The Memory of Nuestra Senora de la Peregrina

Nuestra Senora de la Peregrina
V.O.T. Shrine, Sampaloc, Manila

For those who visit the V.O.T Church (Venerable Orden Terziera of the Franciscan Order) in Bustillos, Sampaloc, Manila that is dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua would came across to 
this unique image Mary, that of the Immaculate Conception under the aspect of a pilgrim. The Virgin’s head is crowned with a halo of twelve stars. She wears a white vestment and a blue cape. She stands on an orb and crushes beneath her heels the serpent. Her pilgrim advocation is depicted by the straw hat on her head and a wooden staff with a gourd of oil at the tip that she carries.

Our Lady of the Pilgrims recall the 2nd Joyful Mystery, the Visitation. The Virgin’s sojourn from her home at Nazareth to the hill country of Judea - home of her aged cousin Elizabeth and her equally aged husband, Zachariah. She made this tiresome and perilous journey to console and aid the saintly couple who where anticipating the birth of a child – St. John the Baptist.

The feast of the Nuestra Señora de la Peregrina is on the Third Sunday of advent. She is the patroness of the pilgrims, travelers, expectant mothers and childless couples, midwives, sick and health workers. Her image is now lovingly treasured and venerated at St. Anthony Shrine – V.O.T. Church in Bustillos, Sampaloc, Manila.

In 1783, the Franciscan Friars of the Province of San Gregorio Magno transferred the center of the Third Order of St. Francis of Assisi ( S.F.O. ) to Sampaloc. And in 1794, allowed the tertiary to build a chapel next to the Parish of Our Lady of Loreto. This was placed under the patronage of Nuestra Señora de la Peregrina and her image was installed in its main altar. This chapel became the scene of religious ceremonies in her honor. The feature of the devotion to Our Lady of Pilgrims was the annual procession which thousands attended.

On July 1880, the Chapel of the Venerable Orden Tercera or Venerable Order of Tertiary was greatly damaged by an earthquake. Rev. Fr. Pedro Flores, OFM started the initial repairs on the chapel. But it was under Rev. Fr. Ramon Cervices, OFM, that a totally new edifice was finished in 1888.

However, this sanctuary to the Blessed Virgin Mary was totally destroyed in the catastrophe of World War II. In the early days of February 1945 – during the Liberation of Manila, V.O.T chapel was gutted by fire. But thanks to the efforts of Rev. Fr. Jose Pamintuan – Parish Priest of Our Lady of Loreto, the image of the Peregrina was saved. For a time it occupied a temporary altar at the Priest’s Residence, sharing it with the miraculous image of Our Lady of Loreto.

After the war, Rev. Fr. Mariano Montero, OFM transferred the image and devotion of St. Anthony of Padua from its temporary refuge at the Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados Parish, Santa Ana, Manila to the ruins of V.O.T. Chapel in Sampaloc.

The new Shrine and Friary was completed and rededicated to St. Anthony of Padua in 1947 by His Eminence Rufino JSantos, D.D., Archbishop of Manila. From then on devotion to St. Anthony of Padua flourished in this new Shrine.

However, instead of allowing the ancient image to fade into oblivion, Fr. Montero gave the Peregrina a majestic throne high above the niche of St. Anthony in the main altar. She occupied this exulted position until the retablo was demolished in 1973 in accordance with the precepts of Vatican II. Rev. Fr. Francisco Reyes, OFM had the image moved to the right side niche near the ambo. In 1980, Rev. Fr.. Batazar Obico, OFM had the image of the Peregrina brought down and the image of Our Lady of Lourdes installed. It was the start of Our Lady of the Pilgrims’ painful exile.

First she was placed in the landing of the stairs of the belfry. Then in the solitary confines of the laundry room. But it was during these deplorable years that Bro. Fernando “Popong” Martinez and Bro. Dennis de Jesus, strove to keep the devotion to her alive. Every June 13 – Feast of St. Anthony, they would contribute their humble resources to bring her image on procession. But even this was discontinued.

During the term of Fr. Wilfredo Benito, OFM as rector of the Shrine (2001-2004), interest in the Nuestra Señora de la Peregrina resurfaced again. With the efforts of John Erwin B. Enriquez, Jesse C. Nell, German I. Malabanan and Juanito Ysrael, they were able to convince the friars to move the ancient image within the friary and allow it to join the procession of St. Anthony. Research made at University of Santo Tomas in España, Manila yielded the much needed documentation to validate the image’s antiquity. This prompted the Saint Anthony OFM Community to consider having the image returned inside the shrine.

The most coveted day arrived on December 8, 2003 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. After 23 years of senseless exile, the Virgen de la Peregrina was re-enthroned in the right side niche. In a simple yet meaningful ceremony, the image was brought to the throne amidst the singing of Salve Regina after which, it was incensed. In his homily during the Holy Mass, Fr. Benito introduced her to the faithful. He eloquently narrated the history of her devotion and encouraged all to have recourse to her. 

Equally devoted to Our Lady of the Pilgrims is Rev. Fr. Albert Marfil, OFM – SFO National Spiritual Director (2001-2007). It was he who recommended that the image no longer join the procession to avoid the 2004 accident on the Virgin’s fingers. It was under his tutelage that the regular cleaning and re-vesting of image was institutionalized. It was his earnest desire to have the image restored to its former beauty.

Currently efforts are being paved to have a Saturday Devotion in Honor of Nuestra Señora de la Peregrina. We therefore enjoin all Marian Devotees to pray for the cause and visit her frequently at St. Anthony Shrine – V.O.T. Church, Bustillos, Sampaloc, Manila.