And th!s"6 adds -t* Irenae!s" 6as the h!#an

race fell into %ondage to death %y #eans of a (irgin" so it is resc!ed %y a

(irgin a (irgins diso%edience is %alanced %y (irginal o%edience*699

This co#parison of Mary $ith E(e 1!ic0ly ga(e rise to the (eneration of Mary


21/43

as the ne$ 6#other of the li(ing*69: Th!s the title that had %een gi(en to the

Ch!rch fro# the %eginning $as also applied to Mary and this in t!rn

occasioned the gro$ing co#parison %et$een Mary and the Ch!rch* The

.o#an of Apocalypse ?the Ch!rch@ and the .o#an at the foot of the cross

?Mary@ %eca#e one*

:


22/43

help on her intercession"6 as $e profess in the E!charistic Prayer*

:* It is %ased on these ideas that Pope Pa!l VI on /) No(e#%er )D


23/43


24/43

$rite this Pastoral Letter so that the +ilipino #ay gro$ in his de(otion to Mary

and ac1!ire a deeper !nderstanding of Marys role in the Ch!rch and a

0eener appreciation of her role as o!r Mother*


25/43

de(otion ha(e prod!ced other concrete and percepti%le res!lts in o!r people*

.e do not spea0 only of the Marian life fostered %y the Legion of Mary $hose

praesidia are $idely disse#inated in so#e dioceses" nor the fact that the

Barangay -ang Birhen has ta!ght a n!#%er of %elie(ers ho$ to pray the

rosary and contin!es to help #any to %!ild !p christian co##!nities* .e

refer partic!larly to the fact that the c!lt of Mary and the de(otion to heri#age ha(e helped #any si#ple people to re#ain Catholics* Altho!gh the

religio!s practice of #any is #ini#al" yet the de(otion to the Mother of God

helps the# to 0eep their faith ali(e* In fact on the occasion of her feasts and

d!ring no(enas in her honor" a percepti%ly greater n!#%er of people recei(e

the sacra#ents* Hence $e #ay say that e(en a #ini#al for# of de(otion to

Mray has consistently pro(en (al!a%le*

This has helped in #any instances to 0eep and n!rt!re the prayer5life of o!r

people" %!t also55and this #!st %e noted55it has gi(en an added di#ension %ypro(iding a po$erf!l #oti(ation for $or0s of Christian charity" partic!larly %y

gro!ps dedicated to her* It is to %e hoped" ho$e(er" that it $ill help the#

also to dedicate the#sel(es $ith greater ardor to the apostolate of social

4!stice" accepting Marys special role in h!#anitys destiny" in the

de(elop#ent of h!#anity to a co##!nity of 4!stice and peace*


26/43

has #ore than a fe$ si#ilarities 55 ha(e also %een confronted $ith the

pro%le# of pop!lar religiosity in their o$n co!ntries* Their reflections $ere

offered to their fello$ %ishops d!ring the recent Ro#an -ynod* Their (ie$s

represent (ery (alid insights into the pro%le#* Hence $e do not hesitate to

#a0e o!r o$n #any of their ideas as they are applica%le in general to

pop!lar Catholicis# in the Philippines and in partic!lar to the (eneration ofMary %y o!r faithf!l*:/

=>* Christian tradition penetrates indi(id!al e8istence" social content and the

(ery history of o!r people* This Christian tradition" a real e8perience of God

and of faith" can %e said to %e the concrete #ode in $hich Christianity is

incarnated in o!r people" deeply li(ed %y the# and #anifested in their

e8istence*:3

This pop!lar religiosity is #anifested a%o(e all in a special sense of God and

of His pro(idence o(er o!r li(es" of the special help and protection of the

Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints and in certain f!nda#ental attit!des in the

face of life and death* +ro# these arise the pop!lar de(otions" no(enas"

processions" pilgri#ages" fiestas" and the cele%rations that s!rro!nd %aptis#"

