Paco Church

I took this photo of the Paco Church which was ruined during the Battle for Manila in World War II. The district of Paco was founded by Franciscan Missionaries and was then known as San Fernando de Dilao. The first church in Paco was dedicated in 1580 to Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria which feast is being celebrated today as The Presentation of Jesus in the temple.

The ancient feast of the Presentation of Our Lord is of Oriental origin and was known in the West as the feast of the Purication of Our Lady. It has also been referred to as Candlemas. In the Philippines and other countries, the feast is popularly known known as Candelaria and owes its popularity to the town of Jaro in Iloilo. The legend in Jaro tells of an image of Nuestra Señora discovered by a fisherman on the banks of the river. Known all over Iloilo and even beyond, the feast of the Candelaria attracts thousands of devotees every 2nd of February. The grand Cathedral complex teems with people from all walks of life.

Reflecting on this feast of February 2. forty days after Christmas, popular piety could benefit from some transformation focusing on its Christological significance without losing its Marian appeal.