01/02/2026
VIVA LA VIRGEN! Today is the Solemnity of Nuestra Señora dela Candelaria, patroness of Jaro and of Western Visayas.
This miraculous image was found along the Iloilo River in the year 1587. Tradition says that when the foot-sized image was found by the fishermen, they could not initially carry it due to its weight. When they decided to bring it to Jaro, the image was carried lightly until it reached the church. It was placed in the niche found at the facade of the Cathedral, but the folks and devoted attested to its miraculous growth as years went by, thus to its transfer from the niche to the balcony. On February 21, 1981, during the Apostolic Visit of Pope Saint John Paul II, the Holy Father canonically crowned the image of Nuestra Señora dela Candelaria, making it as the only Marian Image in the Philippines crowned by a pope and saint himself.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, You are the Light of the world: we praise You, and ask You to guide our steps each day. Help us to love You and serve You faithfully, and to carry our daily cross with You. As I light this candle let it always remind me that You are our Light in darkness, our Protector in danger, and our saving Lord at all times.
Our Lady of Candles, give me a mother’s protection, for I need your watchful care. Comfort me in my discouragements, solace me in my fatigues, raise me after my falls, reward me for my successes. Our Lady of Candles, bearer of Jesus, the Light of the world, please obtain for me this favor ….. (mention your petitions) I shall always rely on your help, to be what Jesus wants me to be. I am his; I am yours, my good Mother! Amen.
