The Feast of Our Lady of Remedies

Tomorrow, November 16, will be a special day for all Filipino mothers. Every year, on the third Sunday of November, mothers recovering from childbirth or with sick children, would flock to the Malate Church to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Remedies. Also known as the Nuestra Señora De Los Remedios, the image, which was said to be very miraculous, attracted many devotees. “Women pilgrims carrying babies” would come to the church to ask for blessings. Through the passing of time, the practice eventually became customary and the image came to be known as the Virgin of Remedies and Patroness of Mothers and Children. Devotees would come to the church and offer gifts and prayers in thanksgiving for the favors they received.

The statue was first installed in the Malate Church by Rev. Juan Guevara, O.S.A. in 1624, from Andalucia, Spain. Malate, during the Spanish colonial period, was an open space with a small fishing village. The center of activity was concentrated around the Malate Church. When the Americans came, urban planners turned Malate into the newest and most exclusive residential area for American families. American expatriates and old Spanish mestizo families eventually populated the district. Our family used to have a house at the corner of Remedios St. and Taft Ave. but it was totally destroyed after the liberation. We can remember that time, Manila was the most damaged city next only to Warsaw.

Included in the damage was the Malate Church. Unfortunately, the statue of Our Lady of Remedies was destroyed also. Irish Columbian Fathers, however, ordered the making of a new statue. The new statue was made as close as possible to the original. It stands straight, plain and childlike, with no baby in hand. Instead, its hands are extended forward as if in the act of accepting an offering. This statue is the one that is now enshrined at the Malate Church.

The devotion to Our Lady of Remedies has been a time-honored tradition. The title was given to our Blessed Virgin Mary by the devotees who attributed their fast recovery through Her intercession. She has made Malate Church a historic place of worship of such character where our kababayans have easily found God and with many answered prayers, made them not to forget Him.