The belief of the Immaculate Conception states that the Virgin Mary was free of original sin from the moment of her conception. In the Philippines, Maria Immaculata is the patroness of all Catholic Filipinos. In 1942, Pope Pius XII granted the request of Filipino bishops to declare the Virgin Mary under the title Immaculate Conception as principal patroness in the Philippines.

The image of our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage is a serene black madonna also representing the Immaculate Conception. Venerated in the Philippines and enshrined in Antipolo Cathedral, Rizal, this wooden image sailed across the oceans with Governor Niño de Tabora from Acapulco in 1626. Hence, the safe voyage of seafarers  was attributed to Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje or what is known today as the Our Lady of Antipolo.

This venerated title of the Blessed Virgin Mary is historically attributed to the naval battle between the Dutch Republic and Spanish and Filipino defenders in 1646. It is said that a naval captain who prayed for the intercession of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. In turn if their prayers were granted, he and his man would walk barefoot to the shrine of Our Lady at the Santo Domingo Church.

If it weren’t for the miracles that happened then, the image of Our Lady of La Naval de Manila wouldn’t be where it is today— in Santo Domingo Church, the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary.

Formally known as the “Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag”, the Blessed Virgin Mary is invoked as patroness of the sick, helpless, and needy. This 17th century statue from Spain is often attributed to various miracles, some of which are depicted in the murals of the basilica. Petitioners and devotees of this Marian title travel from far-flung places to seek for Her intercession.

 

Lovingly called as Mama Mary, Filipinos embraced Our Mother of Perpetual help when it arrived in the Philippines back in 1906. The original image possesses a rich history in its journey in various places, east to west of the globe. The image is considered as an icon, an expression of divine beauty as it conveys the beauty of the living God. Therefore, the Divine Mary invites us into a doorway or window to eternity, connecting the divine to the worldly. It is important to note that Mary is not the focal point of the image, rather she points out and directs us to Her Son, Jesus Christ. Presently, the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help or Baclaran Church serves as the home holy image.

The Our Lady of Peñafrancia traces its roots in the mountains of Peña de Francia in Spain. Here in the Philippines, it was Fr. Miguel Robles de Covarrubias who sparked the devotion to Our Lady in 1790 when he commissioned the construction of a small chapel at the base of Mt. Isarog. At present, the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Naga City is host to one of the largest Marian pilgrimages in Asia.

 

The establishment of the first chapter of the Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima (presently known as the World Apostolate of Fatima) in Pangasinan marked the start of the devotion to Our Lady in Philippine shores. The church where the image is enshrined today serves as the national shrine of Our Lady and a Philippine Apostolate of Our Lady of Fatima, in Fatima, Portugal.

Revered as the “Mother of Cagayan”, the Our Lady of Piat has performed various miracles for her devotees. In the locality, the Blessed Mother gained unique names among her people— for the Ibanags, she is Yena Tam Ngamin or "Mother of Us All",  while to Ilocano natives of Piat she is called Apo Baket or the "Venerable Matriarch". Also known as the Black Virgin Mary due to her muy morena (dark brown) skin, her icon is presently enshrined in the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat.

Enshrined in the outdoor balcony of Jaro Cathedral is patroness of the city and the whole of Western Visayas. Personally visited by Pope Saint John Paul II in 1981, Ang Iloy remains to be the only Marian image in Asia canonically crowned by a papal saint. The Marian title, also known as Our Lady of Candles, commemorates the ritual purification of Mary during the Presentation of Jesus at the temple. 

With a rich history, this Marian image is considered to be one of the oldest in the Philippines. Famously known for her apparitions, the blessed Mother appeared twice— to Catalina Talain and Juana Tangui. Local stories recount that the first woman, Catalina, saw Mary brilliantly reflected in springwater. Soon, townspeople believed the springwater possesed miraculous healing powers. This prompted Juana Tangui, a woman suffering near-blindness, to seek remedy from the waters. While taking her bath in the stream, she saw the image of the Virgin Mary who then instructed her to return after joining Confraternity of St Augustine.

