Nuestra Señora dela Soledad de Porta Vaga

Our Lady of the Porta Vaga (, ) is a Roman Catholic Marian title of the Blessed Virgin Mary associated with a venerated Marian painting.

The oldest dated Marian painting in the Philippines and the Patroness of Cavite is permanently enshrined at the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Solitude of Porta Vaga, Parish of San Roque.

The image was ceremoniously crowned on 17 November 1978, though having been long disputed as illegitimate due to lack of official decree from Rome. On 27 September 2017, the image was designated as a National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines. On 19 March 2018, new documents were submitted to the Holy Office and the image was granted an official decree of canonical coronation by Pope Francis.

Title and description

The image is known in its province as the "Queen of the City and Province of Cavite" and "Exalted Patroness and the Celestial Guardian and Protectress of the Province of Cavite and its Port" ( and ). The icon was used to bless departing trade galleons plying the route between Cavite and Acapulco, Mexico, earning her the title "Patroness of the Galleons", while claims of miracles associated the icon as ''"The Virgin of a Thousand Miracles"''. According to historical records, the image is sometimes called "Mother of Candles" (''"Ynang Magkakandila"'') due to her prayerful iconography of two candles, hundreds of bottles of candles was offered in front of the image in the weeks of her festival in Cavite. Accordingly, a separate feast was celebrated supported and funded by candle makers in gratitude for their income from the recent days feast. The youth also calls the image affectionally as "Nay Choleng" (Mother Choleng) using the name "Choleng" a pseudonym of "Soledad".

The Blessed Virgin Mary is depicted as garbed in black and white, kneeling before the instruments of Passion of Jesus Christ. The icon is painted on canvas and framed in carved wood. The painting itself is set in gold and silver accoutrements of precious gemstones donated as ''ex votos'' from devotees.

A Spanish inscription on the reverse of the icon reads:

Historical timeline

1600s

*1602 – The Spaniards constructed a massive wall protecting the port town of Cavite. With this wall was a main gate which gave entry to Cavite Puerto. This gate appeared on a 1659 map labelled as "puerta nueva que sales a San Roque". In chabacano dialect, it was called Puertang Bago. Later Bago which means new was converted to Vaga to be more hispanized. Hence, it was called Porta Vaga.
*Ca 1667 – Tradition says a miraculous lady appeared before a guardia civil. She claimed to be Mary, the mother of Jesus and sought entrance through Porta Vaga to Cavite Puerto. The next day, fisherman and workers at the Cavite Royal Arsenal found the image of the Virgen de la Soledad floating on the waters of Cañacao Bay.
*1669 – 1689 Tomas de Andrade was the rector of the Jesuits ''"Colegio de Cavite"''. He wrote a poem entitled ''"Himno a la Virgen de Cavite"''. Later, the poem became the lyrics of the hymn, Reina de Cavite.
*1692 April 12 – An inscription on the back of the painting states "A doze de Abril 1692 anos puso sima himagen Juan de Oliba haqui (''The most holy image was placed here on April 12, 1692 by Juan de Oliba'')". This is the basis of Nuestra Señora de la Soledad's Tricentennial celebration.

1700s

*1739 – The first time that the Ermita de la Virgen de la Soledad was mentioned in the map of Cavite Puerto.
*1739 – The Chaplain of the Ermita de la Soledad was Nicolas Melo.
*1739 (October 5) – Marcos Zamora was appointed as administrator f the ''Capilla Nuestra Señora de la Soledad''. He was asked to submit an inventory of the properties of the said chapel.
*1742 – ''Soledad Patricenante de Maria, Oracion Evangelica de Nuestra Señora de la Soleded apellidada de Puerta Vaga'' was printed. This was based on the preaching given by the Dominican preachers Fray Juan de la Cruz in the Ermita de la Soledad in 1741.
*1747 (December 16) – Viente de Segueyra was appointed as chaplain of the Ermita de Nuestra Señora de la Soleded.
*1748 (January 22) – Vicente de Segueyra asked Don Patricio de Mena Rear Admiral of the ship, Principe de Asturias, to ask for alms in his trip to China and Canton for the said sanctuary, the Ermita of the Soledad. This was approved by the Archbishop of Manila.
*1751 (January 16) – De Sousa was granted permission by the Archbishop of Manila to ask for alms from passengers aboard the ship Santisimo Rosario bound for Acapulco for the greater glory of the cult and adornment of the Nuestra Señora de la Soledad.
*1752 (July 7) – de Sousa solicited alms for the image of ''Nuestra Señora de la Soledad'' aboard ''Nuestra Señora del Rosario y San Juan Bautista.''
*1755 (November 21) Antonio Gil Adriano was appointed chaplain of the Ermita.
*1757 (November 6) – A document mentioned the existence of Obras Pias de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad under the administration of Don Miguel Cortes de Arrendenio y Oriosolo, Vicar General of Manila.
*1768 (January 17) – Joseph Aranzana was appointed chaplain of the Ermita de la Soledad.
*1768 (July 20) – Aranzana was given permission to ask for alms for the Virgen de la Soledad aboard the Frigate San Carlos.
*1768 (August 11) – Joseph de Jesus Diaz Vardona was appointed chaplain of the Ermita.
*1768 (October 1) – Vicente Hipolito was assigned as mayordomo capella of the Ermita.
*1769 (July 19) – Vicente Hipolito was given the permission to solicit from the galleon San Carlos.
*1770 (March 1) - Thomas Nazario Benitez was appointed chaplain of the Ermita.
*1771 – The sanctuary of the Ermita was painted floors, leaks and windows were repaired.
*1773 (March 1) – Raphael Ochoa was appointed chaplain of the Ermita.
*1774 (April) – Dionicio Vicente Esguera de Leyba was appointed chaplain of the Ermita.
*1775 – Archbishop Sancho of Manila approved the rebuilding of the retablo with gold and silver leaf imported from Canton.