first co##!nion" #arriage" death and %!rial*:9

.hile not a fe$ for#s of this pop!lar religiosity are of a rather rit!alistic sort

and in general tend to %e !nrelated to day5to5day life" still the spirit %ehind

the# 0eeps in o!r people its f!ll !nity and operati(e po$er* Pop!lar

religiosity in o!r co!ntry is a spring%oard as $ell as an in(itation for the

deepening of a #ore religio!s conscio!sness* The (alid ele#ents of an

a!thentic faith" $hich are present in the profo!nd religiosity of o!r people"

need and de#and that they %e p!rified" interiori&ed" #ade #ore #at!re" and

%ro!ght to %ear on daily life*

=)* This de#and that certain syncretistic and s!perstitio!s ele#ents that

#ight ha(e entered into certain practises of de(otion" at ti#es a 0ind of

fol0loric rit!al $hich is $holly o!t of 0eeping $ith the tr!e Christian faith"

#!st %e eli#inated or transfor#ed* In partic!lar this religiosity of o!r

people"this %ea!tif!l gift of God $hich is the seed of o!r a!thentic faith" #!st

%e deeply rooted in the reality of the Person of ,es!s Christ and in the Paschal

Mystery55the Christ5e(ent $hich at ti#es has %een so#e$hat o%sc!red


27/43

=/* This %rief s!##ary of $hat pop!lar religiosity is" its positi(e (al!es and

shortco#ings #ay no$ %e applied to the de(otion to Mary in the Philippines*

It cannot %e denied that pop!lar religiosity has #aintained in o!r co!ntry a

deep Christian content* .itness the #any facts" historical and sit!ational"

presented in Part 2ne of this Letter* +ro# the# it appears clearly ho$

de(otion to Mary in the Philippines has %een inti#ately intert$ined $ith

Christ and the #ystery of Incarnation and Rede#ption* In fact" the

Philippines" li0e her sister co!ntries in Latin A#erica" is a Christian and

Marian nation* The Philippines $as e(angeli&ed in the light of Christ" of the

cr!cified Christ 55 hence the pro#inence of Christ#as and Holy .ee0 55 and of

Mary* In this incarnational and rede#pti(e conte8t" the (eneration of Mary

has %een and still is an i#portant ele#ent in %ringing a%o!t a deepe(angeli&ation of the #asses of o!r people*

In this respect $hat is tr!e of Latin A#erica is also tr!e of o!r co!ntry 6The

f!nda#ental paschal di#ension ca#e to !s thro!gh the de(otion to the

Blessed Virgin Mary" especially thro!gh the recitation of and #editation on

the #ysteries of the Most Holy Rosary"6:: a de(otion $hich enco#passes

the #ysteries of the Incarnation" Passion and Ress!rrection of o!r Lord*

=3* In this sense" $e #ay also say $ith o!r %rother %ishops of Latin A#erica

that de(otion to Mary 6is the safeg!ard for the preser(ation of o!r faith and

the principle of deeper and f!ller e(angeli&ation*6:* A%o(e all $e $ish to e#phasi&e that all (eneration of Mary is to %e

s!%ordinated to the adoration of the tri!ne God and of Christ $ho is theMediator* Marys dignity is the #ost e8alted a#ong all the saints %eca!se of

her di(ine #aternity and hence she is $orthy of special (eneration as the

Mother of God* Her place and role in the econo#y of sal(ation is to %e clearly

proposed to the faithf!l" as the -econd Co!ncil of the Vatican has

e8pressed*:= This" $e thin0" is a (ery i#portant point and" if $rongly

!nderstood" is the root and so!rce of any ill5ad(ised for# of Marian de(otion*

)* It is in this conte8t that certain pastoral steps sho!ld %e ta0en to refor#

and rene$ so#e practices in the life of o!r faithf!l* The faithf!l sho!ld %einstr!cted to (enerate Mary o!t of lo(e for her and appreciation of her dignity

