A spectacle for the spirit

MANILA, Philippines - Creeds, ritual, religion and different theologies are all derived from man’s yearning for the vast reality beyond  and flow in the thousand different forms, fertilizing many fields, calming many communities, refreshing tired people and, at last, carrying people to the ocean of bliss,” says Indian spiritual leader Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

While nonbelievers will decry religion as another opiate to calm the restive masses — a means of diverting attention from glaring social inequities — the pious see it as a way of amplifying hope, fueling optimism, and gaining new resolve to work towards making things better. In the Philippines where the Catholic faith is thoroughly intertwined with culture, it is not surprising that religious rituals such as those that show devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary have become celebrations of pomp, emotion and affection.

This year, on the first Sunday of December, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception will be especially memorable for children living in impoverished areas. As it has done since its inception in 1980, the Cofradia de la Immaculada Concepcion Foundation is sponsoring the First Holy Communion ceremony for 500 children. For several months, public school students from Grades 3 to 6 residing at the Baseco compound in the Port Area of Manila have been spiritually prepared for the important Roman Catholic rite through catechism lessons

La Immaculada Concepcion Mater Purisima of the Intramuros Administration

 “We are adhering to our mission of helping the poor and bringing the devotion to the masses,” says Conrado A. Escudero, board director of the Cofradia de la Inmaculada Concepcion Foundation and chairman of the Comite de Festejos. Recognizing that the added expense of special clothes for that holy occasion is beyond the reach of families living a hand-to-mouth existence, certain members of their organization have made it their mission to make the Sacrament of the Eucharist even more unforgettable for the children by giving them new outfits and shoes. In addition other members of the Cofradia provide food and drinks, or give gifts of bags, school supplies, prayer books, rosaries and religious medals.

 Apart from First Holy Communion Mass that will be held at the Manila Cathedral, however, the yearly celebration includes a grand Marian procession around Intramuros. This time, about 80 images of the Blessed Virgin Mary venerated all over the Philippines are expected to be part of the parade.

“Intramuros was once the religious center of Manila,” says Conrado Escudero. He explains that during the Spanish colonial period, the procession was an important mainstay of the Blessed Virgin’s feast day, when even the military troops participated in the affair. However, World War II and the devastation of Intramuros effectively put an end to the religious festivities.

A salute from the AFP major command model cadets

In 1980 and at the instigation of historian Dr. Jaime Laya who then headed the Intramuros Administration, the religious tradition was successfully revived. On its second year, the Hermana Mayor (or overall coordinator expected to shoulder all deficits incurred during the feast day), was Imelda “Meldy” Cojuangco whose idea it was to form the Cofradia. She also pledged to henceforth provide the clothes, socks and shoes of all the first communicants.

“My devotion to the Blessed Mother started as a young child of three or four, when I would pick sampaguita flowers from the garden to offer to her,” says Cojuangco. She shares that a beautiful Marian image she fondly calls Nuestra Senora de las Flores is kept in her room, and she derives comfort and strength by praying the rosary three times a day.

In frail health after a serious illness some years ago, Imelda Cojuangco is unable to attend the festivities in Intramuros. Nevertheless, the devotion and the goals of the Cofradia to bring people closer to the Virgin Mary remain close to her heart. “Most of our venerated images will leave their homes and join us on that special Sunday on richly decorated carrozas and accompanied by a multitude of devotees,” Cojuangco says. “I like to believe that with the Marian procession in Intramuros, the Cofradia has helped intensify devotion to the Blessed Mother and contributed to the easing of social anxieties particularly for families burdened by the separation of one or both parents. We pray that our mother will cast a loving eye on those who toil overseas.”

The Cofradia sponsors First Holy Communion for 500 children every year.

More than just a social organization, the Cofradia is group of prayerful men and women who have monthly recollections. Likewise, they go on pilgrimages to different Marian sites, donate to welfare organizations and prisons, raise funds to build houses for the less fortunate, and work tirelessly to restore the faith.

“A lot of it is thanksgiving for miracles,” says Lulu Tesoro- Castaneda, vice president of the organization. Apart from Imelda Cojuangco who overcame a serious ailment, the members of Cofriada have their stories to tell. There is Conrado Escudero who worried about a rally disrupting the religious festivities, and instead witnessed the minor miracle of seeing the demonstrators peacefully joining them in prayer instead.

There is Marietta Santos, previously a hermana mayor and currently a member of Cofriada’s board of directors who related that her parents, childless for 11 years, prayed to Our Lady of Lourdes before she was born. (“I asked my mother why I wasn’t named Lourdes and she told me: If I get mad at you I don’t want to desecrate Our Lady’s name.”)

There is also the under-appreciated miracle of prayers seemingly unanswered. “You will not get specific petitions if these will not be good for you,” Cor Yulo Ebdalin, one of the three hermanas mayores this year, is convinced.

Imelda Cojuangco : “I like to believe that with the Marian procession in Intramuros, the Cofradia has helped intensify devotion to the Blessed Mother and contributed to the easing of social anxieties.” Photos by Fernan Nebres

 For culture and history buffs, there is the fascination of numerous beautifully adorned Marian images in various representations, and the wonder of prayer through song and dance and the merriment that accompanies religious festivals. With this comes the minor miracle of realizing and appreciating anew that one is blessed with a rich cultural patrimony. The spectacle is good for the spirit.

Schedule of Activities for the 2011 Grand Marian Procession: Nov. 30, Dec. 1 and 2 (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) Triduum of Masses 11:30 a.m. at the Manila Cathedral, Intramuros; Dec. 3 (Saturday) First Holy Communion Mass 10 a.m. at the Manila Cathedral; Dec. 4 (Sunday Hermanas Mayores Mass) 2 p.m.; Grand Marian Procession 4 p.m.

Seated from left are Bootsie C. Violago, 2012 hermana mayor; Imelda O. Cojuangco, founding chairman; and Rory E. Eizmendi, president; of Cofradia de la Inmaculada Concepcion Foundation. Standing are Conrado A. Escudero, board director and chairman, Comite de Festejos; Lulu T. Castañeda, vice president; Marietta P. Santos, board director; Karen S. Macasaet, committee member; Lory Yulo, 2011 hermana mayor; Baby Javelosa, 2011 hermana mayor; and Cor Yulo Ebdalin, 2011 hermana mayor.