Jessie Taylor
Nuestra Señora de la Purificación y la Candelaria, also known as Our Lady of Candles, is a venerated image of the Blessed Virgin Mary enshrined in the Jaro Cathedral in Iloilo City, Philippines. The statue is prominently known for carrying a candle and is locally known as the patroness of Jaro, Iloilo, and the entire Western Visayas region. The Feast of Our Lady of Candles, also known as the Jaro Fiesta, is an annual religious festival celebrated every February 2 and is considered one of the largest and most opulent Marian feasts in the Philippines.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Nuestra Señora de la Purificación y la Candelaria |
| Other Names | Our Lady of Purification and Candle, Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, Our Lady of the Candles, Ang Iloy of Western Visayas, National Shrine of the Our Lady of Candles, Jaro Cathedral |
| Location | Iloilo River, Jaro, Iloilo City, Panay Island, Philippines |
| History | First appeared in 1587 when found by fishermen in the Iloilo River. It was approved as a National Shrine in 2012. |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Depicts | Virgin Mary and Child Jesus carrying candles in their right hands |
| Material | Stone |
| Festival | Feast of Our Lady of Candles, also known as the Jaro Fiesta, celebrated annually on February 2 |
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What You'll Learn
Nuestra Señora de la Purificación y la Candelaria
The statue of Nuestra Señora de la Purificación y la Candelaria is made of limestone and is believed to have first appeared in 1587 when it was found by fishermen floating in the Iloilo River. It depicts Mary and the Child Jesus, both carrying candles, which symbolise Christ as the Light of the World and the light that will overcome the great darkness. The statue is also known for its increase in size over the centuries, with the Blessed Mother and Child growing larger while the candle has remained the same size.
The Feast of Our Lady of the Candles, also known as the Jaro Fiesta, is an annual religious festival celebrated on February 2 in Jaro, Iloilo City. It is considered one of the largest and most opulent religious festivals in the country, with the blessing of candles and a grand procession of the patroness, followed by the fiesta queen and her court. The morning mass is conducted in Hiligaynon, while the evening mass is celebrated in English.
The image of Nuestra Señora de la Purificación y la Candelaria holds a significant distinction as the only Marian figure to be canonically crowned by a pope without a papal legate in the Philippines and Asia. During his apostolic visit to the Philippines in February 1981, Pope John Paul II personally crowned the image, recognising its importance to the Catholic community in the region.
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The Feast of Our Lady of the Candles
The feast day itself features two pontifical masses. The morning mass, conducted in Hiligaynon, includes the blessing of candles brought by the faithful, followed by the yearly procession of the patroness, Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, and the fiesta queen and her court. The evening mass is celebrated in English. The festival begins earlier, on 24 January, with daily novena prayers and novenario masses that continue until 1 February.
The statue of Our Lady of the Candles, also known as Nuestra Señora de la Purificación y Candelaria, is a 16th-century Roman Catholic limestone image of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus, carrying candles in their right hands. It is customarily vested in gold cloth, with crowns adorning mother and son. The statue was discovered floating in the Iloilo River in 1587 by a group of fishermen who could not lift it due to its weight. It was eventually placed in the Jaro Cathedral, where it has remained ever since.
The feast is a significant religious and cultural event in the Philippines, with devotees from all over the world participating in the celebrations. It is a time for prayer, reflection, and the seeking of blessings and protection from Our Lady of the Candles, who is revered as a guide and a source of light and hope.
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The statue's first appearance
Nuestra Señora de la Purificación y la Candelaria, also known as Our Lady of Candles, is a venerated image of the Blessed Virgin Mary enshrined in Jaro Cathedral. It is the patroness of the Western Visayas region and Negros Occidental province. The statue first appeared in 1587 when a group of fishermen found it floating in the Iloilo River. Despite their efforts, the fishermen could not lift the statue due to its weight.
The statue, also known as Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, is made of limestone and utilises the Madonna and Child model. In this image, the Blessed Mother holds the Child Jesus and a candle, alluding to the prophecy of Simeon that her child will be the Light of the World. In church tradition, a candle symbolises Christ as the Light of the World and the light that will overcome the great darkness. The statue is prominently known for carrying a candle and is locally known as the patroness of Jaro, Iloilo.