and not pri#arily to o%tain personal and #aterial fa(ors* They sho!ld see the

hierarchy of Christian (al!es and the d!ties in the Christian life %y paying

greater attention to the participation in the E!charistic cele%ration on -!nday

than in any other for# of de(otion* P!%lic and traditional Marian cele%rations

li0e the +lores de Mayo" often connected $ith the -antacr!&an " #!st %e


30/43

pre(ented fro# %eco#ing fashion sho$s that ta0e a$ay their spirit!al

#eaning" $ith the danger of con(erting Marian de(otions into %ea!ty parades

rather than religio!s #anifestations of faith* -i#ilarly the traditional for#s of

de(otion #!st ne(er %e an ostentatio!s sho$ to %e displayed for g!ests or

(isitors* The real spirit of these de(otions sho!ld %e e#phasi&ed" and not

#erely the e8ternal practice*

Need for Rene$al

/* These and other points are offered here as concrete s!ggestions for

refor#* B!t there #!st also %e roo# for rene$al* Not a fe$ for#s of Marian

de(otion" good in the#sel(es" and $ith the (enera%ility of tradition" ha(e

f!lfilled an i#portant role in their ti#e* Ho$e(er they #!st %e !pdated and

adapted to todays religio!s $orld and needs* The lead has %een sho$n to !s

%y the -econd Co!ncil of the Vatican $hich co!rageo!sly initiated lit!rgical

refor# and rene$al*

3* Th!s" in consonance $ith the principles of lit!rgical rene$al $hich do not

need to %e repeated or en!#erated here" it is clear that the pro%le# of

fiestas and no(enas #!st %e s1!arely faced* Pastors #!st %e (igilant to

pre(ent as far as possi%le the #i8ing of paralit!rgy $ith lit!rgy" or the si#ple

incorporation of no(enas into the E!charistic cele%ration* A distinction #!st

%e #ade also %et$een the no(ena for the ann!al patronal feast" a $ee0ly

no(ena ?li0e the pop!lar no(ena to 2!r Lady of the Perpet!al Help@ and

de(otions to Mary that #ay last one f!ll #onth ?May and 2cto%er@* In any

e(ent t$o alternati(es #ay %e offered here

a@ A Mass5No(ena $ith the ele#ents of the No(ena incorporated into the

Mass either after the Co##!nion and %efore the dis#issal" or e(en d!ring

the Prayer of the +aithf!l* It is to %e noted" ho$e(er" that in this case the

prayer sho!ld al$ays %e addressed to God the +ather" not to Mary*

%@ The no(ena %y itself" $hich sho!ld %e rene$ed* A special co##ittee to

deal $ith this #atter for the lit!rgical and paralit!rgical for#s of de(otion to

Mary $ill %e esta%lished" partic!larly for the rene$al of the No(ena str!ct!re

and prayers*


31/43

9* No(enas $ill then %e rene$ed %y #a0ing the# #ore script!ral" a(oiding

a (er%osity present in so#e of the# and a senti#entality less in consonance

$ith todays religio!s attit!des*

2n the other hand it is a $ell50no$n fact that the holding of No(enas"

specially in preparation for Marys feasts" %rings $ith it a partic!lar sense of

co##!nity a#ong those practicing the de(otion*

:* As for the +lores de Mayo an effort #!st %e #ade to !tili&e the# %etter

to instr!ct the people a%o!t the #eaning of religio!s cele%rations and to

re(itali&e the#* A si#ilar re#ar0 applies to the practice and recitation of the

%loc0 rosary" a practice $e higly reco##end* .e address also a $ord ofenco!rage#ent to priests and religio!s they too sho!ld try to redisco(er the

(al!e of the rosary as a co##!nity prayer*


32/43

=* Let !s t!rn o!r attention no$ to a different %!t not less i#portant aspect*

.e refer to that di#ension essential in the a!thentic de(otion to Mary $hich

is partic!larly rele(ant in todays $orld 55 the social and anthropological

di#ension* This sociological aspect has co#e to the fore $ith distincti(eintensity in the />th cent!ry and #!st %e discerned in the light of the Gospel*

