Virgen de los Remedios de Pampanga facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Virgen de los RemediosPatroness of Pampanga |
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The canonically crowned image
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| Virgin of Remedies, Queen of Pampanga, Indu ning Capaldanan, Tula ding Kapampangan | |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Major shrine | Repository of Our Virgen De los Remedios, Archdiocese of San Fernando |
| Feast | September 8, Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary |
| Attributes | The Blessed Virgin Mary encrusted with jewels, golden crown, aureole and moon. |
| Patronage | Pampanga, Kapampangan people |
| Controversy | Suppression of Communism |
The Virgen de los Remedios de la Pampanga is a special title for the Blessed Virgin Mary. People in Pampanga, Philippines, especially Kapampangan Catholics, honor her under this name. She is also known as Indu ning Capaldanan, Tula ding Kapampangan, which means "Mother of Comfort, Joy of the Kapampangans."
She is the official patroness of Pampanga. In 1956, Pope Pius XII gave her a special honor called a Canonical Coronation. This means her image was officially crowned by the Church. Her feast day is celebrated every year on September 8, which is also the Feast of the Nativity of Mary.
This devotion is often linked with a crucifix called Santo Cristo del Perdón. Both are part of a prayer group called Crusaders for Penance and Charity. This group was started by women. They focused on helping the poor and those in need, and they also worked to fight against Communism.
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A Story of Peace and Faith
In the 1950s, after World War II, Pampanga faced many problems. There was a lot of tension between poor farmers and wealthy landowners. This caused social unrest and led to the rise of Communism, which worried many people, especially Catholics.
To help calm things down, Bishop César María Guerrero had an idea. He was the first bishop of San Fernando, Pampanga. He decided to bring back a special devotion to Mary that the Spanish had introduced long ago. Bishop Guerrero knew about a similar image of Our Lady of Remedies in his hometown of Malate, Manila.
The Crusade for Charity
Bishop Guerrero asked to borrow the image of the Virgen de los Remedios from Baliti, Pampanga. He wanted to use it for a new group called Cruzada de Penitencia y Caridad. This name means "Crusade of Penance and Charity." The group's goal was to bring peace and help people come together.
Many people, especially wealthy women, supported this group. They gave money and joined in religious processions and Rosary prayers. This made the devotion very popular among everyone. The group became well-organized with its own rules, which helped it grow and gain more recognition from the Church.
By 1954, the people of Baliti wanted their original image back. So, Bishop Guerrero asked an artist named Victoriano Siongco to create a new, larger image of the Immaculate Conception. This new image was for the official use of the Crusade. The original Baliti image was then returned to its home church.
A Special Honor from the Pope
On February 11, 1956, Bishop Guerrero asked Pope Pius XII to grant a Canonical Coronation to the image. This is a very high honor given by the Pope. On July 15, 1956, Pope Pius XII agreed and issued a special paper, called a papal decree.
The official crowning of the image happened on September 8, 1956. This was the same day as its feast day, making it a very special celebration.
Celebrating the Feast
The Feast of Virgen de los Remedios of Pampanga is celebrated every year on September 8. This day marks the birth of Mary.
People also celebrate this devotion in the United States. In Los Angeles, California, the Archbishop crowns a copy of the image every year at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.
Since 2010, Kapampangans living in the Bay Area (California) also have an annual event. They re-enact the Canonical Coronation. The first event was at the Our Lady of Peace Shrine in Santa Clara. Now, the event moves around to different churches in the Diocese of San Jose, Diocese of Oakland, and the Archdiocese of San Francisco. It is held every second Sunday of November.
See also
In Spanish: Virgen de los Remedios de la Pampanga para niños