The Jaro Cathedral, where the statue is enshrined, is also known as the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral and is located in the district of Jaro in Iloilo City on the island of Panay in the Philippines. The cathedral is a national shrine and is also known as the National Shrine of the Our Lady of Candles, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, and colloquially as Jaro Cathedral.
The Feast of Our Lady of the Candles, also known as the Jaro Fiesta, is an annual religious festival celebrated every February 2 in the district of Jaro. It is considered one of the largest Marian feasts in the country, featuring two pontifical masses and a grand procession highlighting the Fiesta Queen. The statue of Our Lady of Candles is canonically crowned, the only Marian figure to be given such stature in the Philippines.
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The Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral
The statue of Our Lady of Candles is prominently known for carrying a candle and is considered the patroness of Jaro, Iloilo, and the entire Western Visayas region. Devotion to Our Lady of Candles is deeply rooted in the district, attracting many visitors to the cathedral. The statue was first discovered in 1587 by fishermen who found it floating in the Iloilo River but were unable to lift it due to its weight. The statue's appearance led to the spread of devotion to Nuestra Señora de Candelaria in Mexico, Latin America, and the Philippines during the Spanish conquest.
The Feast of Our Lady of Candles, also known as the Jaro Fiesta, is an annual religious festival celebrated every February 2. It is considered one of the largest and most opulent Marian feasts in the country, attracting many devotees and tourists. The feast day features two pontifical masses: one in the morning, conducted in Hiligaynon, and another in the evening, celebrated in English. The blessing of candles and a grand procession led by the Fiesta Queen are also part of the festivities.
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The Virgin Mary and Child Jesus
Nuestra Señora de la Purificación y la Candelaria, or "Our Lady of Purification and Candle", is a venerated image of the Virgin Mary and Child Jesus enshrined in the Jaro Cathedral in Iloilo, Philippines. It is also known as Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, or Our Lady of Candles, and is the patroness of the Western Visayas region and Negros Occidental province. The statue is made of stone and depicts Mary and the Child Jesus carrying candles in their right hands, symbolising light and purification. The image also holds a globus cruciger in his left hand, symbolising Christ's reign over the Earth.
The statue of Our Lady of Candles is believed to have first appeared in 1587 when it was found by fishermen floating in the Iloilo River. However, they were unable to lift it due to its weight. The statue is the focus of an annual religious festival, the Feast of Our Lady of Candles, held every February 2nd in the district of Jaro. The feast is considered one of the largest and most opulent Marian feasts in the country, with a grand procession, blessing of candles, and two pontifical masses.
The Jaro Cathedral, also known as the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral or the National Shrine of the Our Lady of Candles, is located in the district of Jaro in Iloilo City. The original cathedral was built in 1874 but was destroyed by an earthquake in 1948. It was later repaired and fully restored by 1956. Pope Pius XII elevated Jaro to an archdiocese in 1951, and in 2012, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines officially declared it the National Shrine of Our Lady of Candles.
The image of Our Lady of Candles holds a special distinction as it was canonically crowned by Pope John Paul II during his visit to Iloilo City in 1981. It is the only Marian figure in the Philippines and Asia to receive such an honour without a papal legate. The statue of Our Lady of Candles is not just a religious icon but also a significant part of the cultural and historical fabric of Iloilo and the Western Visayas region.
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Frequently asked questions
The Lady of Candles, also known as Nuestra Señora de la Purificación y Candelaria, is located in the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral in the district of Jaro, Iloilo City, Philippines.
The Feast of Our Lady of Candles, also known as the Jaro Fiesta, is an annual religious festival celebrated on February 2nd in Jaro, Iloilo City. The feast includes the blessing of candles and a grand procession of the patroness, Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, followed by the fiesta queen and her court.
The Lady of Candles statue is made of stone and depicts the Blessed Virgin Mary holding a candle, symbolizing Christ as the Light of the World. The statue first appeared in 1587 when it was found floating in the Iloilo River by a group of fishermen who could not lift it due to its heavy weight.