* A re(ol!tion is going on $hich is $o#ans gro$ing a$areness of $hat

she is* Pre(io!sly consigned to roles defined for her %y a #an5controlled

society" $o#an is no$ 1!estioning the str!ct!res of s!ch a society* Agencies

all o(er the $orld are ta0ing cogni&ance of this pheno#enon* The Knited

Nations" for one" has designated )D=: as International ;ear of .o#an* If the

Ch!rch is to %e faithf!l to her call" she #!st loo0 at this pheno#enon and

1!estion herself regarding her o$n attit!de to$ards $o#en* This is not apro%le# only for $o#en" %!t a profo!ndly h!#an one*

D* .itho!t 1!estion" the #ale ele#ent is preponderant in the Ch!rch*

-o#eti#es this fact %reeds a certain !nconscio!s attit!de of paternalis# or

condescenscion to$ard $o#en $hich pre(ents $o#en fro# attaining #at!re

stat!re or fro# f!lly participating in the life of the Ch!rch* This area needs to

%e e8plored" especially $ith regard to i#ple#entation of ne$ for#s of ser(ice

for $o#en" and rene$al of a de(otional spirit!ality that often appears less

#asc!line in character* Ho$e(er the traits of lit!rgical ser(ices andspirit!ality are #ore prono!ncedly #asc!line*

D>* In the Philippines $here $o#en en4oy a stat!s and a freedo# to $hich

her Asian co!nterparts still aspire" $e #!st loo0 deeper into the 1!estion"

%eyond $hat see#s to %e o%(io!s and ta0en for granted %y con(ention* The

+ilipino $o#an" tho!gh stereotyped as Maria Clara" is a fig!re of strength not

only in the fa#ily %!t also in society* Her relationship $ith #an" therefore" is

higly a#%i(alent* -ince it is this relationship $hich is at the root of any

society" it needs to %e e8a#ined %efore any rene$al of Philippine society can%e effected* Is the +ilipina one $ho is e1!al %!t co#ple#entary to #an" or

she is one $ho s!pplants #anJ 'oes she" %y her #anner of %eing and her

attit!de to$ard herself and the opposite se8" help to prod!ce %etter +ilipino

#anhood or does she $ea0en itJ These 1!estions need to %e pro%ed

especially %y those engaged in the social sciences*


33/43

D)* I#itation of Mary does not #ean 0eeping $o#en $ithin the c!lt!ral

li#itations $hich %o!nd the $o#en of Marys ti#e* The Virgin Mary is

proposed to the faithf!l as an e8a#ple to %e i#itated not precisely in the

concrete tas0s she !ndertoo0 at Na&areth" and 6#!ch less for the socio5

c!lt!ral %ac0gro!nd in $hich she li(ed and $hich today scarcely e8ists

any$here* -he is held !p as an e8a#ple to the faithf!l rather for the $ay in$hich" in her o$n partic!lar life" she f!lly and responsi%ly accepted the $ill of

God" %eca!se she heard the $ord of God and acted on it and %eca!se charity

and a spirit of ser(ice $ere the dri(ing force of her actions*6: The 1!ality of

her life as spo!se and #other can i#%!e the ordinary chores of $o#en in the

ho#e $ith a deeper #eaning and significance*

The #odern search for the e1!ality of $o#en" and their co5responsi%ility in

politics" the social field" scientific research" and intellect!al acti(ities" is %y no

#eans incongr!ent $ith a deep de(otion to Mary* Marian de(otion andi#itation ha(e sho$n the#sel(es in (aried $ays" according to the different

sociological conte8ts in $hich Christian $o#en li(ed* The Ch!rch does not

%ind herself to any partic!lar anthropological ideas !nderlying s!ch

e8pressions of the Marian c!lt* -he 6!nderstands that certain o!t$ard

religio!s e8pressions" $hile perfectly (alid in the#sel(es" #ay %e less

s!ita%le to #en and $o#en of different ages and c!lt!res*6:D

D/* In connection $ith the i#age of $o#en" there is these days $idespread

p!%licity gi(en to n!#ero!s %ea!ty contests" a fact that is deplora%le sincethese e(ents are occasions of falsehood $hich distort the tr!e i#age of

