Recoletos family celebrates La Salud fiesta

QUEZON CITY – “Ibalitaninyo sa social media… The Black Virgin of Health (Nuestra Señora de la Salud) is once again around, ready to intercede for us,” Fray Rommel L. Rubia OAR exclaimed during his homily during the Feista of La Salud at San Nicholas de Tolentino Parish last November 17, 2017.

After more or less seventy two (72) years that the devotion and public veneration was lost now the OAR Friars of the Philippines revived the celebration of the Solemnity of the Black Virgin.

Fray Amadeo Bolilia, OAR presided the concelebrated Eucharistic celebration. Fray Rommel focused his Sermon about the degree of mother’s love for her children. “Grabe and pagmamahal ng isang ina sa isang anak,” he emphasized. Though we are aware that not all mother are really perfect, always remember Christ is giving us his own mother –a mother of all, he continued.

People from different parishes around Quezon City gathered to celebrate and see the original image. They sang the Salve Regina and Ioseph. Before the final blessing, Fray Hector Gonzalez, OAR delivered his gratitude to all who supported the National Caravan (to different OAR comunities), to those who attended the Fiesta and those who throughout the Novena Mass were present.

The more than 20 OAR preists, OAR formands, Augustinian Recollect Sisters, SARF, RAY & CARAS from different chapters, other religious sisters, those who seek for healing and lay faithful attended the occasion.

Brief History: (compilation of Fray Rommel L. Rubia, OAR, La Salud: the Black Virgin of Health.)

The Image of Virgen de la salud was brought by by the7th batch of OAR Missionaries in the year 1634. The dark Mexican Virgin of  la salud was enthroned in the Church of San Juan de Bagumbayan,  the first church of the Recollect Fathers in the Philippines.

The devotion faded since the Virgin lost her principal shrine in Bagumbayan twice.