*1775 – 1792 – Don Mateo Joaquin Rubio de Arevalo Bishop of Cebu granted 40 days of indulgence to devotees of the Virgen de la Soledad. During this time, estampas printed on silk was a popular one. Devotees adorn the copies with gold and silver embroidery and ivory.
*1776 – 1788 – Don Basilio Sancho de Santa Justa y Rufina was Archbishop of Manila. He granted 80 days of indulgence to devotees of the Nuestra Señora de la Soledad.
*1787 – inventory of the Ermita described four altars; much silver vessels and decoration and curtains of different colors hanging in the Ermita.
*1830 (June 2) – Lighting struck the altar of the Ermita, fire razed the altar to ground but the image of the Virgin remained intact amidst he ashes and debris.

1800s

*1832 – '' Novenario Consagrado a la Piadosa Vrigen de la Soledad llamada de Puerta Vaga'' printed by the Real Colegio de Sto. Tomas, Manila
*1848 (April 22) – Macario Goco was appointed chaplain of the Ermita.
*1848 – The church was closed because of its ruinous state. The dome was in danger of falling down. The archbishop allowed the immediate repair of the chapel.
*1849 (April 6) - Clemente Custodio was appointed chaplain of the Ermita.
*1851 – The chapel of the ''Nunstra Señora de la Soledad'' was reported to be well built. The interior is decorated with the paintings of the miracles of the Virgen.
*1856 – A terrible typhoon flooded Cavite Puerto, Houses and buildings in the whole Puerto went underwater except for the Ermita and its patio where Caviteños sought refuge and prayed to the Virgen de la Soledad the flooding subsided thereafter.
*1857 (June 30) – Cavite based Spanish frigate Lucero was caught between the shallow reefs of Rauis, Legaspi, Albay amidst a violent typhoon. The crew asked for the Virgen's assistance and she appeared before them. After 22 days, the frigate floated away from the reefs and sailed safely to Cavite.
*1859 (December 22) - Bernardino Tongco was appointed chaplain of the Ermita.
*1861 (August 31) – Candido Ureta Manzanares, chancellor of the Arcdiocese of Manila approved the Tagalog novena to the Virgen.
*1863 – A novena in honor of the Virgen de la Soledad printed by Imprenta Ramirez y Giraudier.
*1863 – A terrible earthquake destroyed the Ermita and the image of the Virgen de la Soledad was temporarily housed in San Juan de Diós Church.
*1865 – Another printing of the novena by the ''Imprenta de M. Sanchez Calle Anloage Binondo''. The ''stabat Mater'' in Spanish was added together with a prayer in Latin.
*1869 (July 6) – Timoteo Sanchez was appointed as chaplain of the Ermita.
*1870 (August 12) – Roman Pilapil was appointed as chaplain of the Ermita.
*1871 – The convent of the Ermita was repaired extensively. Some properties owned by the Ermita were sold to subsidize the expenses.
*1874 – A running balcony was constructed in the second floor of the sacristy, worked was initiated by Juan Dilag.
*1879 – A big bell was donated to the Ermita by various devotees of the ''Virgen de la Soledad''. This bell was recast in 1890. The bell exist to this day and hangs in the belfry of the San Roque church.
*1880 – The church was closed due to heavy earthquake damage; only the dome and presbytery were spared from cracks.
*1882 (October) Cholera epidemic spread in Cavite and many residents died. Even the politico military governor Don Juan Salcedo was afflicted. An old lady appeared to him and requested that the fiesta of the Virgen de la Soledad be celebrated with the greatest pomp possible. If the request is granted the epidemic will subside. After the governor agreed, he got well and the cholera epidemic was checked.
*1883 – 1886 – Height of Cavite Fiesta. The whole province participated in the affair. Streets covered by the route of the procession were carpeted and canopied and lighted with crystal lanterns.
*1892 – The fiesta of Cavite was featured in the Spanish newspaper, Manililla. The governor of Cavite Don Juan Francisco Rodriguez opened the ''Exposición Regional de Cavite''. The hymn Reina de Cavite was composed by Don Julian Felipe, the national anthem composer.Romanillos, Emmanuel Luis A. (2006). "Chabacano studies: essays on Cavite's Chabacano language and literature", pg. 125. Cavite Historical Society.Delos Reyes, Aloma Monte (1994). "Sto. Niǹo de Molino Bacoor, Canite 1984-1994: the making of a parish", pg. 139. Parish of Sto. Nino de Molino, Bacoor, Cavite.

