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Our Lady of the Abandoned (OLA)

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File:Virgen Abandoned 1.jpg
Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados de Valencia

Our Lady of the Abandoned or Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados is the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary by a confraternity which was founded to take care of the poor, mentally ill and abandoned people in Valencia, Spain. The devotion to the Virgin as the Mother of the Abandoned Ones in Valencia, Spain reached the Philippines in the two old towns of Sta. Ana, Manila and Marikina. This devotion for the virgin was known for the title of Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados also known as "Our Lady of the Abandoned" (OLA).[1]

Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados started in Valencia, Spain in the 15th century. On February 24, 1409, on his way to the Cathedral in Valencia, Spain; Fray Gilberto Jofre saw a group of kids throwing stones and making fun of a mentally deranged old man. In his homily, he stressed and explained the need to put up a hospital to keep them from being abused in the streets. The establishment of the hospital started in May 1409 and its patroness was St. Mary of the Innocents. In 1413, a Cofradia de Nuestra Señora de los Inocentes was formed to help and care for the mentally ill, prisoners and the abandoned.[2]

In 1416, a permission was granted by the pope to make an image of the Virgin under the title of Our Lady of the Innocents which was later called Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados or "Our Lady of the Abandoned". They wanted to have a statue of the Virgin as the patroness for its mission so they look for an artist to carve a Marian image but couldn’t find any. In 1885 Our Lady of the Abandoned Ones was proclaimed Patroness of Valencia.

Our Lady of the Abandoned of Marikina (written by Dino Carlo S. Santos)

File:Virgen Abandoned 3.jpg
Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados de Marikina (Courtesy of Jerome de Jesus)

Also known as Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados de Marikina. The supervision of Catholic faith in Marikina started when the town was again ceded by the Augustinian from the Jesuits. On March 10, 1687, Governor Gabriel Cruz Elasque ordered the transfer of Marikina to the care of the Augustinians and merged with the ministry of San Mateo. He instructed Don Juan Pimetel, Alcalde de Tondo, to vacate & demolish the visita of Jesus de la Peña due to the turbulent Marikina River which floods the area during rainy season. Moreover, the visita cannot accommodate the growing population of the community. This finally led the friars to cross the river to find a higher place for a bigger church which is now where the present church stands and subsequently made an independent parish in the year 1690.[3] Records were lost due to the destruction made of World War II and Filipino-American War to indicate if the church was made in the honor of Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados. Nevertheless, an insignia in front of the church may prove that it was really meant for a Marian Devotion.[4]

On October 23, 1791, the church was consecrated by the Archdiocese of Manila for the Virgin's said title so that it may never be used for any secular purpose. In 1898, during the Filipino-American War the first image was burned together with the pertinent records on the devotion in Marikina. Came 1902, a new image was created which is presentlly venerated in the parish.

The devotion flourised through the miracles attributed to the image, among the notable miracles of Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados happened during World War II when Japanese army bombarded the city. Apparently, a bomb fell near the bell tower of the church but did not explode. It would have destroyed the whole church if so happen. Parishioners attributed this miracle to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin.[5]

The intercession of the Virgin on the community's prayer was remarkable and was highligted by Her devotees when the image was honored with an Episcopal Coronation of the image last May 12, 2002. Aside from that, by virtue of the Apostolic power granted by the Holy See through Pope Benedict XVI, the image was hailed with a solemn ceremony on Her Canonical Coronation last October 23, 2005.

Our Lady of the Abandoned of Manila

File:Virgen Abandoned 2.jpg
Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados de Manila

In 1713, through the efforts of Fr. Vicente Ingles, OFM, a replica of the original image was made. It was touched to the original image which is still venerated in Valencia, Spain. In 1717, Fr. Ingles brought the image to the Philippines to be enshrined in the Church of Santa Ana, the first Franciscan mission established outside Intramuros. On January 23, 1720, Fr. Francisco de la Cuesta, Archbishop of Manila and Governor and Captain General of the Philippine Islands, surrendered his crystal baton, symbol of his authority, to Our Lady of the Abandoned. It is still held by the image. On September 12, 1720, a new church was constructed wherein the image of "Our Lady of the Abandoned" is now enshrined. To this day, miracles and special favors are attributed to her unbounded kindness and mercy. The abandoned, the oppressed, the mentally ill, draw from her the most inspiring and uplifting consolation.[6]

By virtue of the Apostolic power granted by the Holy See on December 10, 1990, the image of Our Lady of the Abandoned was canonically crowned on May 12, 1991; by his Eminence Jaime Cardinal Sin.

