Candelaria Festival – Our Lady of the Candles

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CANDELARIA FESTIVAL

Photo from: http://www.iloilocity.org/candelaria.html

Jaro, Iloilo City celebrates the feast of Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria (Our Lady of Candles) every 2nd of February. In this event, Ilonggos visit this historical district to celebrate and pay tribute to Our Lady of Candles.

This religious activity, attracts local as well as foreign visitors who would like to experience this kind of solemn, special, and spiritual occasion being embraced by all of the Ilonggos.

Truly, the devotion to Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria (Our Lady of Candles) can be seen as the Jaro Cathedral is loaded with people from 4 AM Mass and to the evening Mass. A lot of devotees gathered at the front of the cathedral to offer honor to the Senora as well as light candles in her recognition. Read More: http://philippinestravelsite.com/jaro-fiesta-2015-feast-nuestra-senora-de-la-candelaria/

Photo from: http://philippinestravelsite.com/jaro-fiesta-2015-feast-nuestra-senora-de-la-candelaria/

All roads lead to Jaro every 2nd of February as Ilonggos flock this historic district to commemorate and honor the Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria (Our Lady of Candles). A religious activity, the Feast of Candelaria attracts local and foreign guests who wish to witness this solemn, grandiose, and spiritual event being shared by all Ilonggos.

Truly, our devotion to the Senora is evident as the Jaro Cathedral is filled with people starting from 4 AM Mass and well into the night. A sea of devotees amassed right in front of the church to give homage to the Senora and light candles in her honor.

Candles, this year in green and yellow, are lit at kiosks surrounding the cathedral. People are lining up to say prayers and light their candles. The blessed candles, the quintessential symbol of the fiesta, are said to provide protection to the faithful especially in times of disasters.

One of the highlights of the Jaro Fiesta is the procession which is participated by students, faithful, fiesta queen and princesses, and the clergy. Read More: http://iloiloilove.com/candelaria-jaro-fiesta-religiosity-tradition/

Photo from: https://ibpofficial.wordpress.com/page/8/

Our Lady of the Candles (Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria; formally: Nuestra Señora de la Purificación y Candelaria) is a Marian title and image venerated by Filipino Catholics in the Western Visayas. The image, which is enshrined in the balcony of Jaro Cathedral, is locally known as the patroness of Jaro District of Iloilo City and the whole of Western Visayas region.

The feast day of Our Lady of the Candles is on Candlemas (2 February), and is celebrated in Iloilo City with Tridentine Masses, a grand procession, and numerous other parades. Read More: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_the_Candles