The Lady In Our Battles

When I was in Grade 3, I was very eager to come home after class to watch either "Super Book" or "Flying House" - two animated shows on the Bible which were in vogue during those times as "Voltes 5" and "Mazinger Z" were banned by the Marcos dictatorship. I was however upset most of the time as I, together with other younger cousins, would have to wait for our elder cousins to be dismissed from their lessons (or extra-curricular activities) before we could reach home. This could be almost six in the evening!

I began to get used to this. To divert my attention from the long wait, I played alot with other cousins. Soon, playing became drab as well. One time, my attention was caught by what's inside Santo Domingo Church which was adjacent to where I was studying then, Angelicum School.

The high altar was bedecked with flowers and the image of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of La Naval de Manila was located in what is called 'baldachino'. Mass was being said when I entered the big church. I decided to stay and participate. There was a kind of magnet in that church that made me come back the following school days.

I learned from my elders that a Novena was being held in Mary's honor in preparation for her feast which is annually held every second Sunday of October.

I never thought that I would spend the next 2 years of primary school in another institution. However, when we came back to Manila and I studied in Letran, I was reunited with Santo Domingo Church, but most especially with Our Lady of La Naval.

At first, I felt it was just compulsory, but later on, I felt no compulsion to attend the Novena Mass and/or procession.

And though I am away from that church (again!), I still have my thoughts on that place and on the La Naval festivities.

I keep on praying the rosary in response to Our Lady's call.

As she was with our forebears when they fought against the Dutch invaders in Manila Bay centuries ago, I believe that she is with us in the personal and social battles that we have to face.

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We would like to welcome the Parishes of the Divine Infant of Prague and Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, both in Notttingham, UK for being part of our website as one of our useful links. Our web too is blessed to have been included as a link to their own website.