The Republic of the Philippines
established diplomatic ties with Mexico on April 23, 1953. Furthermore,
the Philippines - Mexico relations go back centuries before both countries
became free and independent nations. Our roots go back to Galleon Trade.
The Black Nazarene in
the Philippines, the patron saint of Quiapo is a "blackened" icon of
Jesus Christ carrying a cross. The statue is a replica of the original
wooden icon, which was not black. According to one tale, Spanish missionaries,
brought the icon to Manila aboard a ship. On its way to Manila, the ship
caught fire and the Nazarene got burned. Despite its condition, the people,
kept the charred Nazarene for worship. Since then, miraculous things occurred
in the place. The feast of the Black Nazarene is the Philippines' largest
religious festival. Catholics come from all over Manila hoping that they
will be able to get close enough to touch the image and receive a miracle.
To touch the Nazarene, a cloth is rubbed on the statue and is believed
to cure illnesses.
Our Lady of Guadalupe,
the
Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego in 1531 in Guadalupe, a locality in
Mexico. On December 9, on his way to the church, he heard lovely sounds
of birds and a gentle woman's voice calling him. He looked up the hill,
and he saw Our Lady shining like the sun and stepping over precious stones.
The Lady told him about her earnest wish that a church be built there,
where she could show her love, compassion, help and protection. Juan Diego
immediately reported the message to the bishop who did not believe. Sadly,
he went back to the hill of the apparition and told the Virgin to give
the task to an important person who the bishop may believe because he was
a nobody and poor. The Lady told him to go back and tell the bishop that
it was she who sent him. This time the bishop asked for a sign. Again,
the Lady appeared and told him to wrap all the roses he could find on the
hill in mantle and present them to the bishop. When he opened the mantle
to show the roses to the bishop, the miraculous image of the Virgin appeared
on it. It was then that the bishop decided to build a church in the place
of the apparitions, where he installed with great honor the miraculous
mantle. |