The original image of Our Lady of Montserrat was carved in wood, the statue is in a sitting position and measures slightly over three feet in height. The right hand of the Virgin holds a sphere, while the other is extended in a graceful gesture. His right hand is raised in blessing; His left hand holds an object that resembles a large pine cone
Unlike many old statues which are black because of t
he kind of wood or the effects of the original paint, the dark color of Our Lady of Montserrat is attributed to the innumerable candles and lamps used in its veneration. Because of this dark color it is affectionately called La Moreneta, or The Dark Little One. Thus, the Virgin of Montserrat is classified among the Black Madonnas. The Virgin of Montserrat was declared the Patron Saint of the Diocese of Catalonia by Leo XIII. The statue has always been one of the most celebrated images in Spain. In Iloilo City, the statue of our Lady of Montserrat can be found in Gran Plains Subdivision, M.V. Hechanova Jaro, Iloilo City, thus the Church is called
The Our Lady of Montserrat Parish. The Parish was established in the year 1988 where Rev. Oscar Andrada was the first Parish Priest and followed by Rev. Santiago Silva. In the year 1994-2002, Rev. Msgr. Sinforoso Padilla, serves as the 3rd parish priest. In 2002-2009, Rev. Agapito Losaria became the 4th parish priest. In the year 2009-2017, Rev. Excel Jaen was installed as the 5th parish priest and in 2017 to present, Rev. Evaristo Ablona was assigned as the 6th parish priest. A historian wrote: "In all ages the sinful, the suffering, the sorrowful, have laid their woes at the feet of Our Lady of Montserrat, and none have ever gone away unheard or unaided." Our Lady of Montserrat, Pray for us.
