Our Lady of the Abandoned Muntinlupa (courtesy of Patrick Dominick Romero)
By Rechilda Estores
May 19 2023
Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish has celebrated its 160th anniversary by crowning the shrine’s image of the Blessed Virgin Mary and highlighting the parish’s connection with the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome.
Fr. Jonathan Cadiz, a Filipino rector and parish priest of Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish, has highlighted the importance of his parish receiving the Canonical Coronation of Our Lady of the Abandoned Muntinlupa, the Decree of the Spiritual Bond of Affinity to the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, and the 160 years anniversary of their parish in Muntinlupa City, Philippines.
Devotion to Our Lady of the Abandoned
In an interview with Vatican News, Fr. Cadiz expressed that Our Lady of the Abandoned is an image of an affectionate mother who responds to the prayers of the abandoned children and everyone who seeks help.
“The devotion to the Our Lady of the Abandoned (Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados) started in Valencia, Spain,” he continued. “At first, the title was used to refer to Mary as a caring mother of abandoned children. As the devotion became widespread because of the many miracles and answered prayers, she became known as a mother to everyone who ask for her help.”
The steadfast faith of Filipinos in Our Lady of the Abandoned has become a way to build and dedicate a parish in the Philippines to invoke her intercession before God.
“In 1863, the Archbishop of Manila, Most Rev. Gregorio Meliton Martinez, issued a decree establishing the first parish in el pueblo de Muntinlupa. It was named Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish,” he added. “In 1997, Cardinal Jaime Sin elevated the parish to a shrine and in 2013, the Our Lady of the Abandoned was declared principal patroness of Muntinlupa City.”
Fr. Cadiz reiterated the significant role of Our Lady of Abandoned for Filipinos as “a beloved figure to the people of Muntinlupa,” he emphasized. “The devotees recognize Mary as a mother that cares and adopts everyone especially the least, the last, and the lost in society.”
Decrees from Rome and Parish Fiesta
Fr. Cadiz shared that the people from the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish prepared the documents in 2022 for the petition of the decrees which was sent to Rome.
“We compiled the history, devotional practices, and several testimonies of answered prayers through the intercession of Our Lady of the Abandoned,” he told Vatican News.
The Filipino priest recalled that on 12 May 2023, the celebration of the parish fiesta became a way to present the decrees to the people. “During the celebration of the 160th parish fiesta, Archbishop Charles Brown, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, together with Bishop Jesse Mercado, of Parañaque, led the actual Rite of Canonical Coronation and the Declaration of the Bond of Spiritual Affinity.”
Fr. Cadiz said the decrees recognize the faithfulness of the people of Muntinlupa to Our Lady of the Abandoned.
“The coronation is a testimony to the devotion of the people of Muntinlupa to Our Lady of the Abandoned,” he revealed. “The Bond of Spiritual Affinity with St. Mary Major Basilica highlights our identity as a shrine – a place of pilgrimage where people can gain plenary indulgence.”
He also pointed out that these recognitions from Rome “invites us to deepen all the more our love and devotion to Mary and to her Son Jesus.”
Fr. Cadiz also added that many people attended the celebration Mass including the “priests, local government officials, devotees, parish leaders, and parishioners gathered to witness this historical event.”
He urged the people to receive Communion and pray to the Our Lady of the Abandoned in aspiring to connect them intimately with Christ.
“May she always be a source of comfort and hope for all who turn to her in times of need. May she intercede for us and lead us closer to Jesus,” he encouraged.
Fr. Cadiz concluded the interview by inviting the people to “look at Mary as our mother. Her powerful intercession has brought countless answered prayers to many who seek her help. Let us not hesitate to approach her. Our Lady will never abandon us. Our Lady of the Abandoned, pray for us, Viva la Virgen!” – Vatican News
