Baclaran Chruch
Overview
The National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, also known as the Redemptorist Church and popularly known as the Baclaran Church, is a prominent Latin-rite Roman Catholic church in the Philippines.
The shrine is one of the largest Marian churches in the Philippines, authorized by the Holy See to remain open 7 days a week for 24 hours a day, and houses one of the most venerated and celebrated Marian images in the country, called Our Mother of Perpetual Help, to which miraculous powers and historic events are ascribed. The shrine serves as the main headquarters for Redemptorist priests residing in the Philippines, headed by its rector, Rev. Fr. Victorino "Ino" Cueto, C.Ss.R.
Religious devotees flock to this sanctuary every Wednesday in what has become popularly known as Baclaran Day, and participate in a popular Marian novena offered for the Blessed Virgin Mary's reputed miraculous aid and intercession.
The original icon suspended in the altar came from Germany, but was transported to Ireland then brought to the Philippines in 1906. It bears a Papal seal in the back paneling. Many Filipino Roman Catholics attribute the overwhelming attendance and devotion to the Marian icon as Baclaran Phenomenon. The parish celebrates its annual feast day on June 27, the liturgical feast day of the Marian title.
The shrine has been graced and blessed by Blessed Pope John Paul II, who visited the shrine during his Apostolic Visit in Manila in 1981.
History
The Redemptorist priests brought the icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help to Baclaran in 1906. Wednesday has been known as Baclaran day since the first Baclaran Novena was conducted on June 23, 1948, a Wednesday. Contrary to popular belief, the Perpetual Novena did not start in Baclaran but in the province of Iloilo at the Redemptorist Church of San Clemente. After witnessing the devotion of the Ilonggos (Iloilo natives) to the Mother of Perpetual Help Novena, the Irish Redemptorist Father Gerard O'Donnell introduced the novena to Baclaran. Father Leo English conducted the first Baclaran Novena with 70 participants.
The icon and the church have undergone changes over time. In 1932, the Redemptorist priests replaced the Mother of Perpetual Help icon with a larger version to accommodate the growing number of devotees. The present church building of Modern Romanesque style is the third to be built on the same site. In December 1952, the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help was completed.
The Shrine
The Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help in Baclaran has symbolic significances to the Catholic faith. The shrine has many parts which are made with exquisite materials made for the people. The baldachin is the shrine's centerpiece. Its columns and capitals are made of giallo oro and Bottecino marbles. The gracefully curving altar rails under the baldachin are made of white Carrara marble. The shrine’s columns are made of Black Belgium marble, Moroccan onyx and Venetian mosaics.
Gallery
List of accommodations in Parañaque
- 188 Residence Inn - Doña Soledad Avenue, Better Living Subdivision, Don Bosco
- Carlston Hotel - Airport Road, Baclaran
- Casa Joaquin Bed and Breakfast - Caliraya Drive, Marian Lakeview Park, San Martin de Porres
- Chateau Elysee - Doña Soledad Avenue Extension, Bicutan
- Colors Hotel - Riverwiew Compound, Quirino Avenue, Tambo
- El Grande Hometel Inn - El Grande Avenue, BF Homes
- Happy Coconuts Hostel - El Grande Avenue, BF Homes
- Isabelle Garden Hotel and Suites - E. Rodriguez Avenue, Moonwalk
- Manila Airport Hotel - PAL Drive, Airplane Village, NAIA Terminal I Complex, Vitalez
- Nichols Airport Hotel - Quirino Avenue, Baclaran (near Tambo)
- Oyster Plaza Hotel - Ninoy Aquino Avenue corner Kabihasnan Road, Sucat
- Rodello's Bed and Breakfast - Armstrong Avenue (Moonwalk Access Road), Moonwalk Village Phase I, Moonwalk
- Savannah Resort Hotel - El Grande Avenue, BF Homes
- Southland Apartelle Hotel - A. Aguirre Avenue corner Jerusalem Street, BF Homes
- Villa Carolina Townhouse Hotel - Roxas Boulevard corner Bayview Drive, Tambo
Transportation
Rail Transport
Parañaque is served by the LRT-1 (via Baclaran Station, which is located in Pasay City) and the PNR (via Bicutan station).
Airport
Parañaque is also the location of one of Ninoy Aquino International Airport's terminal. This terminal is Terminal 1 located along Ninoy Aquino Avenue. The flights of major international airlines are located in this terminal.
Road Network
Parañaque is accessed by these following major roads:
- South Luzon Expressway
- Coastal Road
- Metro Manila Skyway
- Dr. Arcadio Santos Avenue (Sucat Road)
- Carlos P. Garcia Avenue (C-5 South Extension)
- C-6 Road
Buses, jeepneys, taxis and tricycles are available as a mode of transportation inside and outside the Parañaque.