20th century

*1909 (October 21) – the first American Archbishop of Manila Jeremiah James Harty granted 100 days of indulgence to those who will make pious devotion to the Virgen de la Soledad.
*1914 – The fiesta of Cavite was featured in the society magazine, "Cultura Social".
*1929 (June 13) – Pedro Lerena of Logroño Spain became the parish priest of San Pedro in Cavite Puerto. He was at the same time appointed as rector of the Ermita. Lerena took care of the Virgin until his death.
*1932 – Lerena beautified the Ermita. He opened new windows and widened the older ones. He installed a new communion rail made of narra and marble. He also installed electric chandeliers.
*1941 – 1942 – The Japanese imperial forces entered Cavite. The Ermita de la Soledad was sealed and the image was junked at Sangley Point. Lerena retrieved the image and brought it to Manila.
*1942 (November) – The fiesta of the Virgen de la Soledad was celebrated in Quiapo Church.

*1943 – 1944 (November) – The fiestas of the Virgen were celebrated at the Manila Cathedral.
*1944 – The Ermita was reduced into rubbles by series of American and Japanese carpet bombings. When the Archbishop's Palace in Intramuros was bombed, the image was kept in one of the values of the Philippine National Bank.
*1945 – What was lef of the Ermita was bulldozed. Lerena returned the image of the Virgen de la Soledad to Cavite and enshrined it at San Roque Church.
*1946 – A small carroza for the procession of the Virgen de la Soldead was made since the old carroza de plata was lost during the war. This new carroza is still used during the caracol of the Virgin.
*1951 – A miniature galleon was made a carroza of the Virgin for the procession. It is still used to this day.
*1954 – The image of the ''Virgen de la soledad'' was brought to Luneta for the Marian Year celebration. San Roque Church, the shrine of the Virgin became the venue for the vicarial of the Marian Year.
*1972 (May 25) – Lerena, the caretaker of the Virgin for 47 yrs. passed away.
*1976 – The new parish priest Baraquiel Mojica bought the replica of the Virgen de la Soledad to the different towns of Cavite province to promote the devotion to her.
*1977 – Exhibits of old souvenir programs of the fiestas of the Virgen and old photos of Cavite were displayed at the patio of San Roque Church during the fiesta.
:1978
:*(Jun 12) The Our Lady of Solitude Foundation was established from the proceeds of the safe of the Ermita lot.

:*(November 17) – Apostolic Nuncio Bruno Torpigliani placed an episcopal crown, donated by Arturo Mañalac.
*1981 – The story of the Virgen de la Soldedad was made into a movie entitled ''Ang Milagro sa Porta Vaga'' (). Sor Agustina Salcedo, the granddaughter of Don Juan Salcedo authored the script.

Theft and recovery

:1984
:*(March 16) – The image was stolen from her altar in San Roque church.
:*(August 15) – The image was retrieved by Antonio G. Nazareno and had it authenticated by church authorities.
:*(August 19) The bishop announced the recovery of the authentic image.

:*1990 – Preparatory stage of the Tricentennial Celebration initiated by Felix Perez. The image of the Virgin made a sentimental visit to Quiapo church.
:1991
:*April 12 – Solemn opening to the Tricentennial Celebration

:*May 12 First grand Marian Procession held in Cavite in honor to the Virgen de la Soledad. It was participated by more than 42 images of the Virgin.

