The 'pagkanaug' rite

It was only a reenactment - that religious spectacle yesterday evening at the Basilica Minore called "Pagkanaug sa Mahal nga Birhen". But it was a touching spectacle and many of the churchgoers witnessing it shed tears.

At first, the almost life-size statue of the Virgin Mary was placed in front of a makeshift grotto on an elevated platform left of the altar. During the novena and the Holy Mass she was there resplendent in her immaculate gown misted with light blue shades. Then when the Eucharistic celebration was over, the lights were shut off and the floodlights started to work illuminating the descending form. Slowly, ever slowly, to the tune of "Santa Maria" rendered by some angelic voices from the UV chorale, the Virgin Mary's replica snailed down the flowered ramp while petals rained and a mock fountain sprayed tiny droplets to the surrounding area.

The Virgin Mother's "journey" took more than thirty minutes, but to the devotees it seemed only a brief moment, so solemn was the rite and so sweet was her "smile" ("As if she was alive!" murmured one worshipper) that it was easy to forget time while the event was taking peace. It was indeed awe-inspiring and most of those who gathered to honor the Virgin of Lourdes that evening were very deeply touched.

Deeply touched without doubt were the sick who congregated in front of the Virgin's icon. Holy oil was applied to them and water, believed to have curative effect, was passed around. Did these work to relieve the sick of their suffering? Perhaps they did, perhaps they did not. But whatever happened, it was a certainty that each of the infirmed received the grace of greater strength to carry on. Acceptance of their suffering in the name of the suffering Christ must have happened, and with it peace of mind.

Penance really is the message of the Apparition at Lourdes. The Mother of God called for sacrifices for the atonement of sins, prayer for the conversion of sinners. If the sick who came to the Pagkanaug did not get any better health-wise, it was perhaps because God wanted them to suffer more if only to strengthen them spiritually. "I do not promise to make you happy in this world but in another", the Apparition at Lourdes told Bernadette. Taking this as a cue, the ill of health who seek refuge for Mother Mary's intercession can therefore take heart. They may continue to suffer but it does not mean she has not heard their prayers.

At Lourdes even now the Mother of God continues to minister over the health needs of the sick who come to ask for her help. Thousands have experienced physical healing, the reason why thousands visit her shrine every day. Those who did not get relieved of their pain at the Pagkanaug should therefore not lose heart. Help, of the kind only God knows, is certainly on the way.

Take the case a very sick man named Gabriel Gargam (as narrated in the book Lourdes). Victim of a train accident, the fellow was paralyzed completely, and after months he had wasted into a mere skeleton. He was not a regular churchgoer, but his mother and an aunt convinced her dying son to seek help at Lourdes. Here is an account of the miraculous cure:

As the priest passed carrying the Sacred Host, he pronounced Benediction over the sorrowful group around the covered body. Soon there was a movement from under the covering. To the amazement of the bystanders, the body raised itself to a sitting posture. While the family were looking on dumbfounded and the spectators gazed in amazement, Gargam said in a full, strong voice that he wanted to get up. They thought that it was a delirium before death, and tried to soothe him, but he was not to be restrained. He got up and stood erect, walked a few paces and said that he was cured. The multitude looked in wonder, and then fell on their knees and thanked God for this new sign of His power at the Shrine of His Blessed Mother.

At the Pagkanaug, hope of God's intercession and love is rekindled alive. If only for this, this yearly spectacle (organized through the initiative of The Freeman chairman Jose R. Gullas) should be performed every time the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes is celebrated.