$o#en" feed peoples #inds $ith false (al!es" and p!t $o#en on pedestals

only to e8ploit the#* The eyes of the nation are often di(erted %y s!ch

%ea!ty pageants fro# the ills of society and the serio!s tas0s of nation5

%!ilding* Ch!rch5related acti(ities are not entirely free of this tendency" and

f!nd5raising connected $ith fiesta 1!eens o!ght to %e disco!raged* It is also

$orth$hile #entioning that respect for $o#en sho!ld find its e8pression in

decent fe#inine dress" and is also fostered %y Christian propriety*

D3* In (ie$ of the a%o(e consideration of Mary and the +ilipino $o#an it is

appropriate that $e sho!ld address a fe$ $ords to the +ilipino #an in

partic!lar* The dignity" self5a$areness and spirit!al reali&ation to $hich Mary

is s!##oning the +ilipina is for the +ilipino #an a challenge to !nderstand

her correctly and a re#inder to respect" lo(e and protect her* A $o#an is

degraded $hen treated li0e an o%4ect" the con1!est of $hich is ta0en as a


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proof of ones #ac!linity in the spirit of childish #achis#o* A $o#an is a

co#panion and a partner" an e1!al" and not a plaything or a sla(e* It does

the +ilipino $o#an no 4!stice to practise in her regard a do!%le standard" %y

$hich she is e8pected to f!lfill her fa#ilial d!ties" $hile the #ans infidelity

and irresponsi%ility are e8c!sed or ta0en for granted* Moreo(er" s!pporting

her #aterially is %y no #eans the only o%ligation of a h!s%and to her" nordoes it 4!stify any negligence or a%!se on his part*

The #!t!ally enriching and sal(ific !nion $hich is the goal of the instit!tion

of the sacra#ent of #arriage can only %e achie(ed on a %asis of respect"

lo(e" fidelity and the deep sense of responsi%ility that a #an sho!ld ha(e for

his $ife and (ice (ersa* The +ilipino $o#an #eas!res !p #ore f!lly to her

(ery i#portant role in o!r nation5%!ilding and #ost especially in that %asic

!nity of society" the fa#ily" $hen she is accorded lo(e and 4!stice %y the

+ilipino #an*

D9* .e rarely associate de(otion to Mary $ith the social di#ension of

Christian li(ing" and this is $hen de(otion to her can tend to %eco#e pio!s

indi(id!alis#* Mary sho!ld al$ays %e seen in a Bi%lical conte8t" for she $as

the prod!ct of the heritage of patriarchs" prophets" and psal#ists of the 2ld

Testa#ent* .e see this (ery clearly in her song of praise" the Magnificat"

$here she t!rns nat!rally fro# herself to her people* The God $ho is her

personal -a(io!r and $hose greatness she proclai#s is a God $hose action

on %ehalf of the lo$ly and the poor end!res thro!gh the ages* Altho!ghMarys $ords are not to %e interpreted in the conte#porary sense of class

str!ggle" they point to a re(ersal of the social order in the ingdo# of God*

D:* Marys song spea0s of a God $ho has 6ro!ted the pro!d of heart"6 6p!lled

do$n princes fro# their thrones"6 6e8alted the lo$ly"6 6filled the h!ngry $ith

good things"6 and 6sent the rich e#pty a$ay6 ?L!0e ):)5:3@* This is an echo

of the !tterances of the prophets $ho conde#ned the $ealthy not for their

$ealth %!t for their selfish co#placency" the po$erf!l officials not for their

positions of a!thority %!t for their in4!stice and c!nning* The poor of Israel$ere a %light in the land they $ere the #anifestations of a sic0 society" %!t

