Opinion: Here’s why Our Lady of Guadalupe means so much to the Filipino community

Fajardo is a long-time leader in the diocesan commission for Filipino Catholics, and lives in Bonita.

Everyone knows her as Mary, the mother of Jesus, the patroness of the Americas, from Alaska to South America and everywhere in between.

Here in Southern California, she is especially associated with the Mexican community. In neighborhoods where Hispanics live, you can see her image in stores, on clothing, cars, banners and, of course, churches.

But most people are surprised to learn that Our Lady of Guadalupe, who appeared on Tepeyac Hill near Mexico City to the indigenous man Juan Diego in 1531, is also the patroness of the Philippines.

When I mentioned this at a meeting with church leaders several years ago, the idea was dismissed. “That can’t be correct.” “It’s a different one, a different image.” Or “she’s just one of the many titles of Mary venerated in the Philippines, but she’s not a patroness.”

Both Hispanics and Filipinos reacted this way. This motivated me to learn more.

In the 15th century, the Spanish sent expeditions for “Gold, Glory and God” that included conquering and colonizing Mexico (New Spain) and the Philippines. For 250 years, the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade routes carried goods and treasures across the Pacific Ocean, and fostered cultural exchanges that shaped identities, including religion, on both shores, an influence that continues to this day.

Franciscan friars first brought the Catholic faith to the Philippines, with its traditions and devotions, including “La Guadalupana de México.” The first parish church founded in her honor was in Pagsanhan, Laguna, the Philippines, in 1687. Fray Agustín de la Magdalena carried the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a gift from Mexican devotees. This image remained in the church until it was destroyed during World War II, and replaced years later by another gift from Mexico.

Word that Our Lady of Guadalupe has answered prayers spread her devotion to other parts of the country, including Makati City (near Manila), Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu and others. Except for slight variations, the image as she appeared in Mexico City remained the same.

In May 1754, Pope Benedict XIV declared Our Lady of Guadalupe the “Patroness of New Spain,” which included California, Mexico and as far south as Guatemala and El Salvador. In 1910, Pope Pius X proclaimed her “Patroness of Latin America,” and then in 1946, Pope Pius XII named her “Patroness of the Americas.”

What surprises many is that on July 16, 1935, Pope Pius XI decreed the Virgin of Guadalupe of Mexico be “in perpetual remembrance” as the “The Celestial Patroness of the Philippine Islands.”

Filipinos are known as “el pueblo amante de María.” According to Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, “We are a people, a nation, in love with the Blessed Virgin Mary, because she loves us.”

Filipinos come to her for her powerful intercession and protection, and they bring their devotion with them as they migrate all over the world. Mary is our mother, who cares and protects us, leads us to her Son, Jesus. Filipinos affectionately call her their “Ina” (mother) or “Mamá Mary.”

She is venerated throughout the Philippines, under different titles and images, with roots from Spain and Mexico. Her images are in many homes, buildings, churches and schools. Towns and “barrios” name her as their patroness and celebrate their devotions with grand “fiestas.”

As a daughter of Filipinos from the Bicol region, our patroness is Our Lady of Peñafrancia, and I can attest our love for Mother Mary is deeply embedded in our culture. This devotion goes back to the Crusades in Spain through the Philippines to San Diego. Inang de Peñafrancia guides us to “stay awake,” look to her Son, and trust in God’s plan. I am in awe of the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the details of her image. It is obvious that the hand of God works through her. Appearing as a pregnant women centuries ago to Juan Diego gave hope and directly spread Christianity around the world. Mary hears the pleas of her children. She continues to be a protector of life and a champion for the oppressed, the poor and the needy.

By whatever name, Our Lady shows us how to live as disciples of Jesus Christ, and unites us in hope that God is present in our midst, merciful, caring, and loving. A few years ago, San Diego Bishop Robert McElroy began our diocese’s annual Mass celebrating Our Lady of Guadalupe and proclaimed, “We’re all guadalupanos.” He is so right.

This story originally appeared in San Diego Union-Tribune.