Sandigan Kasaysayan: GAUDE VIRGO GLORIOSA – A Look into the Ministry of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Salambao, Obando, Bulacan

Gaude Virgo Gloriosa: 
A Look at the Ministry of the National Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Concepcion de Salambao, Obando, Bulacan
March 25, 2024

SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF THE OBANDO NATIONAL SHRINE

This March 25th, the Parish of San Pascual Baylon in Obando, Bulacan celebrates the anniversary of its designation as a national shrine. As Manila Archbishop José Cardinal Advincula said in his homily: "And so the bishops of the Philippines collectively recognized the depth and strength of your faith in God, as well as the rich history of your intense devotion to the Blessed Virgin and to the saints.”

This celebration is lined up with some of the most unique parish and shrine events of the past two years. In 2023, the shrine celebrated the 260th year of encountering the original image of the Blessed Virgin Mary called “Nuestra Señora de la Concepcion”, which was caught by a Salambao or a type of lift net used by native fisherman in the Philippines. That's why over time, it was called "Milagrosa Ymahen de Nuestra Seṅora de la Concepcion de Sarambao" according to the book of Franciscan friar Felix De Huerta. From this discovery, the parish of Obando recognized three patrons: San Pascual Baylon, Santa Clara de Asis and the Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Concepcion de Salambao which is the current title of the image. They are the famous "triumvirate" mentioned by Dr. Jose Rizal in Chapter Six of Noli me Tangere.

In the year 2024, two important commemorations will take place in the church. First, the 270th year of the establishment of the parish and its dedication to San Pascual Baylon will be held on April 29. There was a patronage of the Franciscan layman Saint Pascual because he was a revered devotee of the Holy Eucharist and his name Baylon (Spanish: bailón), would be a reference to the saint's "dance of joy" in front of a statue of Dear Mother 
Also, on December 12 will be held the 20th year of the awarding of the Episcopal Coronation to the image of Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Concepcion de Salambao. It is considered to be the first episcopal coronation that took place in the Diocese of Malolos because it has a decree signed by the Most High. Jose F. Oliveros in the year 2004.

THE "SHRINE MINISTRY" OF THE NATIONAL SHRINE

In preparation for becoming a national shrine, the Church of Obando intends to implement the launch of the "Shrine Ministry" in line with the teachings of the Catholic Church regarding shrines found in the Apostolic Letter of Pope Francis "Sanctuarium in Ecclesia" launched in 2017 .It is said here that the Pope wanted to have an "organic ministry of the shrines as driving forces of the new evangelization" (Sanctuarium in Ecclesia, 5e.). 

That's why on December 19, 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, the Shrine of Obando launched their "Shrine Ministry" which was developed by the then Parish Priest and Rector, Father Virgilio C. Ramos and blessed by Lubhang Kgg. Dennis C. Villarojo. According to the decree of appointment of the said ministry:

"This council is guaranteed by Canon 1234 of the 1987 Codex Iuris Canonici which ensures that the shrine "gives more abundantly to the faithful through the zealous proclamation of the word of God, the appropriate promotion of liturgical life especially through of the celebration of the Eucharist and of penance, and the cultivation of approved forms of popular piety" (§ 1) and that "the offerings of popular art and piety should be kept on display in shrines or nearby places and guarded safely.” (§ 2) In addition, it will also implement the principles issued by Pope Francis in accordance with the shrines in the New Evangelization through his apostolic letter motu proprio, Sanctuarium sa Ecclesia, which celebrates the third year of promulgation today.”

According to the Statutes of the National Shrine approved by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines on January 27, 2021, the said Shrine Ministry consists of: 1.) Welcoming Committee, which guides the pilgrims who will visit the Shrine; 2.) the Brotherhood of the Blessed Virgin of Salambao that takes care of devotion, especially every 19th of the month; 3.) the Chamberlain of the Virgin of Salambao who takes care of the image of the Blessed Mother; 4.) the Obando Dance Dancers who teach the pilgrims the correct form and catechism in the Dance-Prayer to the Three Patrons of Obando 5.) the Souvenir Shop which is the source of the organization's funds and means of spreading devotion, and the 6.) Museo de la Parroquia which serves as headquarters for pilgrims visiting the shrine.

From this, it can be seen that there is a proper system of taking care of the pilgrims in a shrine. This is also where the example shown by the Church of Obando can be seen as one of the example shrines in the program of caring for the pilgrims who visit this town. This can be seen especially in the daily witness of the servants of this ministry to welcome visitors who become devotees of the Three Patrons.

THE PROMOTION OF THE "SHRINE MINISTRY" OF OBANDO DURING THE 28TH ACSP NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IN BATANGAS

This is the reason that Obando became one of the example shrines discussed when the shrines and a Basilica of the Diocese of Malolos in the Archdiocese of Lipa here in the province of Batangas gathered as ministers from different places of pilgrimage in the country for the 28th National Assembly of ACSP - Association of Catholic Shrines and Pilgrimages of the Philippines.
The Diocese of Malolos was then represented by 25 delegates who came from one (1) minor basilica - La Purisima Concepcion (Santa Maria) - three (3) national shrines - St. Anne (Hagonoy), Divine Mercy (Marilao), and Our Lady of Salambao (Obando) - and six (6) diocesan shrines - San Isidro Labrador (Pulilan), San Miguel Arcangel (San Miguel), San Juan Bautista (Calumpit ), St. Augustine (Baliwag City), Sagrado Corazon de Jesus (San Rafael), and Sta. Rita (Guiguinto).

The highlight of our Diocese's participation in the assembly was the Shrine Lay Ministry Discussion where Mr. Jonathan J. Rivera, Shrine Ministry Coordinator of the Obando National Shrine, was called as a panelist. During the conversation, Rivera mentioned the importance of welcoming the pilgrims, providing pastoral care to the visitors, teaching them the traditional prayer-dance to the three patrons, and how to work with the Rector for financial provisions of the Shrine Ministry.

According to the association's official record, the said assembly was "the largest ACSP assembly in recent history". The meeting is currently attended by 394 participants coming from 132 shrines across the country and from 40 dioceses.

The three-day meeting began on February 19, Monday with the theme "The Shrine as a House of Prayer and Center of Works of Mercy" and will conclude on February 21, Wednesday at the National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio, Sto. Thomas, Batqngas.

Written by: Bro. Kendrick Ivan Panganiban, S.Th.L.-M.A., DCSC Research Team

References:

- De Huerta, Fray Felix, O.F.M. Estado de la Provincia de San Gregorio Magno. Binondo, Manila: Imprenta de N. Sanchez, 1865.
- National Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Concepcion de Salambao, Obando, Bulacan. Decree of Canonical Erection of the Shrine Ministry. 2020. 
- _______. Statutes of the National Shrine and Its Shrine Ministry. 2021.
- Panganiban, Kendrick Ivan B. “‘SAYAW SA OBANDO’: The Evolution of Bulacan’s Religious Fertiliy Rites as Ecclesiastical Cultural Heritage in the Philippines”. Boletin Eclesiasticao de Filipinas. Vol. XCIX, Nos. 969 ans 970 (January-April 2023): 157-198.
- Pope Francis. Apostolic Letter on the Transfer of Competency for Shrines to the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization. Sanctuarium in Ecclesia. 2017.
- Rizal, Jose P.  The Social Cancer (Noli me Tangere). 10th Edition. trans. Charles Derbyshire. Brazil: Livre Gratis, 2003.