:*June – July – The replica of the Virgin de la Soledad was brought to the United States to Visit the Caviteño communities.

:*September – Oct – the delegation from Cavite brought the image of the Virgin back to the United States upon the fervent request of her other devotees.

:*October – A Marian Congress was held in San Roque in honoring the Virgen de la Soldead. A perpetual Rosary Devotion was held before the image of the Virgen de la Soledad.

:*October 19 – Development Foundation was launched at the Manila Hotel with the Ambassadors of Spain and Mexico as guests.

:*November 1991 – The image of the Nuestra Señora de la Soledad in Barrio Soledad (now Camba in Binondo) was brought to Cavite City. The image must have been brought by the Caviteños who settled in that particular place in Binondo. It has been venerated in Camba since 1887.

:*November 1991 – The Historical Marker commemorating the Tricentennial of the Enthronement of the Soledad was unveiled by Bishop Felix Perez of Imus and Mayor Timoteo Encarnacion of Cavite City at the former site of the Ermita de Porta Vaga. The Marker was granted by the National Historical Institute upon the approval of Director Serafin Quiazon.
:1992
:*December 1991 – The century-old Maytinis of Kawit, Cavite representing the different personalities in the Bible through colorful floats was re-enacted in CaviteCity in honor of the Soledad. It is traditionally held in Cavite on the eve of Christmas.

:*February 1992 – The original image of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno made a sentimental visit to the shrine of the Soledad. It was the first time that the said image was brought out of Quiapo to the place where it first landed over three hundred years ago. The most emotional part of the visit was when the Soledad met the Nazareno at the junction of Ronquillo Street. The Sorrowful Mother meeting the Suffering Son.

:*March 1992 – The Soledad Visual Art Competition was held. Many young Caviteño artists participated painting the Soledad.

:*April 1992 – A press conference was held in Cavite City on the Porta Vaga Festival in celebration of the Tricentennial of the Soledad. Over 30 press people from Manila were ferried to Cavite. Alter a tour to Cavite's historical sites, the members of the press were treated with a sumptuous Caviteño lunch and a press conference was followed.

:*April 12, 1992 – The Soledad Tableau was presented by high school students in San Roque Parish Church. The tableau re-enacted the apparition and the coronation of the Soledad.

:*April 24, 1992 – the commemorative stamps issued by the Philippine Postal Services office on Apr 12 1992 was formally presented to Mayor Tim Encarnation and Pedro Arigo, the Diocesan administrator of Cavite. The stamp was designed by Rafael Asuncion and approved by the Postmaster General Jorge Sarmiento. Four hundred thousand stamps were issued under two denominations.
:*April 24, 26 – The closing ceremonies to the Tricentennial celebration dubbed as Porta Vaga '92 was held at the former site of the Ermita de Porta Vaga. It was a 3-day religious-cultural celebration honoring the Soledad.

21st century

:2017
the 350th Anniversary of the Arrival of the Original icon in the shores of Cavite.
*July 21- Nomination of the image thru a letter address to Director Jeremy barns of the National Museum.
*August 30- Stakeholders meeting and Public hearing for the Nomination of the image as National Cultural Treasure.
*September 28 – The panel of Experts unanimously approved the NCT nomination.
*November 19 - the four venerated images of Our Lady of Solitude of Buhi from Albay, Nueva Ecija, Camba Manila and the Estampa image From the Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol Seminary in tagaytay was brought together for the first time in cavite and graced the streets of Cavite City in a grand Procession
:2018
:*18 November – Canonical Coronation of La Virgen de la Soledad de Porta Vaga officiated by Gabrielle Giordanno Caccia, Nuncio to the Philippines. The solemn ceremonies enacting the Papal act was jointly presided by Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, and Bishop Reynaldo G. Evangelista, D.D., Bishop of Imus, on 18 November 2018.

:*24 November – Public declaration of the image of La Virgen de la Soledad de Porta Vaga as National Cultural Treasure. Hon. Gemma Cruz Araneta give the keynote speech.

:*12 April 2019 – Unveiling of the Marker of the image as NCT. According to Gemma Cruz-Araneta, former director of the National Museum, this was the first time an ecclesiastical artifact was declared a national cultural treasure.

