Devotion to Mary more important than fancy parades, says priest

Tomorrow, December 8, Catholics will observe the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. In celebration of this, various images of the Blessed Virgin Mary are usually paraded in different parts of the country in her honor.

However, a priest Marian devotee explained that the procession is not really about the beautiful dresses or “carrozas” of the image; rather it’s about the devotion to the Blessed Mother.

“We see it as very grand because of the carrozas, the band and so on but it’s not about that,” said Fr. Melvin Castro of the Diocese of Tarlac.

“This is just the devotees way of expressing their love to the Blessed Mother. That’s why you see the images dressed beautifully and adorned with crown,” he added.

Castro stressed that the Blessed Virgin Mary is very simple.

The priest also explained that while the Blessed Virgin Mary have different titles, there should be no contest as to what image is the most beautiful or miraculous.

“There should be no contest which statue is the most beautiful or miraculous because they are all the same, the Blessed Virgin,” said Castro.

But the most important title of the Blessed Virgin, the priest said is that she is the Mother of the Son of God.

Yesterday, various Marian images were paraded around Intramuros, Manila for the annual Grand Marian Procession.

Organized by the Cofradia de la Inmaculada Concepcion Foundation and the Intramuros Administration (IA) every first Sunday of December, the event is a revival of the tradition that originated in Intramuros on December 8, 1619. Then a national celebration which ran for fifteen days, the event was launched at the Manila Cathedral.