Thousands of devotees in Baclaran Church will no longer be able to see the iconic image of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help at its altar temporarily.
Catholic church’s CBCP News reported that the image revered by thousands of Filipinos will be displayed for the last time on September 10 for another vigil from 9:30 a.m. until midnight to make way for the renovations of the of Baclaran Church, also known as the National Shrine of the Our Mother of Perpetual Help.
The image of the Virgin Mary has been the center of Filipinos’ Marian devotion in the last 70 years and is attributed to thousands of miracles claimed by devotees.
The initial removal ceremony, held last September 5 was celebrated with a Mass with several devotees in attendance. Although it was removed earlier and kept in the convent, the image stayed open for public veneration for a few days.
It was displayed inside the Church on September 7 at 5:45 p.m. until midnight of today, September 8 in time for the birthday of the Blessed Virgin.
After the two public veneration schedules, the Redemptorists will secure the icon inside the convent until the renovation of the church is done.
There is no timeline for the renovation. The CBCP News said that this is the third time for the image to be removed from the Baclaran Church altar.
The first time it was taken out was during World War II and in 1992 when the church was renovated.
