El Divino Rostro
THE SPIRITUALITY OF THE DEVOTION TO THE DIVINO ROSTRO
"How can we with mortal eyes contemplate this image, whose celestial splendor the host of heaven presumes not to behold? He who dwells in heaven condescends this day to visit us by His venerable image; He who is seated on the cherubim visits us this day by a picture, which the Father has delineated with His immaculate hand, which He has formed in an ineffable manner and which we sanctify by adoring it with fear and love."
(from a Medieval Byzantine Hymn)
As we look the icon of El Divino Rostro, under these disfigured features of the Divino Rostro, we ask; "is it an image of a God? is it an image of a powerful God?" Yes...it is an image of a loving God, even though it depicts the Suffering Man of Sorrows, a person in pain, under the shades of death, yet, it is the image of Christ, as what Saint Paul wrote in his Christological canticle - he remained obedient unto death - even unto the death on the Cross. And the face of our redeemer is, according to another Pauline letter - He is the visible image of the invisible God
"How can we with mortal eyes contemplate this image, whose celestial splendor the host of heaven presumes not to behold? He who dwells in heaven condescends this day to visit us by His venerable image; He who is seated on the cherubim visits us this day by a picture, which the Father has delineated with His immaculate hand, which He has formed in an ineffable manner and which we sanctify by adoring it with fear and love."
(from a Medieval Byzantine Hymn)
As we look the icon of El Divino Rostro, under these disfigured features of the Divino Rostro, we ask; "is it an image of a God? is it an image of a powerful God?" Yes...it is an image of a loving God, even though it depicts the Suffering Man of Sorrows, a person in pain, under the shades of death, yet, it is the image of Christ, as what Saint Paul wrote in his Christological canticle - he remained obedient unto death - even unto the death on the Cross. And the face of our redeemer is, according to another Pauline letter - He is the visible image of the invisible God
IN OSA DELA VEGA
In the town of Osa de la Vega, Spain there lived once Gregorio de la Torre and Isabel Corral, a very religious couple who inherited from Father Juan Montilla, a picture of Jesus Face (Divino Rostro).
To the amazement of many who bear witness of its veracity, the miraculous image of Our Lord began to sweat blood. Fast as a prairie fire, the news reached every corner of the town and in no time throng after throng of people fought hard to have a glance of the holy picture. The house became too small for a huge crowd, so the couple decided to request for its transfer to the church. There it easily stole the show, so to say becoming in a becoming in a short lapse of time the object of a very special devotion of the inhabitants.
In the year 1834, 1855 and 1865 the “cholera morbo” broke in Spain. Many of its towns suffered from the rueful effects of the dreadful malady. Thru a special flux of Divine Providence, however, attributed only to a special devotion of the people to the Divino Rostro, Osa de la Vega did not witness of demise of even one of its inhabitants. From them, the already popular devotion to the Divino Rostro soared to its heights and Osa de la Vega’s confidence in its power knew no bounds.
In the town of Osa de la Vega, Spain there lived once Gregorio de la Torre and Isabel Corral, a very religious couple who inherited from Father Juan Montilla, a picture of Jesus Face (Divino Rostro).
To the amazement of many who bear witness of its veracity, the miraculous image of Our Lord began to sweat blood. Fast as a prairie fire, the news reached every corner of the town and in no time throng after throng of people fought hard to have a glance of the holy picture. The house became too small for a huge crowd, so the couple decided to request for its transfer to the church. There it easily stole the show, so to say becoming in a becoming in a short lapse of time the object of a very special devotion of the inhabitants.
In the year 1834, 1855 and 1865 the “cholera morbo” broke in Spain. Many of its towns suffered from the rueful effects of the dreadful malady. Thru a special flux of Divine Providence, however, attributed only to a special devotion of the people to the Divino Rostro, Osa de la Vega did not witness of demise of even one of its inhabitants. From them, the already popular devotion to the Divino Rostro soared to its heights and Osa de la Vega’s confidence in its power knew no bounds.
NUEVA CACERES, BISHOP CASIMIRO P. HERRERO, AND FR. PEDRO DE LA TORRE Y DEL POZO.
When Father Pedro de la Torre (the Native of Osa dela Vega), recently named Provisor and Vicar General of the Diocese of Nueva Ceceres came to Naga, he brought with him to this place a picture of the Divino Rostro, a carbon copy of the one found in Osa de la Vega. The picture was exposed to the piety of the inhabitants of the town and after a lapse of years, it became very popular.
In the year 1882 a “colera morbo” broke out in Manila. A cure for the disease was not yet discovered so many died of the disease rapidly the dreadful disease reached Naga and according to Fr. Jose Ma. Lesa, who was then the Chaplain of the Shrine of the Virgin of Peñafrancia many people died during the epidemic. The bishop, Msgr. Casimiro Hererro had the image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia brought to the Cathedral imploring her natural and maternal protection and help for the townspeople from the dreadful disease.
When Father Pedro de la Torre (the Native of Osa dela Vega), recently named Provisor and Vicar General of the Diocese of Nueva Ceceres came to Naga, he brought with him to this place a picture of the Divino Rostro, a carbon copy of the one found in Osa de la Vega. The picture was exposed to the piety of the inhabitants of the town and after a lapse of years, it became very popular.
In the year 1882 a “colera morbo” broke out in Manila. A cure for the disease was not yet discovered so many died of the disease rapidly the dreadful disease reached Naga and according to Fr. Jose Ma. Lesa, who was then the Chaplain of the Shrine of the Virgin of Peñafrancia many people died during the epidemic. The bishop, Msgr. Casimiro Hererro had the image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia brought to the Cathedral imploring her natural and maternal protection and help for the townspeople from the dreadful disease.
