Getting Up Close to the Queen

Last October 13, 2012, I was so fortunate to Get Up close to the Miraculous and Regal Image of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, of the Navy of Manila, or popularly known as "La Naval de Manila". The Image was commissioned by Governor General Luis Perez Dasmariñas and was carved by a Chinese Pagan in 1593. The Head and Hands of the Virgin and the whole Niño is purely made of Ivory.

The Image of "La Naval de Manila" venerated at

Sto. Domingo Church Quezon City

It was around 5pm, when we left Parañaque. We hurried, so that we may reach the 6:30pm Novena Mass in Honor of the La Naval, though traffic got into are way as we were passing by Legarda and España. We arrived at Sto. Domingo at around 6:50pm, good thing it was still the Gospel. I thanked here for letting us arrive at Sto. Domingo safely. During Communion I prayed to her, that she may let me go near here for the Besa Manto. What added the Drama while I was praying, was the Tiples de Sto. Domingo and Mrs. Thea Perez-Tiongson, singing the O Beata Mater, which started to make me teary-eyed.

O Beata Mater

O Beata Mater et intacta virgo 
Intercede pro nobis
Speciosa et suavis es in delicis tuis
Sancta Dei Genitrix

Tola pulchra et non est in te 
Tola pulchra es et macula originalis non est in te

Tola pulchra es et macula originalis non est in te

Pulchra est et decora Filia Jerusalem

Terribilis, terribilis ut castrorum acies ordinate

Pulchra est et decora Filia Jerusalem

Tu Gloria, Tu Gloria Jerusalem

Tu Gloria, Tu Gloria Jerusalem

Tu laetitia, Laetitia Israel

Tu laetitia, Laetitia Israel

Tu laetitia Israel

Tu honorificantia, populi nostril
O Beata Mater

Right after the Communion Rev. Fr. Giuseppe Pietro Arsciwals O.P., gave some words of thank you for all of those who attended the 9 Days of Novena in Honor of the La Naval, because that night was the 9th Day of Novena to the La Naval. To conclude the Celebration of the Holy Eucharist, the Tiples de Sto. Domingo, sang the very Famous, Despidida ala Virgen. (Lyrics of the Despidida ala Virgen Below) The church was filled with the Angelic Voices of the Tiples and of the People Singing inside the Church. 

Despedida a La Virgen 
Adios, Reina del cielo
Madre, Madre del Salvador

Adios, adios!

Adios, dulce prenda adorada

Dulce prenda adorada de mi sincero amor
Adios, Reina del cielo, adios, adios.
Madre del Salvador, Madre del Salvador
De tu divino rostro la belleza al dejar
Permiteme que vuelva tus plantas a besar;
He quedado O Maria, abrasado en tu amor,
Quedate adios Señora, adios, adios.
Dame tu bendicion, dame tu bendicion.
Madre amorosa prenda de amor
Adios, adios!

While the Tiples was still singing, the People started to Line Up at the Nave, so that they may be able to get up close to the La Naval first. I too hurried to the Nave so that I may Line Up too for the Besa Manto. Here are some Pics of the La Naval that I took before she went down the altar for the Besa Manto:

While we waiting for our turn to go near the La Naval, we took the time to pray the Holy Rosary as one family. It was Praiseworthy for the Dominicans to place a Line for the Elderly Ones and the Sick, at the Left side of the Sanctuary. When we Finished praying the Holy Rosary, I took this time to Observe the Preparations for the Fiesta in the Church. Here are some Pics I took as I was observing the Preparations for the Fiesta in the Church.

The "Baldachino", after the La Naval had went

down.

The Dome of Sto. Domingo

The Sanctuary full of People.

The Sanctuary

The Pipe Organ, half way finished.

Floral Arrangements at the Steps of the Sanctuary

Mang Rolly preparing the Stage wherein the La Naval will be removed her Carozza.

The Altar Table

White Flowers

Mary, Comforter of the Afflicted 

As I stepped on the sanctuary I started to take Pictures of the La Naval from the Front of the Altar Table. I was amazed that I had good shots of her from afar. Here are some pics of her from the Altar Table: