The Saga of La Naval: Triumph of a People's Faith

The Philippines has always been described as un Pueblo amante de Maria, a country in love with Mary. The filial devotion to the Blessed Mother has been propagated by the Spanish missionaries since the 16th century. As a result, one-fourth of all parishes in the country have the Virgin Mary as their titular patroness without counting innumerable barrio chapels,religious oratories or private shrines dedicated to her. But of all the marian images in the country, the image of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary under the title La Naval de Manila holds the primordial place in antiquity and devotion.