The Catholic Defender: The Virgin Mary known in the Philippines as Our Lady of the Rosary, La Naval de Manila
- Donald Hartley
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
The phrase "The Virgin Mary Responds to Desperate Prayers in Manila church approved" likely refers to the venerated devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary, La Naval de Manila, a centuries-old Catholic tradition in the Philippines where miraculous interventions, especially during naval battles and crises, are attributed to Mary's intercession, leading to official church recognition and massive annual celebrations at the Santo Domingo Church, highlighting faith, hope, and divine protection in desperate times.
The devotion stems from the 1646 naval victory against the Dutch, where Filipino Catholics prayed to the Virgin Mary for protection, a victory the local bishop declared a miracle attributed to her intercession.
It honors the 1646 naval victory against the Dutch, which was declared a miracle by the Archdiocese of Manila in 1662.
The Church officially recognized this event as miraculous, with various Popes honoring the statue, including a Canonical Coronation in 1907, solidifying its spiritual importance.
Five popes have honored the statue, including Pope St. Pius X, who bestowed a canonical crown in 1906.
The Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City, Manila, serves as the National Shrine for Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of La Naval de Manila.
Filipinos deeply revere Mary as "Mama Mary," showing strong maternal devotion, especially during times of need.
The annual La Naval festivities celebrate these victories, reinforcing hope and trust in God's mercy through Mary's guidance.
In 2026, the status of major Marian devotions in Manila and the surrounding regions remains focused on long-standing traditions, specifically Our Lady of La Naval de Manila which is officially church-approved.
This is one of the most significant and officially recognized Marian devotions in the Philippines
Devotees continue to flock to the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary (Santo Domingo Church) in Quezon City, seeking her intercession for personal and national needs.
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