The "CALL" That Started It All
According the tales and legends, in 1610, a man who was walking home heard a Lady’s mysterious voice. He looked around and saw the radiant Lady with a rosary in her right hand and a Child on her left as she stood on a treetop. She instructed the young man to build a church. The man told the people of the apparition, and soon, on the spot where the Lady appeared, a chapel was built. From the Virgin Mary's call or "taoag", the term "Manaoag" was coined and it remained the name of the town. In both Pangasinan and Ilocano dialects, "Manaoag" means "to call".
Nowadays, thousands of people flock to the Church everyday as a response to the Virgin Mary's call. People are also keep coming to the Church to thank her for the answered prayers.
The Statue and the Church' Architectural Design
The statue of Our Lady of The Rosary of Manaoag is a 17th-century Roman Catholic ivory image of The Blessed Virgin Mary with The Child Jesus enshrined at the high altar of the Basilica. It was brought from Spain via Acapulco in the early 17th century to the Philippines by Padre Juan De San Jacinto.
The church' architectural design is influenced by Spanish-Romanesque with a little touch of German and Italian Renaissance architectural composition. A big octagonal dome surmounts at the middle of a cross-shaped structure. At the center of convergence of the church is the image of Our Lady of Manaoag where it appears floating in the middle of a wooden altar. Our Lady of Manaoag is flanked left to right by two well known saints. To the left, it is Saint Dominique of Guzman and to the right, she appears to be guarded by Saint Francis of Asissi.
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| Top view of the Our Lady of Manaoag Church forming a cross-shaped structure |
The main features of the facade of the church, on each pilaster at the lower section are topped by the statues of St. Vincent Ferrer, St. Margaret of Hungary, St. Catherine of Sienna and St. Dominic of Guzman. The doors of the main entrance are decorated with an engraved Dominican insignia. Set between the church and the convent, the bell tower measures approximately 32 feet in height whose summit is cappped by a white cross.
Several improvements were done on this church until it was destroyed by the earthquake of 1832. the church was reconstructed, improved and was damaged again during the World War II.
The Church's three-level facade has superimposed piers on the first and second levels with the third level designed as a small temple. The church has stood for centuries, enduring degradation brought about by time. The parish though, has maintained the structure by restoring it once in a while. For its Diamond Anniversary, the church underwent repainting. (read more, CLICK HERE)
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| The Interior of the Church |
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| The octagonal dome. |
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| Clockwise From above: St. Martin De Porres, the patron saint of mixed-race people, and those seeking for interracial harmony; Colored glass windows that added aesthetic value to the church' architectural design; Murals at the ceiling; Chandelier at the Church' ceiling; The church' thick buttresses that protects the structure from earthquakes and other disasters |
From SHRINE to BASILICA
The Shrine of the Our Lady the Rosary of Manaoag, one of the country’s favorite pilgrimage sites, has been elevated into a Basilica in a ceremony on July 22, 2011 which was witnessed by more than 100 Archbishops and Bishops, church and government leaders and devotees. A Basilica is a church with certain privileges conferred on it by the Pope. The shrine which will be called the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag, is one of the few Basilicas in the Philippines (13 as of this writing. see list, click here!).
The Eucharistic celebration launched the Special Bond of Spiritual Affinity of the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag with the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome. On June 21, 2011, His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, and Cardinal Bernard Francis Law of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major canonically approved Papal indulgence to pilgrim visitors to the shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag.
The shrine’s elevation to a basilica recognizes the many miracles and extraordinary events that have taken place over centuries, inspiring greater devotion to the Lady of Manaoag, a title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Read More, CLICK HERE!
Blessing and Kiss to the Virgin Mary
It has been a practice that after the mass, devotees would go in front of the Altar and wait for the priest for the blessing of religious relics, other articles or even the sick people. Blessing of vehicles and other religious articles are also performed at the left side of the Church after each mass. Holy water is also given to those who have bottles.
A visit to The Our Lady of Manaoag Church is not complete without touching and kissing the relic of Virgin Mary especially those who are coming from far places. Behind the altar is a mini-chapel where visitors can touch the image’s mantle.
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| Light queue during weekdays. |
In order to avoid long queue during Sundays, it is recommended to visit the Our Lady of Manaoag on weekdays. The Church perform masses every day until 12 noon. The devotees can also drop their wishes and petition letter at the designated box.
The Candle Gallery and the Rosary Garden
Complete your visit to the Our Lady of Manaoag Church by lighting candles at the candle gallery. Floating candles are also available aside from the traditional candle sticks. Better if you have brought with you candles as the ones being sold there are a little pricey. But if you are generous enough, you will not think of the price, as the proceeds goes to the development and maintenance of the Church and the other facilities. Don't forget to pray the "Prayer Before Lighting The Candle"
At the back of the church (rightside), you can find The Our Lady of Manaoag Rosary Garden. It is a place where devotees can pray the rosary with life-sized statues arranged according to the mystery. Each mystery you will pass on will transport you back to the Life of Jesus Christ.
Inside the Garden, you will find serenity and peace within as you recollect with God and its wonders. Lush greenery will surely renew your body and soothe your spirit. Gazebos and concrete chairs are also available inside that provide shades and seats. However, be mindful of the rules and regulations set for using/visiting the Rosary Garden. The guidelines is displayed at the entrance. There is also a donation box at the entrance for those who are generous enough to spare their blessings. Proceeds will be used in the maintenance and development of the Church and its facilities.
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| Clockwise: One of the many chapels located beside the church; A shop located at the exit of the Chapel at back of the altar where devotees touch the Virgin Mary's image. Here visitors can shop for books, candles and other religious articles for takehome as souvenirs; The Museum that houses facts, records and important things related to the Our Lady of Manaoag Church; Image of Jesus Christ at the cross in one of the mysteries inside the Rosary Garden. |
How To Get There
The Our Lady of Manaoag Church is approximately 200 kilometers North of Manila accessible to all land vehicles. For commuters coming from Metro Manila, take Dagupan Bus bound to Dagupa with terminal at EDSA Cubao, QC. They have daily trips from 1:00am to 10:30pm, with 15 minutes intervals. Fare is P360.00 (as of May, 2014). Victory Liner Bus - Cubao Terminal also offer trip to Manaoag every Sunday only at 4:15am. Fare is P360.00 (as of May, 2014). These buses will drop you off at the Church.
You can take Dagupan Bus when returning to Cubao or you may wish to explore the beautiful province of Pangasinan with its happy people, delicious foods, awesome culture, beaches and other natural wonders. Just ask the locals and they will be glad to assist you.
If you are using a private vehicle, take the NLEX towards Mabalacat exit and turn at SCTEX Exit. Upon exiting at SCTEX, you will pass by Tarlac City, Gerona, Paniqui, Moncada and San Manuel through the Mc Arthur Highway. You will be entering the Province of Pangasinan after the town of San Manuel, Tarlac. Drive along to Rosales, Villasis, Urdaneta City and Binalonan Junction. At Binalonan Junction, turn left and drive towards Manaoag Church.
Don't forget to take home goodies for your loved ones from Manaoag like Tupig, Bukayo, Puto Calasiao and other Pangasinan delicacies available at the side and front of the Church
Author's Note: I am a devotee of The Our Lady of Manaoag. I dedicate this blog to Her as my way of thanking the Lord for giving me this wonderful talent. I also want the world know of her miracles.
I hope you will be able to visit The Basilica of The Our Lady of The Rosary of Manaoag and see it yourself the miracles she bring to Her people.
Wikipedia (Read Here)
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