Un pueblo amante de Maria. A people in love with Mary. Isang bayang sumisinta kay Maria. Yan ang titulong ibinigay sa bansang Pilipinas. Sa kasaysayan ng simbahan lalu na ng simbahan dito sa Pilipinas, si Maria ay talagang di pwedeng mawala. Mary in the history of the Philippines could never be lost. Obviously even in the yearly events in the country the name Mary, the presence of the Blessed Mother could never be forgotten. From January especially at May, October and December, devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Philippines is very seen in the activities that the Marian devotees are doing. To give examples, during April 30 to May 1 there is a procession in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary the so-called, "Alay-lakad" a penitential walk from Quiapo Church to the Antipolo Cathedral with the Image of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage. The whole month of May, when every parish is having their own Flores de Maria. The Turumba festival at Pakil Laguna which has 7 processions in honor of the 7 sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The La Naval processions held every second Sunday of October at Santo Domingo Church at Quezon City. The Intramuros Grand Marian Procession held every first Sunday of December. In Pangasinan, Cebu and many more places and events in the Philippines, devotion and love to the Blessed Virgin Mary is very obvious. But last June 8, 2013 in all Cathedrals, Parishes and places of worship the Solemn Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary was held. The Act of consecration does not mean the we worship Mary, that we treat Mary as a god. But the act of consecration really means that we go to Mary in order that Mary will bring us to Jesus. We are asking the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary that the Filipino Nation may be brought to Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Act of Consecration does not only mean continuing the devotional practices in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I'm not trying to say, na itigil yan. No!!! Ipagpatuloy yan!! Pero the calling of this Act of Consecration is this, "Continue the Marian devotion, but let us add actions." Actions that are seen in our lives. Actions that will let others see Christ in us. Ang pagtatalaga ng bansa sa kalinislinisang puso ni Maria ay isang napakalaking responsibilidad. Isang responsibilidad na tumatawag sa atin na mamuhay bilang isang totoong Kristyano. Responsibilidad na tumatawag sa atin na magkaroon tayo ng puso, ng pagkataong kagaya ni Maria. Oo, we have our devotions, but what about the fruits of those devotional actions that we do? The fruits are these, magkaroon ng pusong kagaya ni Maria. Isang pusong tanging laman lamang ay si Hesus at ang pagsunod sa kalooban ng Ama. Magkaroon ng pagkataong kagaya ni Maria na kahit mahirap gagawin lahat nang pamamaraan para lamang magawa ang kalooban ng Diyos. Sa totoo lang naman, bilang isang Kristyano at lalu na bilang isang bansang nakatalaga sa Kalinislinisang puso ni Maria walang puwang ang kasalanan. Walang puwang ang mga bagay na di maka-Diyos, di maka-tao at di maka-buhay. Dahil ang isang tunay at totoong bansang nakatalaga sa Kalinislinisang puso ni Maria ay isang bansa, sabihin na din nating isang tao na ang itini-tibok ng puso ay si Hesus at pagsunod sa kalooban ng Ama. Naway lahat ng Marian devotional practices na isinasagawa natin sa ating bansa at ang Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary ay magbunga sa ating buhay at makita sa ating mga gawa. Mary through your intercession make Jesus as the every heart beat of our lives.Mary Queen of the Philippines
Pray for us!!!
