Devotion to Our Lady of Manaoag was already deeply rooted in local faith even before formal recognition by the Catholic Church, Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula said during the centennial celebration of the image’s pontifical coronation on April 22.
Advincula stressed in his homily that the significance of Manaoag lies in its origins, shaped by tradition and lived spirituality among devotees.
“Mary herself had already claimed this place. By her presence and her request, she has consecrated not only this hill, but also this town and its people,” he said, referring to accounts of a 1610 apparition seen by a farmer.
He emphasized that among Marian devotions in the country, Manaoag stands out for its “unique origin and profound spirituality,” pointing to how the devotion developed organically within the community long before institutional recognition.
The centennial marks 100 years since the image was granted pontifical coronation in 1926, following a decree from Pope Pius XI in 1925—a formal acknowledgment of its widespread veneration.
Church officials said the milestone highlights the enduring strength of Marian devotion in the Philippines, with Manaoag remaining one of the most visited pilgrimage sites.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Marcos joined the celebration, alongside Apostolic Nuncio Charles Brown and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas.
Advincula urged the faithful to sustain the devotion through prayer, particularly the rosary, as an expression of continued faith and connection to the tradition.