Miraculous claims and apparition

According to local legend, a Spanish ''carabinero'' Soldier on sentry duty on the Rosario isthmus one stormy night saw a halo of bright light amongst storm clouds above Canacao Bay. Thinking the light to be coming from Islamic pirates intent on sacking Cavite, the sentry shouted a challenge to the lights as they approached him. When the light did not stop, he again called out. A calm and soothing voice replied from the light:

The soldier, struck with awe and confusion, replied:

The morning followed the stormy night. The early risers, mostly fishermen and workers at the Cavite Royal Arsenal usually passed through the Porta Vaga gate in entering the puerto. Along the beach of Cañacao Bay, they found a framed image of the Virgen de la Soledad lying on the sandy shore. It was close to the spot where the Virgin appeared the previous night. Others claimed it came with the debris of a Spanish galleon that sank during the fierce typhoon. They brought the image to the parish priest, who temporarily installed it in the parish church. Later, a small chapel was built near the Porta Vaga walls and for three centuries it became the shrine of the Virgen de la Soledad.

An inscription was found at the back of the painting, ''"A doze de Abril 1692 años Juan de Oliba puso esta Stsma. Ymagen Haqui."'' This inscription says that "this sacred image was placed here on April 12, 1692 by Juan Oliva" but it does not clearly tells us the exact date of the Virgin's arrival. It is possible that it is the date when the Virgin was enthroned at the altar of the Ermita de Porta Vaga in the 17th century. Devotees of the Virgen de la Soledad were not satisfied in placing her in one of the seven churches of Cavite Puerto. They decided to build for her the Ermita de Porta Vaga, a small chapel near the gate of the Porta Vaga, the fortlet guarding the entrance to the Puerto de Cavite. For three centuries, it became the shrine of the Virgin. Text was copied from this source, which is available under
Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Philippines
(CC BY-SA 3.0 PH) license.

* During the typhoon in 1830, a fire caused by lightning bolt hit the wooden altar of the Ermita and razed the chapel to the ground, but the image of the Virgin remained intact among the ashes.
* In 1856, another terrible typhoon flooded the houses, churches and public buildings within the Puerto but the Ermita, as well as its patio were found dry so the people took refuge in the Church.
* On 30 June 1857, a Spanish frigate based in Cavite and named ''Lucero'' was caught by a violent typhoon off the coast of Albay. It ran aground on the rocky place known as Rawis, legaspi. For twenty two days, the ship was unable to move not only because of the low tide, but also because of the absence of even a slight breeze. The crewmen were worried because their provision was running low. It happened that one of the crew members was a devotee of the ''Virgen de la Soledad''. He took out Her picture and asked his fellow sailors to pray before Her. One night, the Virgin appeared before the crewmen in the light of the pale moon. As they fell to their knees, the tide rose higher and higher and the wind began to blow. The frigate floated free from its rocky trap and was able to return safely to Cavite. There was so much jubilation. As the crewmen set foot on the ground, they proceeded right away to the Ermita. There, to the tune of the Te Deum, they expressed their gratitude to the Virgin.
* An epidemic plagued the Province of Cavite in October 1882. Provincial governor ''Don Juan Salcedo Y Mantilla de los Rios'' ordered that the feast of the image be postponed until the whole province has been freed from such disaster. At one night, when the Governor was sick and resting, he ordered his guards not to let anyone in his quarters. However, to his surprise, an old lady dressed in black, came knocking at his door. The lady asked him to promise to celebrate the feast of the ''Virgen de la Soledad'' with greatest pomp for the epidemic to leave. Dismayed at such untimely request, he agreed and gave the lady some silver coins wrapped in a white handkerchief. After the lady left, he summoned his guards and reprimanded them for letting the old lady in. To their surprise, they told him that they saw no one in the vicinity. At once he himself was healed and he immediately visited the ''Ermita de Porta Vaga'' to give thanks to the Miraculous Virgin. To his surprise, he saw the silver coins wrapped in white handkerchief in front of the icon, just as he had given it to the lady. In thanksgiving for healing the whole of Cavite from such malady, he ordered that the feast of the Virgin be celebrated on January 20–21, 1883. He required all leaders of localities in the whole province to participate in the celebrations. On the day of the fiesta, the bells of all churches in Cavite rang to pay homage to their Queen. It was likewise answered by canyons from the Fort San Felipe. All ''gobernadorcillos'' of all towns of Cavite together with all of their local officials came with their colorful gala uniforms with their own town's brass bands. All roads of the Cavite Puerto were decorated with ornaments. The road going to the ''Ermita de Porta Vaga'' was piled up with ''sederas'' or temporary stores. The whole route of the Virgin's procession were brightly lighted and carpeted with expensive rugs and were covered overhead by canvasses and sails of boats to protect the participants from getting wet in case of rain.

Philippine writer Genoveva Edroza Matute claims that the grandiose celebration of the fiesta of San Diego in Rizal's Noli Me Tangere was based on the fiesta celebration of Cavite. Thus, the ''Virgen de la Soledad'' was called the "Queen and Patroness" of province of Cavite. Text was copied from this source, which is available under
Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Philippines
(CC BY-SA 3.0 PH) license.

