THE VIEW FROM RIZAL

The City of Antipolo – the Pilgrimage Capital of the Philippines – had a special “pilgrim” come and visit the country’s only international Catholic religious shrine: The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

The special “pilgrim” is the Philippines’ best-known religious icon – the Black Nazarene of Quiapo. The image of the Christ carrying the cross spent some three days in the Cathedral of Antipolo, a visit which attracted thousands of devotees and raised the usual question, what is the image of the Nazarene doing in Antipolo?

What we know is that the visit of the Nazarene to Antipolo City is part of the annual celebration of the “traslacion” tradition. The feast of the Nazarene happens in January of each year. Before and after that feast day, the image travels to various parts of the country. This enables devotees who cannot make it to the celebration in Quiapo, Manila to pay homage to the Nazarene.

However, there is something special about the periodic visits of the Nazarene to the Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo.

In many ways, it is like the son checking on his mother and finding out how the latter is doing.

This spiritual perspective has a basis in history.

Historical accounts say that, during the second world war, foreign invaders turned Antipolo City into a garrison. The Antipolo Church of that time was used as a storage area for ammunition and weapons. Fearing for the safety of the image of the Virgin, church personnel hid her underground.

When combat intensified, the image of the Virgin was evacuated and hidden first in Angono, then in Pasig, and then at the home of a prominent Filipino family in Quiapo.

Later, it was enshrined at the Quiapo Church together with her son, the Nazarene. The Virgin of Antipolo remained at that Church until the end of the second world war.

She returned to her home in Antipolo in October of 1945 – her own version of the “traslacion.” With the passing of time, it became a tradition for the Virgin of Antipolo to visit her son, the Nazarene, in Quiapo. The Nazarene would return the visit and “check” on His Mother every year.

The story of the mother and son goes beyond mere tradition. Our friends from the Diocese of Antipolo point out that the story teaches a timeless lesson in faith by the patroness of the city.

The lesson is this: That Jesus, the Nazarene, in whom she took refuge in the face of danger, is our refuge, too, as we face the difficulties and sufferings present in our pilgrimage through life. As it is written in the Gospel, the Nazarene said, “Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11: 28).” On the other hand, the Nazarene’s visit to Antipolo to “check on His Mother” is a way of reminding us of Jesus’ timeless words of comfort. “I will be with you always,” Jesus said (Matthew 28:20).

The visit of the Nazarene to Antipolo ushered in the city’s annual Christmas celebration.

The celebration includes tomorrow’s festivities marking the Fiesta of Antipolo City which is also the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Among the highlights of the Christmas celebration is the “Simbang gabi” at the cathedral which starts on the evening of Dec. 15. Many families from nearby areas including the National Capital Region drive up to Antipolo during this time. The novena masses in preparation for the birth of our Lord at the Pilgrimage Capital provide them with an experience of this ritual in the traditional Filipino way, complete with band music, puto bumbong, and bibingka prepared the Antipolo way.

The relatively cold climate of Antipolo and the provincial atmosphere it has despite being a progressive city enable devotees to experience the Simbang Gabi in a solemn atmosphere.

The solemnity and peace help one hear the message of Christmas clearly.

That is the same message conveyed in the reciprocal visits between the images of the Nazarene and His Mother, the Virgin of Antipolo. We all need a refuge in these times of spiritual distress. We need to be reminded that even in life’s most difficult moments, we can count on a faithful God who never leaves us nor forsakes us.

Antipolo City invites every pilgrim in this life to come and be part of its Christmas celebration.

(For feedback, please email it to [email protected] or send it to Block 6 Lot 10 Sta. Barbara 1 cor. Bradley St., Mission Hills Subd., Brgy. San Roque, Antipolo City, Rizal.)