e(en #ore f!nda#entally" of a radical de(iation fro# Gods intentions for his

people* In %rief" the poor $ere (isi%le signs of the deep5rooted sin of the

nation* Greed and deceit $ere in the hearts of the po$erf!l of the land $ho

$ere s1!ee&ing the life%lood fro# the poor for their o$n selfish p!rposes*

Tho!gh entrenched in this social sin" they p!t a facade of piety and


35/43

respecta%ility $hich $as sacrilegio!s in the eyes of the prophets* It $as to

those people that the Lord said 6.hen yo! stretch yo!r hands I t!rn #y

eyes a$ay* ;o! #ay #!ltiply yo!r prayers" I shall not listen*** Ta0e yo!r

$rong5doing o!t of #y sight* Cease to do e(il* Learn to do good" search for

4!stice" help the oppressed" %e 4!st to the orphan" plead for the $ido$6

?Isaiah )):5)=@*

D


36/43

faithf!l*

.e ha(e also shared $ith yo! so#e insights on this de(otion $hich is

gro!nded solidly" as $e ha(e sho$n" in the teachings of the Ne$ Testa#ent

and the life of the Ch!rch itself fro# her %eginnings*

B!t these t$o aspects55the historical and the doctrinal55#!st not %e

considered as tri!#phalistic or irrele(ant !tterances* In offering the# to yo!

$e ha(e a practical and pastoral ai# in (ie$ the a!thentic rene$al of the

(eneration of Mary in the Philippines* This de(otion #!st %e f!nda#entally

%i%lical" solidly Christological" so!ndly lit!rgical*

D* The profo!nd religiosity of o!r people55 call it" if yo! $ish" pop!lar

religiosity 55 $ill recei(e a po$erf!l i#p!lse d!ring the cele%ration of the Holy

;ear" a year of rene$al and reconciliation* 2!r faith in and lo(e for the

Incarnate Lord" $ho too0 flesh in Mary" $ill %e strengthened in the #eas!re

$e try to li(e $ith and for Christ as Mary did" so that $e #ay %eco#e" li0e

her" his tr!e disciples* The Ch!rch conte#plating Marys 6profo!nd

holiness6


37/43

) 'og#atic Constit!tion on the Ch!rch" L!#en Genti!# ?LG@" n* 9 or the Catholic 'irectory of the Philippines " )D=9*

Manila Catholic Trade -chool* There is no record a(aila%le of the n!#%er of

%arrio chapels $hose patron saint is Mary" %!t 4!dging %y the n!#%er of

parishes !nder her patronage the pres!#ption is that there are #any*

9 Thirty parishes are dedicated to 2!r Lady of Lo!rdes" /9 to 2!r Lady of

Perpet!al Help* /3 to 2!r Lady of Mo!nt Car#el" etc* In so#e regions Mary

is (enerated !nder the title of 2!r Lady of -al(ation" an in(ocation less

0no$n in other places* The sa#e #ay %e said of the in(ocation of 2!r Lady

of the Mirac!lo!s Medal" fro# $hich the pop!lar fe#inine na#e of Milagros

originates*

: Altho!gh originally the i#age of N!estra -eora de G!ia $as in the Er#ita

Ch!rch" fro# a%o!t )> ho$e(er it $as (enerated in the Manila Cathedral*

+ro# there it $as %ro!ght %ac0 to Er#ita aro!nd )>>* 2ther e8a#ples 2!rLady of La Candelaria in Ma%itac" Lag!na ?):DD5)>@" 2!r Lady of Manaoag

?):5)@" 2!r Lady of Caysasay ?)