Symbols on the Image (Dino Carlo Santos)

The azucena at the left hand hand of the Virgin Mary symbolizes a whip to chastise a community who refused to decently bury dead paupers. It is now believed that through this whip, the Lady shall save her children from sickness and works of evil. Meanwhile, the roses are the offering for those who make good deeds and to continue such.

The azucenas in the image of Marikina is holding a very different from the one in Valencia and Manila. Sta. Ana’s (Manila) image is holding the Spanish Azucena or Lilium Candidum (white lily) while the image from Marikina is holding the Philippine Azucena or Polianthes Tuberosa (tuberose).[7]

The cross at the left hand of the Infant Jesus represents Himself as the Savior to mankind. However, the Infant Jesus of the "Our Lady of the Abandoned of Marikina" holds a dove at the right hand that signifies Himself as the Prince of Peace. Aside from that, He looks at the face of the Virgin that seems to be communicating to one another.[8] It should be noted that the "Our Lady of the Abandoned of Manila" is a replica of the original image; while Marikina's Virgin is an original image that adapted the pertinent symbols from the icon in Valencia, Spain.

The First Miracle

The "Confraternity of Our Lady of the Abandoned" was looking for a sculptor for their image but couldn't find one. One day, three handsome young men knocked on their door asking for shelter. In return, they offered to sculpt the needed image provided that they will be left undisturbed in a room, with only the needed materials for carving and a ration of food for three days. And the offer was accepted.

For three days, members of the Cofradia were mystified by the lack of thudding sound that should be coming inside the room, indicating that there is a sculpting going on. And on the third day, they were forced to broke in the room when no one seemed to respond on their call to open its door. To their surprise, they’ve found a Marian image in a golden garb carrying Infant Jesus in one hand and lilies on the other. The food supply were untouched and they’ve found no traces of the three young men, who were later believed to be angels sent from above.

This extraordinary fact about the creation of the image was followed by countless miracles worked on behalf of the Virgen de los Desamparados. The title originally pertained to the care of Our Lady to the abandoned children. Then as its fame spread with miracles, the image became Our Lady of All the Abandoned—be they young or old.

Philippine Churches in Her Honor

1) Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Abandoned (Diocese of Parañaque)
National Rd., Poblacion, Muntinlupa City.

2) Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned (Archdiocese of Manila)
Pedro Gil St., Sta. Ana, Manila. (Image Canonically Crowned last May 12, 1991)

3) Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned (Diocese of Antipolo)
J.P. Rizal St., Sta. Elena, Marikina City. (Image Canonically Crowned last October 23, 2005)

4) Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned (A Recollect Parish)
Valencia, Negros Oriental.

5) Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned (Archdiocese of Manila)
Coronado St., Hulo, Mandaluyong City.

Notes

  1. ^ http://www.traditioninaction.org/SOD/j126sdVirgenAbandonment_4-12.htm
  2. ^ http://www.traditioninaction.org/SOD/j126sdVirgenAbandonment_4-12.htm
  3. ^ http://www.geocities.com/ola_parish/
  4. ^ Devotion to the Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados, Patroness of Marikina City, Canonical Coronation of Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados, Patroness of Marikina City, October 23, 2005
  5. ^ Devotion to the Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados, Patroness of Marikina City, Canonical Coronation of Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados, Patroness of Marikina City, October 23, 2005
  6. ^ http://www.flickr.com/photos/santa_ana_church/sets/72157600005477849/
  7. ^ Devotion to the Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados, Patroness of Marikina City, Canonical Coronation of Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados, Patroness of Marikina City, October 23, 2005
  8. ^ Ang Mahabaging Ina ng mga Walang Mag-ampon, Pintakasi ng Bayang Marikina: Ang mga Naging Ambag ng Debosyon sa Ina ng mga Walang Mag-ampon sa Pagkakakilanlang Marikeño. Salamyaan Sa Ilaya: Isang Talakayan sa Araling Marikina. 23 Pebrero 2007, Teatro Marikina, San Roque, Lungsod ng Marikina.


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