MANILA, Philippines – Intramuros celebrates the feast of the Immaculate Concepcion with the grand Marian procession on Dec. 5, Sunday, 4 p.m., starting in front of the Manila Cathedral.
Mounted by the Cofradia de la Inmaculada Conception headed by Imelda Cojuangco every first Sunday of December, the event is a revival of the tradition that originated in Intramuros on Dec. 8, 1619. Then a national celebration, which ran for fifteen days, the event, was launched at the Manila Cathedral. The annual celebration is being held in cooperation with Intramuros Administration. Hermanas Mayores 2010 are Ces Manalo, Nellie Bengson and Thelma Gana.
A Hermanas Mayores Mass will precede the procession at 2 p.m. at the Cathedral. Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles will be the main celebrant.
Expected to join the procession are the venerated images of Our Lady of Manaoag, Nuestra Señora de Visitacion de Piat from Cagayan, Nuestra Señora Dela Soledad de Porta Vaga of Cavite, Our Lady of La Naval, Nuestra Señora delos Dolores de Turumba from Paco which is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its canonical coronation and Mary Mediatrix of All Grace of Antipolo del Norte, Lipa Batangas, La Divina Pastora of Nueva Ecija, among others.
Triduum of Masses will be held from Dec. 1 to 3 at 11:45 p.m., at the Manila Cathedral with Msgr. Nestor Cerbo as main celebrant.
The First Communion of 500 public school children took place yesterday. They are from the Rosario Almario Elementary School in Del Pan, Tondo under the auspices of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage. Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani was main celebrant.
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dministrator Jose Capistrano Jr. and Cofradia president Aurora Eismendi together with Comite de Festejos members Ado Escudero, Danny Dolor, Dey Arionday, Allan Tengco, Jun Pablo and Clifford Chua invite the public to join this year grand procession.
Over 500,000 devotees of the Virgin Mary all over the country are expected to attend this five-hour procession.