Travelblog Iloilo: The Jaro Cathedral and Nuestra Señora de La Candelaria

It has always been our tradition to visit the Jaro Cathedral every time we are in Iloilo City (in the Philippines). 

Pre-pandemic, we would cross the Iloilo Strait to Iloilo City from Bacolod City (in Negros Occidental, Philippines) because of the very popular Dinagyang Festival (read here) , the La Paz batchoy (read here), and of course, everyone's favorite, Roberto's siopao (read here)! 😃

And if we happen to be there on a Sunday, joining Ilonggos at the mass in the Cathedral is one reason. Another reason is a very delicious one: Balasan bingka sold at the side entrance of the Jaro Cathedral (read blog here).

(The miraculous Nuestra Senora de 

La Candelaria statue and Child Jesus)

(She is the only Marian image in the Philippines crowned by a pope. The Virgin and the Child Jesus are adorned with gold and light blue vestments.

According to legend, the statue of the Virgin (now displayed at the Cathedral balcony) was only a foot-tall limestone found by fishermen floating along the Iloilo River in 1587. They were probably bewildered because limestone does not float. As they carried it, it was heavy but became lighter when they decided to bring it towards the Jaro church as instructed by the bishop that time.

The image of the Blessed Virgin carrying the Child Jesus is now encased with thick glass on the Cathedral's balcony where she and her Son look after Iloilo and its people day and night.

(The prayer room is full of orange candles

lighted by devotees as they whisper to the Virgin

their prayers of thanksgiving, devotion, and requests) 

She was crowned by Pope Saint John Paul II on February 21, 1981, and has been venerated by millions of devotees all these years, including me and my family.👪

On February 2, 2020, we were able to join the thousands of Ilonggos and the faithful from the neighboring provinces, who all lifted up their prayers of thanksgiving and supplications during the annual celebration of the feast of the Nuestra Señora de La Candelaria, or Our Lady of the Candles.

                      (The Candelaria prayer)

(A very colorful stained glass window 

of Prophet Simon)

Every year, the color of candles of the Candelaria changes. It was orange in 2020; it is white/blue in 2021.

Although we will not be able to be there in Jaro, Iloilo City, this year, we join everyone in spirit as we all raise our lighted candles in prayer for Her intercession in these difficult times. 🙏

(The Prayer Room)

          (The centuries-old Cathedral belfry)

(Devotees queuing to go up the Cathedral balcony)

Happy fiesta sang Nuestra Señora de La Candelaria sa tanan nga taga-Jaro!😊

 

My mom at the 2020 Candelaria 

with her orange candles)

Note: Photos taken on February 2, 2020😎