Marian devotion is making a comeback in the Philippines

In the city of Las Piñas, Philippines, a devotion that had almost disappeared is making a comeback. St Joseph Parish, home to the world-famous bamboo organ, is also a shrine to the image of Our Lady of Consolation and of the Belt. The community has long venerated this image in its midst, well before the parish church was built in 1795.

It was a priest, Saint Ezekiel Moreno, who first encouraged this devotion, because the Virgin of Consolation was the patroness of his religious order, the Augustinian Recollects. And this Virgin continues to be their source of hope and strength today.

Recently, thanks to the efforts of the current priest, Father Auguste Pulido, the image has been restored, and many faithful participated in a preparatory novena for her feast on September 4th, celebrated by Augustinian priests who are familiar with the history of this devotion. The Mass offered on September 4, 2019, was celebrated by Bishop Teodoro Bacani, and followed with a procession of the image, which was exposed to public veneration after years of being forgotten.

Story contributed by Marco Frederico Dalma, A Moment with Mary reader from the Philippines, in September 2019