Thousands Flock To Dumaguete To Pay Tribute To Visiting Miraculous Our Lady Of Simala

Thousands of Marian devotees keep coming to Dumaguete City, the capital of Negros Oriental, to pay homage to the visiting pilgrim image of the Our Lady of Simala, which arrived Monday for a five-day visit.

The Our Lady of Simala from Lindogon, Simala in Sibonga, Cebu, is said to be miraculous, having shed tears in previous occasions and has grown in popularity over the years since a child who was dying from dengue was healed, according to famous accounts.

Bishop Julito Cortes of the Diocese of Dumaguete officiated the concelebrated mass Monday evening at the St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral in this city in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Simala.

Arriving Monday afternoon in Negros Oriental, the pilgrim image was brought to Dumaguete on a motorcade that was joined by thousands of pilgrims either traveling with her from Cebu or awaiting her arrival here.

Leading the pilgrimage was Brother Martin and another brother of the Marian Monks of Eucharistic Adoration (MMEA), the congregation that runs the Marian Shrine in Lindogon, Simala.

Bishop Cortes, a staunch Marian devotee, expressed gratitude during his homily for the visit of the Our Lady of Simala to Dumaguete.

He noted that the Our Lady of Simala arrived here Monday, just as the Catholic faithful were celebrating the Solemnity of the Annunciation, when the Angel Gabriel made the announcement to Mary that she was to bear a child conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Mary’s example of faith and trust in God when she said “yes”, despite having uncertainties being human, is an inspiration for the people to follow, Cortes said.

Nothing is more befitting than to be forever grateful to the Blessed Mother Mary because it was when she trusted God that Jesus Christ came to this world to save humanity from eternal damnation, the prelate pointed out.

The visit of the Our Lady of Simala hopefully will bring plenty of graces and blessings for the people here, Cortes said.

“Instead of us usually going to visit her in Simala, she has honored has with her presence here this time. A very motherly sign of her care, concern and nurturing nature”, Bishop Cortes emphasized.

Many people who cannot visit the Marian image at the Simala Shrine now have the opportunity to see her here during the week through Friday afternoon when it will return to Cebu.

The Our Lady of Simala is at the Cathedral from Monday up to Friday morning, with regular masses held throughout as well as dawn processions in the coming days.

A grand procession around Dumaguete is set Thursday evening, and a farewell mass on Friday at 9 a.m. to be officiated by Bishop Cortes.

The prelate said he is overjoyed with the “extraordinary presence” of the Our Lady of Simala, noting how popular the Blessed Mother is that wherever this particular pilgrim image goes, thousands of devotees never stop coming to see her.

The Cathedral, which was overflowing with people, did not come as a surprise to the bishop, describing it as an indication of how so many people love the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is the most powerful intercessor closest to the Savior, Cortes added. (PNA) LAP/JFP