Who is “Nana Pilar?”

For the people of Imus in Cavite, located 21 kms. south of Manila, “Nana Pilar,” is an image of hope…the epitome of maternal love and protection…an expression of their strong Catholic faith and devotion.

Nuestra Senora del Pilar, affectionately called by the Imuseños as Nana Pilar, is the venerated image of the Blessed Virgin Mary brought to the country in 1623 by Rev. Fr. Martin Perez Peralta Lumbreras, OAR, (Order of the Augustinian Recollects). Fr. Martin was a native of Saragoza, Spain, where the Blessed Mother reportedly made her first apparition. However, no one knows the real age of the image. Some estimate that it might be more than three centuries old.

To honor the Blessed Mother, a big historical event – the Canonical Coronation of Nuestra Senora del Pilar de Imus unfolded on December 3, 2012. Excitement, joy, and reverence lined the faces of the Imuseños who flocked to join Nana Pilar in this momentous event. No less than Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI approved the crowning of the Marian image. The memorable occasion was led by His Eminence, Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, and now Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Metropolitan Archbishop Emeritus of Manila.

Presently, there have been 45 Marian images bestowed the honor of a canonical coronation that includes the beloved patroness of Imus, Nana Pilar, now enthroned in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Pillar at General Castañeda St. in Imus. It was said that the Recollect friars brought the image to Cavite on May 28, 1694, and was placed temporarily in the resting quarters of the priests called enfermaria at Casa Hacienda de Imus known now as the Cuartel. But devotion for the Ntra. Sra. Del Pilar actually started in the walled city of historic Intramuros. It was first housed at a small altar of the San Nicolas de Tolentino Church at Calle Recoletos in Intramuros, Manila.

Some might wonder what is so special about the Canonical Coronation. A Canonical Coronation, coronatio canonica in Latin, is a holy institutional act of the Pope duly contained in an Apostolic Letter, also dubbed as the Papal Bull. The Pope confers an ornamental crown, diadem, or halo to the most celebrated and revered image of Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary, or Saint Joseph in a certain diocese or locality.

But before the coronation could happen, then Bishop of Imus, His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, as well as the Parish Pastoral Council of Imus and then Team Ministry of the Our Lady of the Pillar Parish, headed by the Moderator, Rev. Fr. Allan C. Valero, made a petition for the Canonical Coronation of Nana Pilar. On May 11, 2011, His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, approved the petition for the said Canonical Coronation, that the image may be crowned under His Name and Authority. The original plan was for the Canonical Coronation to take place on November 26, 2012, to coincide with the closing ceremonies of the Golden Jubilee of the Diocese of Imus.

These conditions for the coronation should also be satisfied – that the image should be widely acclaimed, historically old, and that the image served as a ray of hope to its devotees through its miracles. The practice of Canonical Coronation originated in 1640 when Alejandro Sfortia, Marquis of Plascencia, left a large amount of money to be invested with its proceeds to fund the purchase of crowns made of precious metals for the canonical coronation. This was revealed in his last will and testament.

The celebrated image of Nana Pilar is de tallado, meaning it is an image carved with vestments of the Blessed Virgin holding the Child Jesus on her left arm. The image is standing on a pillar, and a dove is perched on the left palm of Jesus. Through the years, the image is now vested with real clothes. The Marian image is unique as it is a bit inclined to the right and with her right arm outstretched, as if welcoming anyone who needs her love and care.

Historical reports reveal that in 1715, the image of Nana Pilar was housed in different areas such as in a chapel made of bamboo and dried leaves in Pueblo Viejo, now called Bayan Luma. A stone chapel was built in its stead in September 1719, when fire and typhoons ravaged it. Enthronement of Nana Pilar in the church was said to have happened on September 28, 1779.

The crowning of the venerated images is considered as the highest distinction bestowed by the Catholic Church. Nuestra Senora del Pilar de Imus received the accolade because of the miracles made through her intercession.

One of these miracles is the story shared by Saint Ezequiel Diaz Moreno, OAR, a.k.a., Fr. Moreno, who served in the Imus Parish from 1882 to 1885. Fr. Moreno was sent to Imus by Parish Priest Jose Maria Learte during a cholera epidemic that hit Imus and neighboring locales. Fr. Moreno prayed fervently to the image of Nana Pilar to put an end to the epidemic that claimed the lives of more than 3,000 Imuseños. His prayers came true.

Another miracle ensued during the Japanese occupation. It was said that some Japanese soldiers planned on bombing a bridge near an old Spanish garrison (Cuartel), but their plan did not materialize after they suddenly saw a strange sight before them – a beautiful mother holding onto her child.

A resident, the late Omeng Crisostomo, narrated that he saw a long-haired, radiant, and beautiful woman bathing her son by a well (now the city plaza). And then later, he smelled fragrant roses. As the woman and her son walked towards the church, to Crisostomo’s surprise, he saw the church portal suddenly open, letting them inside the church with ease. Other residents, meanwhile, reported seeing a beautiful lady at the church belfry during inclement weather.

Even Cardinal Tagle had a miraculous encounter with “The Lady” during the month of October. He narrated that he experienced a different floral aroma from the Cathedral on the eve of the feast day of Nuestra Senora del Pilar. This happened on October 12, 2001, which prompted him to go out of the Cathedral. He asked a handful of vendors in Filipino if they also smelled the fragrant aroma he smelled earlier. And the vendors answered in the affirmative. They also asked him in a tone full of amazement – “Did you also smell the strange fragrance we smelled?”

After this happening, Cardinal Tagle said he suddenly got his appointment as bishop of the Diocese of Imus on October 17, 2001. Surely the Blessed Mother always makes her presence felt, especially in the hearts of the faithful in order to manifest and magnify God’s love for His flock.