Theft and return

* On 16 March 1984, regular churchgoers discovered the image missing from the altar. Several controversial and unfounded theories regarding the theft were published in some newspapers. A special committee to recover the image was formed, and they announced a cash reward of ₱30,000.00, later raised to ₱50,000.00.
* On 15 August 1984, the "Antique Dealers of the Philippines" and an anonymous person with the pseudonym ''"Un hijo verdadero de Cavite"'' ("A true son of Cavite") recovered the lost icon, stripped of its gold accoutrements and gemstones. The Bishop of Imus was asked to authenticate the icon.
* On 19 August 1984, celebrations for the feast of Saint Roch included the blessing of a replica icon. Secretly, it was also the day officials planned to announcement the recovery of the original. At the 9:00 a.m. Mass, the Gospel was read, and the Bishop of Imus blessed the replica. The recovered original was then presented to the congregation.

National cultural treasure

* In July 2017, the Parish of San Roque, formally nominated the centuries-old image of ''La Virgen de la Soledad de Porta Vaga'' as National Cultural Treasure of the Philippine thru the National Museum.Reina de Cavite y Luz de Filipinas Manila Bulletin Article by Gemma Cruz Araneta, November 29, 2019.
* The local government in August 2017 recognized her image through City Resolution No. – 2017–071. The City Resolution also declared the second Sunday of November as "Dia de la Virgen de la Soledad Porta Vaga" or Our Lady of Porta Vaga Day in the whole city of Cavite.
* On 12 April 2019, the heritage marker was unveiled by the National Museum, city, province and national officials.

Canonical coronation

* On 17 November 1978, the Apostolic Nuncio Bruno Torpigliani ceremoniously crowned the image. Decade years of contestation due to lack of Pontifical decree since that time accused the coronation as both falsified and illegitimate. Due to the scandalous infighting, devotees finally succumbed to intensifying scrutiny and public pressure — thereafter formally requested the Vatican for a Pontifical decree of coronation.
* On 19 March 2018, Pope Francis issued the decree for the Pontifical Coronation of the Marian image. The coronation was executed on 18 November 2018 by the Papal Nuncio Gabriele Giordano Caccia. By the same occasion, its church was declared as a Diocesan Shrine. Accordingly, the Apostolic Penitentiary granted plenary indulgence for an entire year for its visitors.

List of religious devotions

The Marian image is celebrated every second and third Sunday of November in Cavite. An annual Lenten rites and the All Saints- All Souls Day observances where she is alluded to in Tagalog as "''Ináng Mágkakandila''" (Mother Candlemaker).

Main fiesta

The Fiesta of the Soledad lasts for almost two and a half weeks.
* The Grand Motorcade attended by hundreds of vehicles is held on Friday a day before the karakol at the first fiesta of Our Lady of Solitude, in memory of the return of the original image from theft in 1984. The fun and colorful motorcade entry into the City of Cavite reminds the devotees of the joy of the return of their Mother and Queen and her importance as the Mother of God and of all. At the sound and accompaniment of cheerful music, colorful balloons, banners and confetti the motorcade makes its way to San Roque Parish.
* Karakol Processions are held during town and barangay fiestas in Cavite and some rural areas in The Philippines. It is done mostly on the eve of the feast in thanksgiving for all the blessings and graces received through the intercession of the Patron Saint. Also, some Karakol rituals are done to ask for rain or deliverance from calamities and epidemics. Caracol, which is a species of a snail, refers to the snail-like dance done during these celebrations. It is a fun tradition that dates back from the Spanish era and is still in practice to the present within the province. In Cavite City, the Karakol has two parts as follows: CARACOL DE LA TIERRA and CARACOL DEL MAR. Caracol de la Tiera or the Karakol sa Lupa is the usual Karakol Procession done as in most communities in Cavite. The Caracol del Mar or Karakol sa Dagat is a fluvial procession wherein the image of the Virgin is brought back to the open waters of Manila Bay where She was found floating in the year 1667. It is also done, to ask for Her blessing since Cavite City has fishing as one of its main sources of livelihood.
* A recent addition to the fiesta is the Translacion commemorating the events of the feast on November 8, 1896, during the historic Battle of Binakayan-Dalahican during the opening months of the Philippine Revolution. Revolutionary soldiers of the Magdiwang faction based in what is now General Trias brought the original image from Cavite City and celebrated the feast of Our Lady in the premises of St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church in the city proper, away from Spanish naval artillery fire and gunfire from both Spanish and Filipino soldiers. The commemoration starts at the Diocesan Shrine with a motorcade to the St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church, where a welcome Mass is held followed by an overnight vigil. In the following day another mass is held followed by another procession going back to Cavite City by foot, wherein the image of the Virgin is escorted by devotees.
* The "Primera Fiesta" is dedicated for Pilgrims and devotees nationwide.
* The "Segunda Fiesta" - the Third Sunday of November, is dedicated to residents of Cavite Province and a procession of the patron saints of different parishes and chapels of Cavite City caps the grand festival.

