Nuestra Seniora del Santisimo Rosario de Manaoag in Spanish or " Ang aming Ina ng Manaoag" in Filipino. The Church of our Lady of Manaoag was established 400 years ago. The Ivory was said to be brought by Padre Juan de San Jacinto from Spain via Acapulco. Folks believed that this started when a farmer heard a soft female voice and saw the Virgin Mary, stated that she wanted to build her church in there, that passes from generation to generation. The blessed Virgin Mary is locally adore as the patroness of the town of Manaoag especially the sick ones and those who are needy. Devotees and tourist believed of its miraculous healing miracles and answered prayers that is why they kept on coming back, as so do I.
How to reach Manaoag Church
From Cubao, Quezon City, there are buses available that has a direct route to Manaoag, Pangasinan. Dagupan Bus for instance are more convenient, for they will drop you exactly in front of the said church. Passing through NLEX and SCTEX and exiting in Tarlac will take 5 to 6 hours depends on road situation, including bus stop overs (Dau Mabalacat and Tarlac City) for only 315php per head, Air conditioned.
Things to do in Manaoag Shrine
Based on my personal experience, most of the times that I visited Manaoag Shrine, I arrived at around 10 to 11 in the morning. As I enter the church, the first thing is to hear the holy mass at that time,
 | |
| Main entrance of the Church |
 | |
| Right Side of the Altar |
after the said mass, everybody who wants to receive blessing from the Priest will go near the center of altar as he traditionally do it after every holy mass using the miraculous holy water. Likewise to your personal religious items. In the courtyard, you will notice people are falling in line, some are saying the rosary while waiting for his/ her turn to go upstairs entering a little chapel located behind the altar in where devotees can whisper their deepest wish or prayer request while touching the back side of Virgin Mary. Well Faith is a personal matter. As for me, all of my prayer request were granted.
Next is the Rosary Garden which is intended to provide the devotees a
solemn place to meditate on the Paschal Mysteries (Life, Death and
Resurrection of Jesus Christ). This will develop our intimacy to God.
You will also pass through a pavilion devoted to candles, a certain place where candle lighting are done by devotees and tourist, there are prayers suggested prior to lighting the candle before uttering your personal intention or your wish before lighting your own bought candle.
Dont forget to also pass by the Manaoag museum, it is a place where collections of religious icons be found, as well as articles, vestments, and gifts such as perfume, jewelry etc. of devotees to our Lady of Manaoag. I personally find the dim light and quiet atmosphere in the museum, thus, taking photos and videos inside the museum are strictly prohibited.
After visiting the church, you can walk outside the area and buy some Pangasinan delicacies.
0 comments:
Post a Comment