La Naval and Our Lady of Fatima

October is the month of Mary in the Philippines where cities and towns celebrate their traditional La Naval. It is a historical fact throughout the centuries that Mary’s powerful intercession is always available when sought. That was felt in the Battle of Lepanto (1571) and here in 1646 when Dutch and English privateers wanted to erase Catholicism and change it to Protestantism.

By tradition, congregational praying of the rosary is held everyday somewhere in every Diocese and Archdiocese this month as a show of respect to a mother who knows our daily struggles, despairs, defeats, frustrations, fears and tears. She feels what we feel for she was once like us.

When pregnant, in the middle of the night, she escaped together with Joseph for the safety of her Son. She knows the feeling on how to be homeless, unwelcome, persecuted, poor, effects of social injustices and cruelty of man against man.

When everything fails or come to an end, an ever-loving Mother is always around to help and love. That is a motherly instinct.

Today, October 13 is also the 93rd anniversary of Mary’s last apparition in Cova da Iria, Fatima before the three Portuguese shepherds, Lucia, Jacinta and Franciso

In these difficult times of the Catholic Church of the Philippines where her moral teachings are under attack, we invoke Mary’s intercession that once more, she arms us with sufficient weapon to enlighten our minds on pressing issues that attack the integrity of the family and the dignity of life.

Prayers work. They can move mountains. With my personal unflinching love, trust and confidence in you, Mommie Mary, amidst the sufferings, I lean on your shoulder in total defeat and surrender seeking for your comfort and affection. After all of “these”, I will run to you, smiling with open arms and sincerely cry “Thank you!”

Ora pro nobis Sancta Dei Genitrix -30-