Our Lady of Aranzazu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Our Lady of AránzazuNuestra Señora de Aránzazu |
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The canonically crowned image of Nuestra Señora de Aránzazu currently vested and enshrined
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| Location | San Mateo, Rizal, Philippines |
| Date | June 11, 1469 (Oñate, Spain) |
| Witness | Rodrigo de Balzategui |
| Type | Marian devotion from Oñate, Spain |
| Approval | Pope Francis |
| Shrine | Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Nuestra Señora de Aránzazu |
| Patronage | Against natural disaster and calamities, San Mateo, Rizal Philippines |
Our Lady of Aránzazu (also known as Nuestra Señora de Aránzazu) is a special title for an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This image is deeply respected in San Mateo, Rizal, Philippines. People in San Mateo sometimes call her Birhen ng Bayang San Mateo, which means "Virgin of the Town of San Mateo".
Many people believe this image has brought about miraculous healings and kept them safe from floods. What's interesting is that the original image in Spain is seated, but the one in San Mateo stands tall.
Pope Francis officially approved the image to be crowned on June 17, 2016. The special crowning ceremony happened on May 31, 2017.
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History of Our Lady of Aránzazu
The story of Christianity in San Mateo, Rizal began a long time ago. In 1596, during the early Spanish era, Augustinian friars built the first settlements there.
On August 29, 1596, the first church parish was created. It was dedicated to Saint Matthew.
Later, on December 6, 1696, Jesuit priests arrived and took charge of the town. The devotion to Our Lady of Aránzazu in San Mateo started around 1705.
A Jesuit priest named Juan de Echazabal brought the devotion to Our Lady of Aránzazu from Spain. He then changed the town's patron saint from St. Matthew to Nuestra Señora de Aránzazu.
In 1716, a new church was built where the current one stands today. This church was also dedicated to Nuestra Señora de Aránzazu. The very first image of the Virgin of Aránzazu was brought to the Philippines by a Spanish captain. He came from the Basque region of Spain.
In 1732, the Dominican Order of Letran helped spread the devotion to Nuestra Señora de Aránzazu among Filipinos. This happened during the Spanish rule.
On July 16, 2004, the church was officially declared the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Nuestra Señora de Aránzazu.
What the Image Looks Like
The image of Mary shows her holding the Christ Child. She wears royal clothes and holds an apple. The apple is a symbol that connects her to the idea of the "New Eve."
The image shows the event from 1469 when the Virgin appeared. She is standing on a thorn bush, and a small bell hangs from it. The statue also includes Rodrigo de Balzategui, the person who saw the apparition, kneeling.
This image is famous for its unique standing pose. The original image in the Sanctuary of Arantzazu in Spain is a seated Madonna. However, the image in San Mateo stands up. This difference caused some discussion. In 2012, the Diocese of Antipolo officially decided that the image would keep its standing posture. This decision respected the local traditions and the wishes of the people who love the image.
Honoring Our Lady of Aránzazu
The image received a special Episcopal Coronation on November 9, 2013. Bishop Gabriel V. Reyes of Antipolo granted this honor. The ceremony was led by Francisco M. de León.
The image was later granted a canonical coronation. This means it was approved by the Pope. The local community asked for this through their priest, Lawrence C. Paz. Documents were prepared by the Cofradia de Nuestra Señora de Aránzazu.
The official approval came on June 17, 2016. Cardinal Robert Sarah, from the Vatican, announced the decree. The grand coronation ceremony took place on May 31, 2017. Francisco M. De Leon celebrated the mass. Cardinal Archbishop Orlando Quevedo performed the crowning on behalf of Pope Francis.
Devotion and Celebrations
The feast day for Our Lady of Aránzazu is celebrated every September 9. It's a very special day filled with joy. People carry her image in a procession. They wave white handkerchiefs and sing her hymn.
Her feast day used to be celebrated on a Sunday near Pentecost. But then, a priest named Marcelino Prudente found out that in Spain, her feast is on September 9. Because of his efforts, Bishop Protacio Gungon declared in 1989 that the feast day would be on September 9.
Today, the shrine dedicates the ninth day and the second Saturday of each month to the Virgin of Aránzazu.
The devotion to Nuestra Señora de Aránzazu continues to inspire the people of San Mateo. Many pilgrims from all over the country visit her shrine. They come to ask for her help and prayers.
Stories of Miracles
Thousands of people have shared stories of miracles. They believe these miracles happened because of the Virgin of Aránzazu's help.
One famous story is about a typhoon season. San Mateo was in danger of severe flooding. People decided to bring the image of the Virgin out of her shrine. They carried her to every part of San Mateo. It is said that as the Virgin faced each house or area, the floodwaters suddenly went down.
Another story happened during Typhoon Yolanda. This typhoon also threatened the Rizal area. It was also the day of the Episcopal Coronation of Nuestra Senora de Aránzazu. Heavy rain was expected. However, when the Virgin arrived for her coronation, the rain suddenly stopped. The ceremony was able to take place.
The shrine has recorded many other miracles from her devotees. These stories can be seen in the Virgin's prayer chapel. They include cures from diseases like cancer, success in important exams, financial help, family reconciliations, and even people changing their beliefs. The people of San Mateo have shown their deep love and devotion to their patroness for centuries.
Images for kids
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The Canonically Crowned Image of Our Lady of Aránzazu is brought out from the shrine for a procession.
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The Canonically Crowned Image of Our Lady of Aránzazu
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Our Lady of Aránzazu being enthroned on her retablo at the high altar of the church
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The shrine oratory, which holds a copy of the image.
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A large outdoor copy of the image on the shrine grounds
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The view of the church façade behind the trees
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Closeup of the image and its crowns, shortly before the enthronement.
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Historical Marker by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines at the shrine.
See also
In Spanish: Nuestra Señora de Aránzazu para niños
- Roman Catholicism in the Philippines
- Marian apparition
- St. Joseph Church (Baras, Rizal)
- Our Lady of the Abandoned
- Our Lady of La Naval, a similar Marian image enshrined in Quezon City.