Soleda festival in Samar

The Soleda festival is a less popular but a more traditional celebration of residents from Sta. Margarita and Barangay Matobato in Calbayog Samar about merry dancing at the shores bearing the image of Nuestra Senora de Porta Vaga, more popularly known as ''"Soleda"''. This festival is specially pursued and initiated by the descendants of the early settlers in the community called ''"Tagalugan"'' referring to Tagalog speaking migrants from Cavite City during the Spanish era. The celebration is prominently highlighted by the presence of ''"kubol"'' or sea-shanties made up of bamboo and coconut palm leaves. The devotees dance their way from the local Chapel as they bring out the image and pass by the different "kubols" until reaching the main ''"kubol"'' where a simple ceremony is conducted. The date of celebration though is not very prominent because of the confusion of the actual festival day which falls every second Sunday of November.

Procesión del Silencio (Procession of Silence)

As one final salvo to the celebrations of Good Friday, devotees of the Virgen de la Soledad come out after the traditional Santo Sepulcro Procession for a time of profound penance and prayer for the Procession del Silencio de la Virgen de la Soledad. Devotees, mostly clad in black, barefoot and silently praying with their candles in hand, accompany the age-old icon of the Virgen de la Soledad on a short route to symbolize the Virgin's lonely walk back home after bringing Christ's body to the Holy Sepulchre. This procession brings out the grief believers have in giving consolation to our Lady in Her time of bereavement. As devotees remember, the icon of the Virgen de la Soledad is a depiction of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the night of the first Good Friday, where She spent time alone in solitude, in quiet prayer and meditation, pondering over the great sufferings that Her Son has endured, thus the evening procession is to them a reminder of Her fervent presence in the hearts of the faithful.

Novena

The origin of the novena claim that some of its prayers may have been taken from a 1742 religious booklet titled "" (English: Under the patronage of the Mary of Solitude, with the prayers of propagation of Our Lady of Solitude, under the name of the Open Gate); preached in 1741 by the Dominican priest Juan de la Cruz, a Christian missionary in China.

In the 19th century, a Tagalog translation of this Novena was made by Juan Dilag, a chaplain of the Ermita. On 31 August 1861, the chancellor of the Archdiocese of Manila, Don Candido Ureta de Manzares approved the Tagalog translation with the following decree:

Indulgences

* an inscription on an ''estampa'' venerated at the chapel of "Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol",the Diocesan Seminary for Cavite. says that the Spanish Archbishop of Manila, Don Basilio Sancho de Sta. Justa y Rufina granted 80 days indulgence for those who would say the novena in her honor.
* Bishop Mateo Joaquin Rubio de Arevalo of Cebu granted 40 more days for those who did likewise.
* Another Archbishop, Don Juan Antonio de Obrigo y Gallego granted indulgence to her devotees.
* On October 21, 1909, the first American Archbishop of Manila, Jeremiah J. Harty, granted 100 days of Indulgence to those who would make a pious devotion to the Virgin.
* In the 1950s Cesar Ma. Guerrero, former Archbishop of the Diocese of San Fernando (Pampanga) and Tarlac, whose ancestors were full-blooded Cavitenos, permitted the publication of the prayer entitled: ''"Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Porta Vaga: CELESTIAL GUARDIANA Y PROTECTORA DE LA PROVINCIADE CAVITE Y SU PUERTO".'' The holy bishop likewise granted 300 days indulgence to all who would pray it.

Regalia

Silver frame

The current silver frame used on special occasions such as processions, is made of wood covered in pure silver, with the back made of bronze. The silver came from old coins donated by devotees, and Mexican silver given by Antonio José, Sr, owner of a metal trading business. The original frame was destroyed during the Japanese Occupation.

''Kamagóng f''rame

A wooden frame made of ''kamagóng'' (''Diospyros discolor'') with brass appliqué and silver rays was donated by the Roxas family matriarch. The frame is the icon's throne and used to hold the original image on her altar. Today it holds the "''Viajera''" or official replica on ordinary days. During the fiesta or on special occasions, it is used for the original icon.