On August 28, 1882, it was officially declared that the worldwide cholera pandemic had reached the city of Nueva Caceres, now Naga City. The entire population of the city was in indescribable panic. People who knew of the devotion to the Holy Face and how it delivered Osa de la Vega from cholera beseeched F. Pedro de la Torre, a native and former Parish Priest of Osa de la Vega and then Provisor and Vicar General of the diocese, to bring his personal Cuadro of the Divino Rostro painted in oil to the Cathedral beside the Statue of the Lady of Peñafrancia for joint public veneration and petition for help in the eradication of the cholera pandemic. Then Bishop of Nueva Caceres Casimiro P. Herrero (1880-1886) had previously ordered that the Lady of Peñafrancia be brought to the Cathedral. F. De la Torre gladly acceded to the request and so on the 3rd day of September, the images of the Divino Rostro and the Lady of Peñafrancia were both carried in a procession around the plaza of the Cathedral and later emplaced at the Altar of the same Cathedral.
Casualties continued to increase. A devotee proposed that the priests should make a written vow, offering that if the cholera disappeared or at least the number of victims decreased before the Feast Day of the Divino Rostro which was the 10th of September that year, the priests themselves would carry the palanquin of the Divino Rostro in a procession. At 9 o'clock in the evening of that terrible day of September 5, 1882 when 154 deaths were recorded, F. Fermin Deza, the Parish Priest of the Cathedral, while two priests were reciting the "Miserere" (Psalm 51), placed the written vow of the priests before the Divino Rostro. Miracle of miracles! The following day there was an extraordinary decrease in the number of cholera victims. When the 10th of September came, they were able to solemnly celebrate the Feast Day thanking God for their deliverance from the cholera pandemic.
Casualties continued to increase. A devotee proposed that the priests should make a written vow, offering that if the cholera disappeared or at least the number of victims decreased before the Feast Day of the Divino Rostro which was the 10th of September that year, the priests themselves would carry the palanquin of the Divino Rostro in a procession. At 9 o'clock in the evening of that terrible day of September 5, 1882 when 154 deaths were recorded, F. Fermin Deza, the Parish Priest of the Cathedral, while two priests were reciting the "Miserere" (Psalm 51), placed the written vow of the priests before the Divino Rostro. Miracle of miracles! The following day there was an extraordinary decrease in the number of cholera victims. When the 10th of September came, they were able to solemnly celebrate the Feast Day thanking God for their deliverance from the cholera pandemic.
In great gratitude to the Divino Rostro and recognizing the requests of the devotees, F. De la Torre, although he found it difficult to part with his prized possession but conscious that the devotion was going to spread, gladly acceded and donated his Cuadro of the Divino Rostro to the Sanctuary of the Lady of Peñafrancia. He placed it at the Gospel side of the chapel with its own altar named "Altar del Divino Rostro de Osa de la Vega". At present, the original image of the Divino Rostro is at same place that the Divino Rostro occupies in the Old Shrine, in the Basilica Minore and National Shrine of Our Lady of Penafrancia
Bishop Herrero later decreed that from that year onward the Divino Rostro shall always be carried with the Lady of Peñafrancia in the Traslación and Fluvial Processions, and an integral part of the Celebration of her Fiesta in Naga.
When the wooded frame of the miraculous image became old and deteriorated, Dna. Fabaiana Arejola Vda. de Reyes, then the president of the Penafrancia Association, donated a silver frame ordered from the famous Zamora brothers. Unfortunately the silver plates of the frame were stolen in 1976.
She also ordered the construction of a beautiful palanquin or andas which was used until 2009, where a new half-dome andas is being used during procession.
Bishop Herrero later decreed that from that year onward the Divino Rostro shall always be carried with the Lady of Peñafrancia in the Traslación and Fluvial Processions, and an integral part of the Celebration of her Fiesta in Naga.
When the wooded frame of the miraculous image became old and deteriorated, Dna. Fabaiana Arejola Vda. de Reyes, then the president of the Penafrancia Association, donated a silver frame ordered from the famous Zamora brothers. Unfortunately the silver plates of the frame were stolen in 1976.
She also ordered the construction of a beautiful palanquin or andas which was used until 2009, where a new half-dome andas is being used during procession.
The Divino Rostro of Bicolandia measures 61 cm. long and 47 cm wide. On the top of the silver frame, is an artwork depicting the instruments of the passion and sufferings of Our Lord, the crown of thorns, the nails, the lances, and the cross. The Divine Face of Jesus is imprinted on the white veil of St. Veronica, the wounded bleeding, sorrowful face of Jesus looks at anyone who looks over Him with soul-searching eyes. What could He be telling you and me?
Under the initiative of Rev. Fr. Concordio Sarte, Auxillary Bishop of Caceres, then Rector of the Parish of Peñafrancia Shrine started a perpetual novena in honor of the Divino Rostro, this novena takes place before or after the first mass of Friday at the shrine.
Under the initiative of Rev. Fr. Concordio Sarte, Auxillary Bishop of Caceres, then Rector of the Parish of Peñafrancia Shrine started a perpetual novena in honor of the Divino Rostro, this novena takes place before or after the first mass of Friday at the shrine.
Divino Rostro sa Bikol
(courtesy - Katesismo of Archdiocese of Caceres) |
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