LIGHT. Jaro Archbishop Most. Rev. Jose Romeo O. Lazo (right) leads the traditional rite of the blessing of perdon candles before the solemn pontifical Mass at the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral in celebration of the feast of the Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria on Friday (Feb. 2, 2024). The Marian image is the Patroness of Western Visayas. (Photo courtesy of the Archdiocese of Jaro Commission on Social Communication)
ILOILO CITY – Jaro Archbishop Most. Rev. Jose Romeo O. Lazo reminded the Catholic faithful that "Our Lady of Candles" is always around to provide light in times of darkness.
In his homily during the solemn pontifical Mass in celebration of the feast of the Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria (Our Lady of Candles) on Friday, Lazo said this year's theme is worthy of reflection – she introduced the light, which is Jesus, for sharing with others.
This year's theme is "Virgen sang Candelaria, Tagdala sang Iwag kag Ubay sa Amon Pagpanglakaton bilang Simbahan" or Our Lady of Candles, Bearer of Light and Guide in our Journey as a Church.
Rev. Fr. Angelo Colada, director of the Archdiocese of the Jaro Commission on Social Communication, said the theme is about the call of the church about "synod on synodality, our journey as a church, communion, participation, and mission."
"So as we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Candles, she's the bearer of light, and the light is Jesus. So we continue to carry that light to illumine our way to salvation. At the same time, He is also our guide and our model, especially as we embrace the virtue of humility and obedience to the will of God and salvation," he said.
A foot profession from the Archbishop's Residence going to the cathedral preceded the traditional rite of the blessing of perdon candles and the solemn pontifical Mass presided by Lazo.
"The perdon symbolizes Christ, the light of the world, a symbol of hope, especially in this trying time, when the world seemed to have been enveloped by darkness, anxiety, and fear brought about not only by the pandemic but by the challenges of every day, the calamities we experience, both natural and man-made," the Social Communication post in its Facebook page said.
On Thursday evening, Lazo led the traditional coronation of the Marian Image enshrined on a glass encasement at the balcony of the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral.
The occasion is a re-enactment of the coronation of the image by Saint John Paul II in February 1981 during his Apostolic visit to the Philippines.
It is the only Marian Image in the country, canonically crowned by the Pope and Saint.
The image was named Patroness of Western Visayas in 1982 and elevated into a national shrine on July 6, 2011.
Friday’s celebration had 11 masses at the St. John Paul II Hall and nine at the main altar from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. (PNA)