Three Cross Crown

A crown made of gold fashioned from the pectoral cross of the former Archbishop of Manila, Cardinal Rufino Santos, was donated as an ''ex voto'' during the 17 November 1978 Coronation.

''Auspice Maria'' Crown (1978)

The crown made of pure gold was donated by Don Arturo Mañalac and the ''auspice maria'' inlaid with precious gemstones funded from donations of devotees residing abroad. This crown was used for the 17 November 1978 coronation, and is used during the first fiesta on the second week of November.

Pontifical Crown (2018)

A crown made of gold and precious gems funded by various devotees mostly from its lay confraternity for the 2018 Canonical Coronation. The crown was manufactured by the jeweler "Fedesto" of Fort Bonifacio and YUG Jewelers in Kowloon, Hong Kong.

Holy Spirit

The original gold dove went missing in the late 1990s, and a new dove was made from ivory with rays of gold vermeil studded with cubic zirconia. The dove, which symbolizes the Holy Ghost, was given by a devotee for the 2018 Canonical Coronation.

Medallion Pins

Medallions were made in 2018 to commemorate various civil honours to Our Lady of Solitude of Porta Vaga. The pins were made of silver dipped in gold, and bear the various seals of the state and government institutions.
*National Cultural Treasure Pin — given by the Philippine Government as recognition of the icon as a National Cultural Treasure according to National Museum Resolution No. 2-2017. It depicts the Coat of Arms of the Philippines in an eight-rayed sunburst.
*Patroness of the Province Pin — honours the image as a unique treasure and Patroness of the whole Province of Cavite, depicting the provincial seal in a sunburst with plant motifs.
*Patroness of the City Pin — given by the Cavite City government through the city Resolution No. 2017-071, recognizing the image as the city's treasure and Patroness. It takes the form of the city seal ringed by laurel wreaths, and a four-rayed sunburst with three, five-petalled flowers in between.

Various Ex Votos of the image, most notably:
*''Gold Choker filigree Necklace'' was given by the Valdez family patriarch
*''Gold Tambourine Necklace''
*''Gold puzzle ring''

* During processions and events, devotees would adorn the frame of the image with a large cape or mantle. for a tradition states that the cape should be divide into 7 panels symbolizing the 7 sorrows of Mary. A small veil is often placed on top of the cape so it resembles a woman from behind.
* Every time the image is carried without the frame on processions and during the "Pahalik" tradition a simple veil usually black is placed on top of the image itself. The veils are brought by devotees and returned to them afterwards as mementos.
* On Good Friday, a translucent black veil covers the image of Our Lady of Solitude symbolizing the state of mourning.

Hymns

* In 1892, Philippine composer Julian Felipe created the hymn "''Reina de Cavite''". The lyrics were taken from the poem ''Himno a la Virgén de Cavite'' (Hymn to the Virgin of Cavite) by Fr. Tomás de Andrade, S.J., the rector of the Jesuit College of Cavite sometime in 1689.

In 1991, in preparation for the celebration of the Tricentennial of the Enthronement of Our Lady of Port Vaga, the National Artist Lucio San Pedro made a four-voice arrangement of the hymn

* In 1945, Reverend Pedro Larena wrote a poem entitled ''"O Purísima Flor"''.
* ''"Dulce Madre"'' The longest and one of the oldest song in honor of Our lady of Porta Vaga. not much is known about when and who composed the song.
* In celebration of the 350th year of the arrival of the original icon of Our lady of Porta Vaga in Cavite, By the Request of Fr, Virgilio Saenz Mendoza, fr. Francisco, SJ, a famous composer, together with Fr. Randy de Jesus who wrote the lyrics ''"Ina at Reyna"''. the hymn was used at the 2018 Canonical Coronation
* For the Declaration of the Original Icon of Or Lady of Porta Vaga as a National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines, Seminarian Genesis Frances M. Toledo, DS, composed the song, ''"Preciosa y Poderosa"'' with the lyrics written by Marco Federico Dalma, a Devotee from Las Piñas

In popular culture

* Filipino writer Genoveva Edroza Matute — claims that the grandiose celebration of the fiesta of San Diego in Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere was actually based on the grandiose fiesta celebration of Cavite.
* The movie ''Ang Milagro sa Porta Vaga'' () — a religious themed film starring Julie Vega and Leopoldo Salcedo. The film has since been considered lost.
* The Bayanihan Dance Company

HOME


Content is Copyleft
Website design, code, and AI is Copyrighted (c) 2014-2017 by Stephen Payne


Consider donating to Wikimedia



As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases