St. Francis Church welcomes Our Lady of Piat

MANILA, Philippines — Our Lady of Piat, also known as Nuestra Señora de Visitacion and Patroness of the Cagayan Valley, was brought to the province of Cagayan by the Dominican missionaries in the year 1604.

The Dominicans, who evangelized the Northern provinces, brought the life-size image from Macau to the town of Lal-lo, Cagayan Valley where the seat of the Diocese of Nueva Segovia was originally located.

To this day, the Queen of Cagayan Valley stands overlooking the Cagayan river. Attributed to her intercession are miracles of devotees who have been healed of illness and afflictions. Devotion to her has grown through the years and the Shrine of the Lady of Piat, a faithful mother to all, is visited by thousands of pilgrims every year.

On June 20, 1954, the miraculous Lady of Piat was canonically crowned by the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, Most Rev. Egidio Vagnozzi. On March 10, 1998, the Shrine of the Miraculous Virgin was elevated to a Basilica Minore by virtue of the decree by Saint John Paul II.

The Lady of Piat arrives once again for her parish visit in Manila this coming month. Upon her arrival from Tuguegarao on Dec. 1, the Eucharistic celebration will be held at 5:30 p.m.

On Dec. 2, the mass will be celebrated at 5:30 p.m. while the farewell mass on Sunday, Dec. 3 will be celebrated at 7:30 a.m. The Blessed Mother shall depart St. Francis Church on Shaw Boulevard for Intramuros after the mass to join the annual grand Marian procession which begins at 3 p.m.

The Piat Foundation is inviting all pilgrims and devotees to join the celebration of this gift of faith.