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45 Years of Giftedness and Grace

45 Years of Giftedness and Grace: The Canonical Coronation Anniversary of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria de Jaro On February 20, 1986, history unfolded on the balcony of the old cathedral in Jaro. Before a sea of faithful, the beloved Madonna of Jaro was canonically crowned by a pope—now a saint—Pope John Paul II during his Apostolic Visit to the Philippines. That singular moment etched itself into the heart of every Ilonggo devotee, transforming an already cherished Marian image into a living symbol of faith, identity, and grace. Forty-five years later, on February 20, 2026, all roads once again led to Jaro. Thousands gathered at the grounds of the cathedral, their eyes instinctively drawn to the same balcony where the coronation took place. There, beneath the tropical sky and within the embrace of a praying crowd, memory and miracle intertwined. The past was not distant history—it was vividly alive. A BALCONY THAT CHANGED HISTORY The coronation of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria de Jaro was not merely ceremonial. It was an affirmation of the deep Marian devotion rooted in Western Visayas. When Pope Saint John Paul II gently placed the crown upon the sacred image, he crowned not only a statue but the enduring faith of a people. Eyewitnesses still recount the overwhelming joy of that day—the thunderous applause, tears streaming freely, hands lifted in prayer. As the Himno kay Candelaria echoed once more during this 45th anniversary celebration, goosebumps rippled through the crowd. Voices trembled, especially among those who had stood there in 1986, reliving every sacred second. Each lyric carried memory. Each note carried gratitude. All is a mere “Bugay”—a gift. A gift to Ilonggo faith. A gift to history. A gift to identity. ILOY CANDE: PATRONESS, DEFENDER, PROTECTRESS For generations, “Iloy Cande” has been more than a title; she is a mother. Stories of daily miracles continue to flow—answered prayers, passing board exams, healing from illness, protection in times of danger. Devotees speak of the growing image, an unexplained phenomenon that has deepened awe and reverence. Skeptics may search for explanations, but for the faithful, these are quiet affirmations of a living relationship between mother and child. These testimonies are not about spectacle. They are about transformation. A strengthened prayer life. A renewed commitment to the Church. A return to the sacraments. A softened heart. Faith, after all, grows not only in grand events but in daily surrender. AN INDELIBLE MARK IN CHURCH HISTORY As we mark 45 years since that historic crowning, we remember that this was never simply about placing a crown upon an image. It was about recognizing a devotion that has shaped the soul of a region. It was about unity—faith binding families, parishes, and generations. May future generations see beyond the gold and the ceremony. May they understand that what happened in Jaro in 1986 was an indelible imprint in the history of the Catholic Church in the Philippines—an event that changed lives and strengthened belief. And as the faithful continue to gather before her image, candles flickering like whispered prayers, we look forward with hope: To more years of remembering. To more years of believing. To more years of grace. Thank you, Pope Saint John Paul II, for affirming our faith. Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, Iloy namon kag Patrona, Ig-ampo mo kami.