La Salud Fiesta 2019: Blessing and Enthronement to her new Chapel

Provincial Curia, QUEZON CITY—The 385 year-old image of Nuestra Señora de la Salud was Solemnly Enthroned at her new chapel beside San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish last November 17, 2019.

Fray Dionisio Q. Selma, OAR, Prior Provincial of St. Ezekiel Moreno Province, graced the blessing of the newly renovated chapel dedicated to the Virgin of Health. This was constructed to revive the devotion to the Black Virgin of Health so that the faithful who wish to seek her intercession for healing may venerate her.

In the Eucharistic Celebration presided by Fray Dionisio, he urged the people to ask the intercession of Virgin of health. Fray Rommel L. Rubia, OAR as the homilist focused on another miracle through the intercession of La Salud. Aside from prayers of healing and recovery, Fray Rubia said that there were claims of prayers on childbearing that were answered through the intercession of La Salud. In his homily, Fray Rubia challenged the faithful, to be the sign of hope for all: that those who were given the gift of having children keep them as their hope; that those who were married yet were not granted a child do not lose hope; and that those who cannot bear child due to their vocation should spread hope for others.

Fray Rubia exclaimed: Ang bilis ng panahon! The image of our Lady was brought by the Recollects to the Philippine in the year 1634 from Mexico. Now, 385 years after her arrival in the Philippine soils, the devotion that was forgotten for 72 years is now back to the heart of many devotees. Part of the revival of the devotion is the offerings of the ex-votos. These are precious artifacts that were offered to La Salud as sign of their thanksgiving for answered prayers. Before the Celebration of the Holy Mass on her feast day various persons offered ex votos. Also, the reading of testimonials was done. Since the first day of novena, some devotees expressed their gratitude to the Lord and wrote their testimonials of healing from cancer, dengue, fever, and other sickness. Some of these testimonials were documented and verified by medical experts and were deemed as miraculous.

After the Holy Mass, a solemn procession of the image was done. Hundreds of devotes joined in the procession while some chose to stay in the newly blessed chapel waiting for the arrival of the image of La Salud. As the image was carried by Fray Selma and was placed at her new altar, chants of “Viva la Virgen! Viva La Salud!” echoed within the parish church and her new chapel.

The Recollects hope that the revival of the devotion to our Lady of Health in the country will help people to get closer and be healed through grace of God. And like our Blessed Mother, may the people imitate her as the foremost model of humility and faithfulness to God.