38/43

(i(idly tells !s of the perse(erance of the nati(e co##!nities in their faith

thro!gh the Rosary de(otion in spite of the total lac0 of priests for #any

years* Cf* Cartas de Pro(inciales" To#o 3" fol* )=/( in the 'o#inican Archi(es

of -anto 'o#ingo" F!e&on City*

D The no(ena in preparation for the feast of 2!r Lady of Lo!rdes" ))th of+e%r!ary" #a0es the /nd of +e%r!ary" feast of La Candelaria and first day of

the no(ena" do!%ly dear to the de(otees*

)> Vario!s instit!tions or practices associated $ith or dedicated to the

Blessed Virgin Mary are fo!nd al#ost e(ery$here the Legion of Mary" so

flo!rishing in so#e dioceses the -at!rday de(otions practised in others or

e(en the recitation of the Angel!s" a practice $hich in so#e #!nicipalities

ta0es on a p!%lic character %eca!se of #!nicipal ordinances pro(iding for the

cessation of all traffic d!ring the ti#e of the recitation* All these are signs

that the (eneration of Mary has %eco#e a tr!e part of the religio!s life of the

people*

-ince this letter does not intend to present a co#plete socio5religio!s pict!re

of the Christian life and in partic!lar the (eneration of o!r faithf!l to the

Blessed Virgin Mary" $hat $e offer here is neither co#plete nor e8ha!sti(e*

Ho$e(er it is s!%stantially correct" data and details ha(ing %een ta0en fro#

relia%le so!rces and confir#ed %y a rapid s!r(ey #ade in practically all the

ecclesiastical territories of the Philippines* The ans$ers to 1!estionnaires

sent to all 2rdinaries for the places of their 4!risdiction and their e(al!ation

%y persons in a position to 0no$ the facts and capa%le of interpreting the#

coro%orate the essential findings presented here* In this sense also this letter

#ay $ell %e not only an enco!rage#ent %!t a starting point of research andreflection on the (ario!s aspects in(ol(ed in $hat #ay %e called religio!s

6fol0 practices6 a#ong the a(erage +ilipino*

)) These are the na#es #ost fre1!ently !sed Concepcion"" Nati(idad"

P!rificacion" 'olores" As!ncion" Rosario" G!adal!pe" Pilar" Car#en" Lo!rdes"

Pa&" -ocorro" Re#edios" Cons!elo" Victoria" Nie(es" Milagros" Candelaria"

Mercedes" -al(acion" Estrella" A#paro" +ati#a" etc*

)/ Constit!tion on the -acred Lit!rgy" arts* )>/5)>3*

)3 This c!sto# is fo!nd in se(eral places so#e of the# are $ell50no$ne(en to (isitors fro# o!tside the to$n* In so#e to$ns and %arrios the

