ILOILO City – The Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral is preparing for the influx of thousands of devotees for the feast of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria (Our Lady of Candles) on February 2, a significant religious and cultural celebration in this city and one of the biggest in the country.
Archbishop Jose Romeo O. Lazo of the Archdiocese of Jaro has called on the faithful to participate in the festivities.
With the expected surge of devotees, cathedral officials have coordinated with local authorities to ensure security and order during the festivities.
Devotees are encouraged to adhere to health and safety protocols while participating in the religious observances.
In a message delivered ahead of the celebration, Lazo emphasized that this year’s feast coincides with the lead-up to the 2025 Jubilee Year declared by Pope Francis, urging devotees to become “pilgrims of hope.”
Jaro’s devotion to Our Lady of Candles dates back to 1587, when fishermen reportedly discovered the image of the Blessed Mother with the Infant Jesus.
In 1981, Pope John Paul II canonically crowned the image during his visit to Iloilo, making it the only Marian image in Asia to receive such an honor directly from a pontiff.
“Mary is not only a bearer of light but also of hope,” said Lazo, noting that the devotion to Our Lady of Candles signifies faith and the desire for a better future.
“She was full of hope, bringing the light of the world. Let us rejoice with hope that Nanay Cande will visit us,” he said.
The feast commemorates the Presentation of Jesus Christ and reflects centuries-old Catholic traditions deeply rooted in the Ilonggo community. The event is marked by the blessing of perdon candles, symbolizing Christ as the light of the world, and a grand religious procession that draws pilgrims from across the region.
The perdon candle is the item most associated with the Candelaria fiesta. It is believed to be miraculous and is often lit during times of need, calamities, or when asking for divine intervention from “Nanay Cande”, the Ilongos’ term of endearment for the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Perdon in Spanish means forgiveness and for many, the candles symbolize hope and divine protection.
This hope is rooted in faith. The Marian image of Nuesta Señora de la Candelaria perched on the balcony of the cathedral, is widely believed to be miraculous also.
There’s the schedule of the fiesta Masses:
MAIN ALTAR
* 4 a.m. – Hiligaynon Mass by Rev. Fr. Rey G. Zerrudo
* 6 a.m. – English Mass by Very Rev. Jose Alberto E. Guillen
* 8 a.m. – Solemn Pontifical Mass with blessing of candles by Most Rev. Midyphil B. Billiones, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cebu
* 10 a.m. – Hiligaynon Mass by Rt. Rev. Msgr. Higino V. Velarde Jr.
* 12 noon – English Mass by Rev. Msgr. Meliton B. Oso
* 3 p.m. – Hiligaynon Mass by Very Rev. Msgr. Jose Marie Amado S. Delgado
* 4 p.m. – Solemn Procession
* 5 p.m. – Solemn Pontifical Mass by H.E. Jose Fuerte Cardinal Advincula, Metropolitan Archbishop of Manila
* 7 p.m. – Hiligaynon Mass by Rev. Fr. John N. Tadifa
* 8 p.m. – Mass by Rev. Msgr. Mario Cesar G. Enarsao
ST. JOHN PAUL GYM
* 4:30 a.m. – Hiligaynon Mass by Rev. Fr. Aris James G. Java
* 5:30 a.m. – English Mass by Rev. Fr. Victor Emmanuel E. Pendon
* 6:30 a.m. – Hiligaynon Mass by Rev. Fr. Nathaniel G. Gentizon
* 7:30 a.m. – English Mass by Rev. Fr. Theodbriel R. Villariza Jr.
* 8:30 a.m. – Hiligaynon Mass by Rev. Fr. Paul Patrick A. Alipao
* 9:30 a.m. – English Mass by Rev. Fr. Bunniel Reydel T. Ambao
* 10:30 a.m. – Hiligaynon Mass by Rev. Fr. Marcelino C. Cortez Jr.
* 11:30 a.m. – English Mass by Rev. Fr. Michael Pete F. Salmo
* 3 p.m. – Hiligaynon Mass by Rev. Fr. Michael Reeve J. Sogo-an
* 6:30 p.m. – English Mass by Rev. Fr. Martin B. Alarcon
* 7:30 p.m. – Hiligaynon Mass by Rev. Fr. Mark Joseph D. Hormigoso/PN
