The altar mural of the Our Lady of Fatima Parish Church – Urduja in Caloocan City. | PHOTO FROM THE PARISH’S FACEBOOK PAGE
By CBCP News
Oct 16 2020
MANILA – The country’s “biggest mural altar” will be blessed in the Diocese of Novaliches on Tuesday to honor the Covid-19 frontliners.
No other than Bishop Roberto Gaa of Novaliches will bless the mural that was commissioned by the Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Caloocan City’s Urduja village.
Fr. Aristeo de Leon, the parish priest, said the mural altar is their way of honoring the frontliners and “including them in our prayers and mass intentions”.
The mural, which depicts the “Miracle of the Sun” also known as the “Miracle of Fatima”, features the painting of renowned artist Guerrero Saño.
Saño is well-known for his more than 700 murals in 16 countries depicting peace and environment.
Witnessed by thousands of people, the Miracle of the Sun occurred on October 13, 1917 at the Cova da Iria in Fatima, Portugal.
The area is also where the Virgin Mary appeared six times to Lucia, 9, and her cousins Francisco, 8, and his sister Jacinta, 6, between May 13, 1917 to October 13, 1917.
Both saints Francisco and Jacinta died in 1919 and 1920, respectively, of the influenza epidemic that struck Europe.
“We will ask Saints Francisco and Jacinta’s intercession for healing and strength for those who are afflicted with Covid-19 and their families,” Fr. De Leon said.
For the altar mural, he collaborated with the Art Attack, a group of young artists which Saño himself founded.
