Patroness of Ilocos Norte

THE PEOPLE OF THE BEAUTIFUL province of Ilocos Norte honor La Virgen Milagrosa de Badoc (Miraculous Virgin of Badoc) as their patroness and cause of their joy.
Fr. Danny Laeda, a son of Badoc and the diocese’s historian, wrote that the Virgin was canonically crowned by Nueva Segovia Archbishop Juan Sison and Laoag Bishop Edmundo Abaya in 1980.

She was declared patroness and “Cause of our Joy.” Why she was brought up in my conversation with Fr. Ian Rabago meant she was giving the signal that I could write about her.
By some miraculous circumstance, I met Fr. Laeda in July when I went home to Laoag for the first anniversary of my brother Pompeyo’s death. I was with my friends Myrna de la Cuesta-Campos, Tessie Ablan, Lita Sy-Valero and Letty Miguel-Chiong when I interviewed the priest.
The celebration on Dec. 8 marks the 21st anniversary of the canonical coronation of the Virgin. It is also her feast day.

My mother, Lourdes Darang, told me that pilgrims went to her centuries-old church in Badoc on Sept. 8, her birthday. My mother and her friends always go there on that day.

The devotion of Fr. Rabago, chancellor of the diocese of Laoag, is deep and committed. He says, “All the priests of the diocese are devotees of Our Lady of Badoc. All our successful endeavors are attributed to her because we cling to her before embarking on something.”

Badoc is chosen
Oral history says in 1620 or thereabout, fishermen on the beach of Dadalaquiten that borders Badoc and Sinait saw a large wooden box carried by the tide. Hauling the mysterious box to the shore, they discovered a life-size statue of the Sto. Cristo Milagroso and a smaller, delicately hand-painted image of the Blessed Virgin Mary with the Infant Jesus.

The residents of Badoc wanted the Crucified Christ, while those from Sinait chose the Virgin. To their surprise, they couldn’t move the statues until those from Badoc took the Virgin.

The people of Badoc were able to bring the Virgin to the church and those from Sinait brought home the Crucified Christ. Both images have been venerated for centuries and miracles have been reported in these two towns.

My grandmother, Lorenza Foronda-Pascua, married Esteban Pascua from Badoc after my mother’s father died. I remember visiting her in Badoc, but it was only in 1993 that my former classmates and I discovered the Virgin in her church.

We went up to her altar and whispered prayers to her. She was so close that we could reach out to her and look at her beautiful face.

Those who want estampitas of Our Lady of Badoc can write to me c/o P.O. Box 2050, Manila. Please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope. For testimonies of miracles wrought by God through the intercession of the Virgin under this title, you can write to the same address.

Book fair
Spiritual publications are included in the 27th Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) Aug. 30-Sept. 3 at the World Trade Center. At least 15 exhibitors of religious books are participating. For details, call 8900661 or e-mail bookfair primetradeasia.com

Among the participants are Christian Literature Crusade, Claretian Communication Foundation, Lighthouse Bookstore, Logos Publications, OMF Literature, Pauline’s, Philippine Bible Society, Sinag-tala Publishers, The Catholic Book Center, and Word and Life Publication.

Pilgrimage
Fr. Paul Marquez, SSP, will lead a pilgrimage to Europe Oct. 21-Nov. 1. The pilgrimage covers, among others, Rome for a visit to the Basilica of St. Mary Major; Lourdes, France for the grotto; Paris for Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church; Barcelona to go up the Apolonian Mountain for Our Lady of Montserrat and Garabandal.

Call Ephesus Travel 5265211 or text 0917-8938267.

Visit
Filipino pilgrims led by Fr. Sanny de Claro will fly to Mexico via Los Angeles to visit Our Lady of Guadalupe in her Basilica in Mexico. Set to leave Oct. 17, the pilgrims will visit other Marian shrines.

The Filipino flag is among flags from different nations displayed at the wall of the main altar of the Guadalupe Basilica. A conveyor behind the altar brings pilgrims up close to the more than 400 years old icon of Our Lady. Call 5211651 or text 0918-9083676.

Caysasay play
Executive producer Ramon Orlina is bringing the play “Ang Mapaghimalang Virgen ng Caysasay” to the Far Eastern University auditorium, on Aug. 16, 10:45 a.m.-3:15 p.m. Text him at 0917-8805108.

Class reunion
Alumni of the Baguio Military Institute will hold a reunion on Sept. 1, 6 p.m., at Club Filipino.
Parish is 55

Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Leveriza, Malate, celebrates its 55th anniversary Aug. 15, feast of Our Lady of the Assumption.

Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales will officiate in the Concelebrated Mass at 6 p.m. Fr. Nick Blanquisco is the parish priest. Hermano mayor is Cleto Belda and family.

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