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QUIAPO COMMUNITY HONORS NUESTRA SEÑORA DE LA BUENA HORA ON THE SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION

Aug. 19, 2026 11:35 AM

For the people of Quiapo, August 15 was more than a feast day. It was a day to walk once again with Mary. As the Church celebrated the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, devotees gathered to honor Nuestra Señora de la Buena Hora, lovingly known as the “Birhen ng Quiapo.”

 

The 5:00 p.m. Holy Mass was presided over by Rev. Fr. Paul Medina, O.Carm. Parishioners, devotees, clergy, and members of the different ministries and organizations of the church came together for the celebration, offering their prayers and devotion to the Blessed Mother.

After the Holy Mass, the image of Nuestra Señora de la Buena Hora was brought outside the church for a solemn procession around the community.

The procession was made even more meaningful with the participation of the Karakol dancers, representing the different parish organizations. With their songs and dances, they joined the devotees in expressing their love and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The title Nuestra Señora de la Buena Hora, or Our Lady of the Good Hour, is one of the Marian devotions associated with the long Catholic tradition of Quiapo.

The devotion was revived in Quiapo in 2017 through the initiative of the Hijos de Nazareno, with the approval of the then Rector and parish Priest of Quiapo Church, Msgr. Hernando Coronel. An image of Nuestra Señora de la Buena Hora that had been kept in the Basilica was brought out again for public veneration.

The revival of the devotion was formally celebrated on August 15, 2017, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, when the image was brought in procession around the vicinity of Quiapo Church.

A new image was later commissioned and blessed on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and was eventually enshrined in the Basilica for the continued veneration of the faithful.

Since then, August 15 has become a special occasion for the people of Quiapo to gather and honor Nuestra Señora de la Buena Hora, renewing a Marian devotion that continues to grow among the faithful.

This year’s procession, however, was cut short because of the heavy rain.

But even as the rain poured, the devotion of the people did not stop. With the help and cooperation of the devotees, parish organizations, clergy, and those who remained with the procession, the image of Nuestra Señora de la Buena Hora was safely and peacefully brought back to the church.

Perhaps, in a simple way, the experience reminded everyone that devotion is not measured by how far we are able to walk. What matters is the love and faith we carry with us.

The people of Quiapo may not have completed the entire route, but they continued to walk with Mary as far as they could—praying, trusting, and placing themselves under her maternal care.

May Nuestra Señora de la Buena Hora, Birhen ng Quiapo, continue to watch over the people of Quiapo and lead us always closer to her Son, Jesus Christ.

Nuestra Señora de la Buena Hora, pray for us!

‎- Marion Allen Albaladejo, HDN Central Worship Chair