 

The Miraculous medal was inspired by the Blessed Mother herself after she instructed Catherine Labourne to design it. The Blessed Mother further promised that whoever will wear it will receive great graces. Hence, a movement was sprung forth as more and more people wore the blessed medal and revered it as the “Miraculous medal” after the numerous miracles attributed to it.

For more than 400 years and counting, the National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Makati has stood to witness various events in Philippine history— from wars to calamities. The church, originally named Our Lady of Grace, was renamed to Our Lady of Guadalupe upon the request of Spaniards and Filipinos. To this day, the Shrine of Our Lady in Makati serves as the patroness for the unborn, the sick, the dying, and the defenseless.

 

The Marian protector of Zamboanga and Nana Pilar of Cavite, the Nuestra Señora del Pilar has performed various miracles to her devotees and even appeared to some of them. In Imus, Cavite, Nana Pilar’s intercession is attributed to protecting the town from Japanese bombs, healing the sick, and saving a young boy from drowning. Down south in Zamboanga, Her intercessions protected the province from British invaders, natural disasters, and epidemics. Local stories also recount that the Blessed Mother appeared to a soldier and during an earthquake, she appeared hovering over Basilan strait stopping a tsunami from nearing.

 

The Marian protector of Zamboanga and Nana Pilar of Cavite, the Nuestra Señora del Pilar has performed various miracles to her devotees and even appeared to some of them. In Imus, Cavite, Nana Pilar’s intercession is attributed to protecting the town from Japanese bombs, healing the sick, and saving a young boy from drowning. Down south in Zamboanga, Her intercessions protected the province from British invaders, natural disasters, and epidemics. Local stories also recount that the Blessed Mother appeared to a soldier and during an earthquake, she appeared hovering over Basilan strait stopping a tsunami from nearing.

 

This Marian title is revered as the patroness of seafarers and travellers. Galleon traders and Mariners would hold novena prior to their departure and arrival. Nowadays, due to its proximity to the United States embassy, applicants would also offer their prayers of safe travel overseas. Believed to be the oldest Marian image in the Philippines, Her numerous intercessions signaled the Patronage of the Immaculate Conception in the Philippines. The image of this wooden black madonna traditionally rests on top of Pandan leaves as history suggests. She is presently enshrined in Ermita Church.

 

The image of the Blessed Mother enshrined in Quezon City is the oldest existing image of Our Lady of Lourdes in the country. The devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes traces its roots back to the Blessed Mother’s appearance to Bernadette Soubirous. In 1886, the Order of the Franciscan Capuchins brought the devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes in Philippine shores. Her intercessions were also recognized through her healing of the sick and protection of Manila during past wars.

Compared to the Marian statues aforementioned, this Marian image was painted by the National Artist Fernando Amorsolo and is presently enshrined in Cainta, Rizal. The devotion to Our Lady of Light spread throughout to the Philippines by the Jesuits and Franciscan friars. In Cainta, the original image brought by the Jesuits was destroyed during the Philippine Revolution. Subsequently, the present image today was painted by Amorsolo following the commission of Fr.  Joseph Flameygh. She is famous today as the patroness of reconciliation and those seeking conversion.

 

Numerous miracles have been performed by this Marian image. Locals look up to Her as their guide and protector. From defeating Dutch Colonists invading Bataan to raising a dead boy back to life, Virgen Milagrosa is revered as a miracle worker”.  The image was venerated through a Canonical coronation approved by Pope Pius XII in 1958. The following year, the image was formally crowned by Archbishop of San Fernando, Emilio Cinense, and the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, Salvatore Sino.

 

The arrival of the image of Our Lady of the Abandoned in the Philippines resolved the conflict between the Governor-General and the Archbishop of Manila. In her honor, the Baston de Mando was offered to her image, proclaiming the Our Lady as the La Gobernadora de Manila. Presently enshrined in one of the oldest churches in Manila, her devotees have attributed various miracles to her from protection from diseases, calamities, and wars to unique appearances and visitations.