Our Lady of La Naval

Every second Sunday of October marks the feast day of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of La Naval, the Patroness of Quezon City.

This miraculous image was made in 1593 upon the request of Spanish Governor General Luis Perez Dasmariñas. Hernando de los Rios Coronel was tasked to see to it that the image was well carved by a Chinese artisan who was commissioned to do the job.

The Lady of La Naval is fifty six inches tall with her head and hands made of ivory. The Holy Child's image was made entirely of ivory. After more than 400 years, the image still retains its majestic and imposing beauty.

The greatest miracle attributed to the Lady of the Holy Rosary was in 1646 when 15 well-armed Dutch ships wiped out out the entire Spanish fleet in the Philippines. Two antiquated merchant galleons were commissioned and armed to repulse the Protestant Dutch invaders.

Before the battle began, Dominican priests embarked on the ships and asked the defenders to make a vow to the Nuetra Señora del Santissimo Rosario to make Her their personal and special patroness. Another promise they made was to make a grand feast in her honor once they won the battle.

True enough, the Spanish fleet defeated the Dutch and sank all its ships in six battles. This famous battle is known in history as the La Naval de Manila.

Photo above features the Our Lady of La Naval stamp issued by Philpost on October 18, 1993 to celebrate Her quadricentennial. The design was done by Ruperto Naval.