The procession in honor of Mary, our Lady of the Miraculous Medal was to be at 5:00 AM. Today was her feast day, 27 November. In the Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr, the parishioners are the Blessed Virgin Mary’s devotees. They had to have a procession in honor of her Miraculous Medal.
Processions do not come always in the Parish. But when we have one, it is always well attended and participated in. They are greatly loved as well as so much appreciated!
The Parish had religious procession on the fiesta of San Fabian, 20 January. On this day, all the images of the Barangay Patron Saints are brought out and carried during the procession together with the image of Senor San Fabian. A procession is again held on Good Friday of the Holy Week. Literally, thousands would flock the procession of the Santo Bangkay. Another procession would be held during the feast of our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary following the month-long celebration of the Family Rosary Month in October. Finally, on the feast of Mary of the Miraculous Medal. This is one of the most attended processions mainly because the parish has about fifty-four coros with about 30 family-members each coro!
The individual images of each of the 54 coros were brought to the procession. Each is accompanied by the members of the coro. They are led by the Hermana, chosen by drawing of lots every year. Since there are 30 family-members, one’s turn to become a hermana would come only every after 30 years!
The images are put in a carriage, adorned with beautiful flowers. Some are put in make-shift carriages. Others in the padyak, a small tricycle, a “foot-powered” means of transportation popular in the country. Still, others are just carried in the arms of the hermana, or a member of the coro. The images are fairly small, generally. The oldest image dates back in the year 1936. That was the year the first coro of the Mary of the Miraculous Medal was established in San Fabian.
Except for the procession of the Santo Bangkay, the parishioners (especially the “akukoks”) would hold the processions early, early morning. Usually before the break of the dawn!
Candles are carried and lighted. These are the standard items to be carried. The band of the Parochial School accompanies the processions.
After the long procession, a mass was celebrated.
Then the sharing of food! Prepared by the hermana. Partaken by all the members. The drawing of lots is done to determine who will be next year’s hermana. It is a great honor and a wonderful privilege to be one. It is a responsibility which carries with it bountiful blessings and graces from God, through Mary of the Miraculous Medal.
It is an enviable lot to be considered as the hermana! A grateful hermana at the end of the year shares her blessings with the members of the coro. Thus, the bountiful and sumptuous meal!
