The image of Nuestra Sra. de los Desamparados de Manila seen in front of the Manila Cathedral as she made her way around Intramuros with the other images of the Blessed virgin Mary. Photo courtesy of Aga Urbano II of The LANCE.
Devotees flock inside the Intramuros as they celebrate the 41st year of the Intramuros Grand Marian Procession on Sunday, December 4, 2022.
This year’s IGMP showcases the images of Sts. Joseph and the Apostle Andrew, along with other venerated images of the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to a resident, 48 Carrozas of different images from all over the Philippines were present in the procession.
Mrs. Melanie Layo-layo is a long-time resident of Intramuros. In an interview with The LANCE, she stated the images of the Blessed Virgin would reach over a hundred before the pandemic. It would also last until dawn, the day after the procession started.
The number of participants had reached below 50 for the celebration this year. Layo-layo says it is still a blessing for the devotees, especially for those who are residents of Intramuros, as the annual tradition returns after two years of living in a pandemic.
Some images that graced the Grand Procession are the images of the Nuestra Sra. del Santissimo Rosario de La Naval, Nuestra Sra. de La Consolacion y Correa, Nuestra Sra. de la Soledad de Porta Vaga, Nuestra Sra. delos Desamparados de Manila, and the Nuestra Sra. de Aranzazu, of whom the Colegio has a special devotion to.
As the saying goes; “Pagkahaba-haba man ng prusisyon, sa simbahan din ang tuloy.” May we always return to Jesus through the intercession of His Blessed Mother.