pan!n!l!yan is done $ith the !se of stat!es" in others a co!ple representing

,oseph and Mary 0noc0 at different shrines erected along the road or si#ply

go fro# ho!se to ho!se" ending !p in the Ch!rch for the #idnight Mass*

)9 It is to %e noted that in #any %arrios $here there is no resident priest" the

religio!s preparation for Christ#as 55 and not seldo# the cele%ration of


39/43

Christ#as itself 55 is done paralit!rgically* The cere#ony consists in the

recitation of the rosary interspersed $ith hy#ns s!ng %et$een the decades

and the Litany of Loretto s!ng at the (ery end 55 often in Latin* The

cele%ration ta0es the place of the Ag!inaldo Mass and of the Mass at

Christ#as night*

): The -al!%ong ?6#eeting6@ is !s!ally held %efore Mass* The central e(ent

in this procession is the #eeting of i#ages of the 'olorosa and the Risen

Christ as an appointed spot* In so#e places a little girl dressed as an 6angel6

ascends the platfor# and sings the Regina Caeli to 2!t Lady" after $hich she

stoops and re#o(es the %lac0 (eil of 2!r Lady" th!s re(ealing an

e#%roidered $hite (eil* This c!sto# offers a clear e8a#ple of the dra#atic

e#pathy $ith $hich the people in general identify the#sel(es $ith the

Mother of Christ*

)< Mariano Pilapil* asaysayan ng Pasiong Mahal ni Hes!cristong Panginoon

Natin* Manila A0latang L!nas" )D=>* The first edition $as p!%lished in)9*

)= The finding of the Cross %y -ta* Helena also has its place in the Pasiyon

$hich ends $ith a prayer to Mary* .hen the reading of the Passion ta0es

place in pri(ate ho!ses 55as it often does 55 it is not rare to find that

together $ith one of the fa(orite i#ages of o!r s!ffering Lord" the stat!e of

2!r Lady of -orro$s is also (enerated*

) The Pieta is often e8hi%ited" altho!gh not !ntil Good +riday" portraying

Christ in the ar#s of His Mother* In fact" on Good +riday at the end of the

procession" the places of greatest pro#inence are gi(en to the i#age ofChrist ready for %!rial and of Mary" the Mother of -orro$s*

)D +or the description of +lores de Mayo" see Area Hand%oo0 of the

Philippines " (ol* I" HRA+5)


40/43

?6'eclaration of +aith and Articles of Religion of the Philippine Independent

Ch!rch"6 The +ilipino Missal" Manila The -!pre#e Co!ncil of Bishops" )D


41/43

he li(ed a#ong !s ?he #ade his ta%ernacle a#ong !s@" and $e sa$ his glory*6

Mary as 6the #other of ,es!s6 is the one $ho ga(e 6flesh6 to the eternal

.ord the one in $ho# he too0 6flesh6 in order to #anifest his glory to all*

3: Cf* ,ohn =3> /> )//35/= )3)" )=)*

3< -ee A#os D9 Isaiah /: L!0e )/3 In the Boo0 of Re(elation" ch* )/" a $o#an is presented as a sy#%ol of

the people fro# $ho# ca#e the Messiah and $ho are in(ol(ed in the

str!ggle against -atan* It $o!ld %e inacc!rate" ho$e(er" to si#ply say that

the $o#an 6adorned $ith the s!n" standing on the #oon" and $ith t$el(e

stars on her head for a cro$n6 ?Apocalypse )/)@" is Mary* Actions attri%!ted

to this $o#an" li0e 6crying alo!d in the pangs of child%irth6 ?)//@ and

escaping to the desert in order to escape fro# the dragon $hen the Child $as

ta0en into hea(en ?)/:5" PG


42/43

9D Cf* AA- " (ol* :):5)>)* 6+or 4!st as the di(ine Maternity is

the ca!se of Marys sing!lar relationships $ith Christ and the reason for her

%eing in(ol(ed in Christs $or0 for the sal(ation of #an0ind" so too the di(ine

Maternity is the so!rce of those relationships that e8ist %et$een Mary and the

Ch!rch since Mary is the Mother of Christ" $ho" as soon as He too0 on a

h!#an nat!re in her (irginal $o#%" !nited to Hi#self as its Head His MysticalBody $hich is the Ch!rch* And so Mary is the Mother of all the faithf!l and

the %ishops" $hich #eans of the Ch!rch6 ?Translation in The Pope -pea0s"

(ol* )>" )D" p* />@

:) AA-" (ol* 9/" )D:>" p* ==>*

:/ 2fficial Latin te8t of Arch%ishop Ed!ardo Pironios report in 'e

E(angeli&atione M!ndi H!i!s Te#poris " Pars Prior" Relationes F!i%!s M!t!a

Co##!nicatio E8perientiar!# introd!cit!r" -ynod!s Episcopor!#* Typis

Polyglottis Vaticanis" MCML77IV" pp* )D533* 2n Pop!lar Religiosity" nn* =5)>*

-ee also a s!##ary of his report in L2sser(atore Ro#ano" 2cto%er )=" )D=9"and E(angeli&ation in Asia Today Part II" Bishops -ynod )D=9" CBIOL-T" pp*

:D5*

:< I%id*

:= LG" n* ::*

: MC" n* 3:*

:D I%id*" n* 3


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