Philippine Diary:
The Old Franciscan Church
in Santa Ana

Q U I C K S C A N

Our Lady of the Abandoned
Visiting the parish in Santa Ana today
Prayer to Our Lady of the Abandoned

Historians tell us that the town of Santa Ana was founded in 1578 and was the first Franciscan mission established outside the old walled city of Manila. This community chose St. Ann, the mother of Mary, as its patron saint. The first parish church, dedicated to Santa Ana, was made out of bamboo and nipa (palm leaves). It was built under the supervision of the Franciscan friars.

	Built in 1720, this is the Church of Our Lady of the Abandoned as it looks today. (Photo by Jack Wintz, O.F.M.)

By 1720, a new church and friary were built out of stone and wood. That church is the subject of this month’s E-spirations. Father Vicente Ingles, a Spanish Franciscan and the superior of the friars during this time, was the founder and builder of this church and friary.

Our Lady of the Abandoned

In the early 1700s, Father Vicente went to Valencia, Spain. The friar had been very enamored of a famous image of Our Lady that had become a big spiritual attraction in Valencia. The image is now known as “Our Lady of the Abandoned” (in Spanish, Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados). But there is quite a story behind the image—a story that began in Valencia centuries earlier.

	This image of Our Lady of the Abandoned, bedecked with sparkling gems, was brought from Valencia, Spain, to the Philippines in 1717. (Photo by Jack Wintz, O.F.M.)

The first title given to this image of Mary was “Our Lady of the Innocents.” The devotion to Our Lady was linked with a most innocent, yet shunned, group of humans, known in that era as “the insane.” But the title was also applied to similar “unfortunates” seeking Our Lady’s protection: people despised, forsaken and abandoned by society—even prisoners condemned to the gallows. Although other titles were given to Mary, the one that eventually became permanent was “Our Lady of the Abandoned.”

While Father Vicente was in Valencia, he decided to have a copy made of this image—venerated in Valencia with so much devotion—for Santa Ana Parish, which was in the process of being constructed near Manila. After reverently touching the copy to the original, the friar brought the new art piece with him to the Philippines in 1717. The image has been venerated in Santa Ana for almost 300 years. In time, the parish became known as Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish, as it is today. But St. Ann, the original patron of the parish, has not been forgotten. Today, a statue of St. Ann with the child Mary at her side still stands in a niche directly above the exquisite image of Our Lady of the Abandoned that Father Vicente brought from Valencia.

Visiting the parish in Santa Ana today

	Father Elias Manlangit, O.F.M, stands inside the church’s huge front door. (Photo by Jack Wintz, O.F.M.)

In February 2008, Father Elias Manlangit, O.F.M., present pastor of Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish, kindly took me and another visitor on a tour of the parish church and friary. Among other things, Father Elias showed us the Camarin de la Virgen (the little room of the Virgin). This is a small chapel located behind the image of Our Lady of the Abandoned. The image is located above the main altar of the parish church and looks out over the body of the church. Thus, those in the small private chapel can view Our Lady from the back while others are viewing her from the front in the main church. The Camarin is a lovely chamber for private prayer with small pews and with several paintings of scenes from Christ’s life on the ceiling.

This is the main altar and ornate retablo (altarpiece) of the church. (Photo by Jack Wintz, O.F.M.)

Novenas to Our Lady of the Abandoned are customarily held on Saturdays. A small prayer brochure given to me at the parish states: “To this day, miracles and special favors are attributed to [Our Lady’s] unbounded kindness and mercy. The abandoned, the oppressed, the mentally ill, draw from her the most inspiring and uplifting consolation.”

Prayer to Our Lady of the Abandoned

“Protect us, Our Lady and Our Mother. Protect our families, our people, the Philippine nation and the whole world. Deliver us from wars and conflicts…. Grant to those who enjoy material blessings eyes of mercy and a generous heart. Give to all bread, shelter and a home filled with love. Amen.” (Condensed from prayer brochure at Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish, Santa Ana, Manila.)

Friar Jim’s Inbox

Readers respond to Friar Jim’s “Catechism Quiz: Being Caught by the Lord.”

Dear Friar Jim: Thank you so much for the insight into the story of the adulterous woman. My whole life (and I’m old), I’ve felt annoyed about the apparent “unfairness” of it—“it takes two to tango.” But you showed me that she was the lucky one.  It’s amazing how a few words can make a difference in my life. Trudy

Dear Trudy: Yes, indeed, she was the fortunate one. Meeting Jesus, even in the worst of circumstances, doesn’t stop him from giving life and hope. Friar Jim

Dear Friar Jim: I love reading your reflections. Your articles are not only uplifting and inspirational but also always lend a new meaning to familiar passages that I’ve never heard before. “Being caught by the Lord” struck me in such a way that I asked myself how often do I accept the freedoms Jesus offers, as the woman did, and how often do I turn my back on him because it wasn’t what I was looking for, like the Pharisees. God bless and keep up the good work. Dennis

Dear Friar Jim: Your article on Jesus catching men made me think of how wonderful it is to have a merciful, loving God.  No matter what we do or how we sin, Jesus is full of mercy and forgiveness.  We are not worthy, but I know that when I do receive h is forgiveness, I, too, am filled with a relief and experience a wonderful lightness of heart. Keep up the great work, and you’re in my prayers. Carol

Dear Dennis and Carol: Thank you for your kind words and insight. Friar Jim

Send your feedback to friarjack@americancatholic.org.

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