Upon learning that the ancient image of Virgen Peregrina is down from Her high altars, I went to visit Her before heading for work. Here's a brief history of the Virge. My warmest thanks to Mr. Mark Yabut Titong for providing me the info. In 1783, the Franciscan Friars of the Province of San Gregorio Magno transferred the center of the Third Order of St. Francis of Assisi ( S.F.O.) to Sampaloc. And in 1794, allowed the tertiary to build a chapel next to the Parish of Our Lady of Loreto. This was placed under the patronage of Nuestra Señora de la Peregrina and her image was installed in its main altar. This chapel became the scene of religious ceremonies in her honor. The feature of the devotion to Our Lady of Pilgrims was the annual procession which thousands attended. On July 1880, the Chapel of the Venerable Orden |
Tercera or Venerable Order of Tertiary was greatly damaged by an earthquake. Rev. Fr. Pedro Flores,OFM started the initial repairs on the chapel. But it was under Rev. Fr. Ramon Cervices, OFM, that a totally new edifice was finished in 1888.
However, this sanctuary to the Blessed Virgin Mary was totally destroyed in the catastrophe of World War II. In the early days of February 1945 – during the Liberation of Manila, V.O.T chapel was gutted by fire. But thanks to the efforts of Rev. Fr. Jose Pamintuan – Parish Priest of Our Lady of Loreto, the image of the Peregrina was saved. For a time it occupied a temporary altar at the Priest’s Residence, sharing it with the miraculous image of Our Lady of Loreto.
After the war, Rev. Fr. Mariano Montero, OFM transferred the image and devotion of St. Anthony of Padua from its temporary refuge at the Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados Parish, Santa Ana, Manila to the ruins of V.O.T. chapel in Sampaloc. The new Shrine and Friary was completed and rededicated to St. Anthony of Padua in 1947 by His Eminence Rufino J. Santos, D.D., Archbishop of Manila. From then devotion to St. Anthony of Padua flourished in this new Shrine.
However, this sanctuary to the Blessed Virgin Mary was totally destroyed in the catastrophe of World War II. In the early days of February 1945 – during the Liberation of Manila, V.O.T chapel was gutted by fire. But thanks to the efforts of Rev. Fr. Jose Pamintuan – Parish Priest of Our Lady of Loreto, the image of the Peregrina was saved. For a time it occupied a temporary altar at the Priest’s Residence, sharing it with the miraculous image of Our Lady of Loreto.
After the war, Rev. Fr. Mariano Montero, OFM transferred the image and devotion of St. Anthony of Padua from its temporary refuge at the Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados Parish, Santa Ana, Manila to the ruins of V.O.T. chapel in Sampaloc. The new Shrine and Friary was completed and rededicated to St. Anthony of Padua in 1947 by His Eminence Rufino J. Santos, D.D., Archbishop of Manila. From then devotion to St. Anthony of Padua flourished in this new Shrine.