Thousands of devotees filled Pangasinan on Wednesday to mark the centennial of the canonical coronation of Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Manaoag, turning the historic pilgrimage site into a sea of prayer, devotion, and quiet reflection on unity, faith, and compassion.
The celebration at the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag drew President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos-Araneta, and Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III, who joined devotees in seeking guidance, blessings, and protection.
President Marcos said the occasion offered a moment to reflect on the virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the call to live with humility and service.
“On this sacred occasion, we pray for the grace to embrace her virtues, to find her guidance as a beacon of light in moments of trial, and to strengthen our devotion by nurturing hope as we journey together in faith,” he said.
“May this celebration deepen our bond as a people called in this blessed place of Manaoag and renew our commitment to serve you and our neighbors with love and compassion,” he added.
During the solemn Mass, the President and First Lady took part in the reenactment of the coronation of the image of Our Lady of Manaoag and the Infant Jesus, a symbolic highlight of the commemoration. The rite was led by Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles John Brown, assisted by Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas.
The original canonical coronation took place on April 21, 1926, presided over by Most Rev. Guillermo Piani, then Apostolic Nuncio of Pope Pius XI to the Philippines.
Our Lady of Manaoag is the third Marian image in the country to receive a canonical coronation, following Our Lady of La Naval de Manila in 1907 and Our Lady of Peñafrancia de Naga in 1924.