Thousands of devotees gathered at the Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe for the Grand Coronadas Procession, one of the principal events of the 124th Celebración del Julio.
The annual celebration commemorates the end of the 1902 cholera epidemic, which the faithful have long attributed to the power of the Holy Cross and the maternal intercession of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe.
Distinct from a typical parish procession, this year’s Grand Coronadas Procession brought together only sacred images that have received either an episcopal or canonical coronation—ecclesiastical honors granted to images that have inspired enduring devotion and have become recognized centers of pilgrimage and spiritual life.
By assembling these crowned images in a single procession, the Archdiocese highlighted the richness of Marian devotion while inviting the faithful to offer a united expression of gratitude, faith, and filial love for the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The four-hour procession, which began at 6:00 p.m., featured the crowned images of Virgen de los Remedios of Labangon, La Inmaculada Concepción of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, Nuestra Señora de Lourdes of Punta Princesa, Nuestra Señora del Santísimo Rosario of Sto. Rosario Parish, Patrocinio de María Santísima of Boljoon, and Nuestra Señora de la Regla of Lapu-Lapu City.
At the heart of the procession was the Holy Family, represented by the images of San Jose de la Montaña, the Señor Santo Niño de Cebu, and the Patroness of the Archdiocese, Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe de Cebu, inviting the faithful to contemplate the mystery of the Incarnation through the lives of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
Adding to the significance of this year’s celebration was the participation of the image of Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia from Naga City, Camarines Sur, whose presence further strengthened the bonds of Marian devotion shared by the faithful across the Philippines.
Prior to the foot procession, devotees participated in the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Msgr. Joseph C. Tan, Episcopal Vicar of District I, preparing spiritually for the evening’s solemn expression of faith and devotion.