Papal Nuncio‘crowns’ Valenzuela’s Fatima image

THE National Pilgrim Image of Our Lady of Fatima, Valenzuela City’s patron, has been canonically crowned by the Vatican as the 55th Marian image in the Philippines, Mayor Weslie “Wes” Gatchalian announced on Monday.

Gatchalian said the canonical coronation was presided over by Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Charles John Brown, and was held at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Barangay Marulas on February 25.

Devotees, pilgrims, and parishioners witnessed the coronation at the parish of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, Diocese of Malolos, Gatchalian said.

“This momentous event marks the history of Valenzuela as the home of the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima,” he said.

Malolos Bishop Dennis Villarojo, Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula Jr., and 12 other bishops and archbishops joined the consecration.

During the eucharistic celebration, the papal decree on the coronation was read, followed by the blessing of the rosary and crown before bestowing upon the image of Our Lady of Fatima.

The papal nuncio was joined by the archbishops and bishops who also signed the Act of Coronation.

A canonical coronation is an institutional act from the Pope through a papal decree wherein an ornamental crown is bestowed upon an image of Christ or the Virgin Mary.

“The canonical coronation of the National Pilgrim Image of Our Lady of Fatima is celebrated not only by the city of Valenzuela but also by devotees from the whole country,” Gatchalian said. “This milestone shall inspire deeper faith and devotion amongst Filipinos, ultimately leading to a prayerful citizenry.”

The image of Our Lady of Fatima arrived in the country in 1984.

Two years later, it was at the forefront of the EDSA People Power Revolution.

In 1999, the image was formally turned over to the city in a shrine dedicated to her image — the Pambansang Dambana ng Mahal na Birhen ng Fatima.

In 2011, Our Lady of Fatima was declared as the patroness of Valenzuela through an ordinance.