Menu

QUIAPO CHURCH HONORS THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY THIS FLORES DE MAYO CELEBRATION

Nov. 30, 2024 05:52 PM

Home is where home is for Rev. Msgr. Hernando Coronel, former rector and parish priest of the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno, who presided the 3:00 P.M. solemn mass on May 30, 2024, in celebration of the Flores de Mayo in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In his homily, he described the Virgin Mary accompanies [us] in our tears and sorrows until our triumphant memories. With reference to the narrative of Annunciation and Visitation, this mystery is affirmed through the rosary, which Msgr. Coronel described it as “giver of positive strength”.

Through the mystery of the redemption, this brought to his next point that the Virgin Mary “never forgets”. This is reflected from the “Save us from the fires of hell and lead all souls into heaven” of the ‘Fatima Prayer’. This manifests her powerful intercession to her son, Jesus, for mankind.

Last, he delivered his timeless acronym, MARIA, dedicated to Mary in summing up his homily: M – Maria, A – Advocata Nostra (Pintakasi Namin), R- Reyna, I – Ina and A – Aba Ginoong Maria.

Msgr. Coronel made history by formally reviving the devotion to the Nuestra Señora dela Buena Hora (Our Lady of the Good Hour) in 2017. His legacy of restoring an oblivious Marian devotion in Quiapo consequently resumed the tradition of giving tribute to the Buena Hora every Flores de Mayo. Likewise, her feast day commemoration on August 15 (Solemnity of the Assumption).

After the solemn mass, the astounding ladies in their elaborated gowns paraded down the streets around the district with each’s respective decorated arch bearing the names of the[ir] assigned ‘Reinas’ names and, some, with escorts, for this annual Quiapo Grand Santacruzan 2024. The parade went down the districts of Quiapo.

– Kidanzac A. Tallada | Shrine & Pilgrims’ Ministry (Evangelization Cluster)