3-day Novena/Mass at San Carlos Seminary, Makati marks Our Lady of Biglang Awa feast

Our Lady of Biglang Awa

The feast of Our Lady of Biglang Awa is celebrated every November 11. On this occasion, devotees renew their vows to the formation of priests, the support of seminarians and the propagation of faith and devotion to Mary. 

On May 10, 1958, the canonical coronation of Our Lady of Biglang Awa was held in Boac and was attended by thousands of pilgrims from the nearby provinces in southern Luzon and Bicol region.

The annual 3-day novena in honor of the venerated image will be held at:

Lay Formation Center, San Carlos Seminary, Guadalupe Viejo, EDSA, Makati.

Our Lady of Biglang Awa Foundation, Inc. invites devotees to attend the Novena/Mass scheduled as follows:

November 13, 2015(Friday) Novena/ Mass 5:30pm 
November 14,2015(Saturday) Novena/ Mass 4:00pm
November 15,2015 (Sunday) Novena/ Mass 3:00pm.

ORAL TRADITION

Oral tradition survives up to the present day as to how Moro piratical attacks reached their height in the 18th century that saw the frequent invasion of the shores of Boac through the mouth of the river in Brgy. Laylay. Similar attacks were recorded in the other towns of the island. 

In Boac, townspeople would take refuge in the fortress of the cathedral and fervently pray for the intercession of their patroness, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception to save them from the attack. 

In one particular attack, the raiders seemed to have persisted, killing many native defenders, so the story goes, when suddenly a powerful storm came. At that point the people saw a glowing apparition of the Lady with arms outstretched standing atop the fortress wall on the southern side of the church. She was in the act of driving away the intruders. The amazing apparition drove away the Moros who fled in their sailboats. 

This episode, according to the story inspired the creation of a new name for Our Lady as Mahal na Ina ng Biglang Awa. (Mother of Instant Mercy, 'Pronto Socorro') 

The cathedral was dedicated to her in 1792. A marker on the church's front wall declares thus: "naniniwala ang mga tao na siya ang nagligtas sa pagsalakay ng mga Moro noong ika-18 dantaon."