Marian Image in Dauis Church Crowned by Papal Nuncio, A First in Bohol
On August 15, a historic event in the history of the Dauis Church happened– Catholic devotees in Bohol witnessed the first canonical coronation in the entire Bohol province.
The canonical coronation was set at 9 in the morning, as the old miraculous Marian image of the Nuestra Señora de la Asunción is given the highest recognition, following the petition granted by Pope Francis. The Vatican has approved the said Marian image to be canonically crowned seven months after a request was made by church officials and Bishop Alberto Uy of Tagbilaran in July 2021.
A canonical coronation is an act bestowed by the Pope to crown an image, recognizing its significance in bringing honor as an image of Christ. Usually, this is done by the Pope’s representing proxy through the apostolic nuncio to the country.
The canonical crowning of Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion was revered by the Most Reverend Charles John Brown, who has served as the papal nuncio since 2012.
The petition for coronation was sent in 2021 and accepted by the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments. It is the dicastery responsible for upholding the Church’s discipline when it comes to the sacraments.
The Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, commonly known as “The Our Lady of the Assumption,” is the Mother and Patroness of the town of Dauis in Bohol. It is the most popular Marian image in the province, known for the miracles associated with the image through the years.
The image of the Our Lady of the Assumption is seen with her hands in prayer form or contemplation, different from the usual Assumption image. The face has a pensive beauty and looks solemn.
There is no record of where the image came from and who created it. But the miracle was believed to have started when a lady from Dalaguete, Cebu, asked a boatman to help her go to Mariveles, the old name of Dauis.
At first, the man was hesitant due to rough sea conditions, but the lady pleaded. The man was surprised that the journey was smooth sailing, but when they were nearing the church, he saw that the lady was no longer there, but only a camiseta. The boatman who went inside the Dauis Church was startled that the lady looked too similar to the Virgen de la Asunción on the altar.
Unfortunately, the image’s original head and jewel were stolen in 1974 but have since been replaced. The Dauis Church, built in the 18th century, is dedicated to the La Señora de la Asuncion. It has been renovated after it was made with light materials. It was declared a National Historical Landmark and a National Cultural Treasure in 2011. It was severely damaged when an earthquake hit in 2013, but despite that, the enshrined image was spared from the catastrophic hit.
Before the coronation, the image was restored with its century-old polychrome dress with the help of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.
The Department of Tourism Central Visayas (Region 7) and the Provincial Tourism Office of Bohol work hand in hand to promote faith-based and culinary tourism in the province. Highlighting the best of Bohol in terms of culture, places, food, and experiences, the local tourism office aims to attract more people to explore the wonders of Bohol beyond the famous Philippine Tarsier and Chocolate Hills.
It’s high time that locals and foreigners learn more about Bohol’s rich heritage by promoting its heritage sites and unique experiences. Come to Bohol and try it for yourself!
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