The Vicariate image of our Lady of Hope of the Archdiocese of Palo. Her blessed image represents the poor and the importance of faith. Photo courtesy of Photo courtesy of the Archdiocese of Palo.
Most Rev. John F. Du canonically crowns the image of Our Lady of Hope during the feast of Nuestra Sra. de la Esperanza de Palo on November 8, 2022.
Pope Francis blessed the image in 2015 during his Mass in Tacloban.
They held the coronation in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Palo, commemorating the 9th anniversary of the onslaught of super-typhoon Yolanda in 2015.
Willy Layug is a sculptor from Pampanga and one of the known ecclesiastical artists in the Philippines. He crafted the Our Lady of Hope of Palo and then donated the image of Our Lady to the Archdiocese of Palo.
The sculpture shows a mourning woman clothed in traditional Filipino clothing, carrying the Child Jesus. He is offering a rosary to another injured child crying for help.
The image of Our Lady of Hope of Palo showcases how the Blessed Mother mourns for her children struck with calamity and crises. She also brings her Son closer to her children and serves as a beacon of hope for those burdened.