Fiesta de La Naval

Last Wednesday, October 4, the entire Catholic population of the Philippines started the observance of the Centennial of the Canonical Coronation of Our Lady of the Rosary — La Naval de Manila. The commemoration will last until October 14 at the usual venue, the Sto. Domingo Church. As we faithful all know, La Naval de Manila is a religious tradition we have inherited from the Spaniards. It was a celebration of a crucial naval victory that ensured not only of continued Spanish rule, but also the survival of the Catholic religion in our country.

Few people may remember the history behind La Naval de Manila. In 1646, a Dutch fleet consisting of 18 warships, heavily armed and manned by more than 800 men, were threatening an invasion of the Philippines. The protestant Dutch had previously engaged in a successful revolt to expel the Spaniards from the Netherlands. The battle of La Naval was actually a continuation of the European wars of religion spilling over to the Spanish colonies, the Philippines included. The locals only had two merchant galleons, which they hurriedly converted into warships, to face the superior Dutch naval fleet. What they lacked in firepower and manpower, however, they more than made up for with their faith. Realizing the enormous odds they were facing, the Filipino-Spanish soldiers continuously prayed the Rosary and did penance. They surrendered their fate completely to God and placed their endeavor under the patronage of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario and even vowed to walk barefoot to her shrine if they won the war.

Five battles were fought from Aparri to Mindoro between March 15 and October 4, 1646, and each battle had the same result; the victory of the two galleon ships. To fulfill the vow they made, the crew went on procession barefooted to the Sto. Domingo Church. The battles of La Naval were later on proclaimed by the Catholic Church as a victory of confirmed divine and Marian intercession; and that the miracles be celebrated, preached and held in festivities and to be recounted among the miracles wrought by the Lady of the Rosary for the greater devotion of the faithful.

Through the centuries, our country and people have undergone numerous changes and have been through many adversities, but somehow, we have always endured. The battles of La Naval should serve as an example and inspiration to all of us; that no matter what kind of adversity we may encounter, miracles can still happen if we have faith in our hearts. Today, we are facing a different kind of battle. But just as what had happened during the battles of La Naval, we pray for the intercession of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary so that peace, justice and prosperity may prevail in our country.