Our Lady of Namacpacan Devotion in Hampton Roads, Virginia
By Dr. Manuel Hipol (CUFOT, Chairman)
I was in High School when I first heard from my sister about the Miraculous Virgin
Mary in Luna, La Union. Many years have passed by until I finally graduated from
the Manila Central University. However, after all those many years of my schooling,
I have not forgotten the Our Lady of Namacpacan (OLN). Every time I passed by the
town of Luna, it always reminded me about this miraculous icon of The Blessed Virgin
Mary.
In the summer of 2008, we decided to take a family vacation in the Philippines.
At this time, we decided to visit Vigan, Ilocos Sur the hometown of my wife Rose.
Since we were passing the town of Luna, we scheduled to pay homage and respect to
our Lady of Namacpacan, my childhood dream. As we are coming close to the town,
I saw the beautiful St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral where Our Lady of Namacpacan
was enshrined. I was thrilled and as I enter the church, I saw the beautiful statue
of The Blessed Mother. She stands seven feet tall, enshrined at the right side of
the cathedral. She was beautiful, wearing a light blue and white garment looking
at me with her two extended hands by her sides. As if saying, come feel at home
and enjoy our warm Ilocandia hospitality. As I drew closer to her, I saw her radiant
face clearly, her soulful eyes as if telling me something. I held her hands and
prayed fervently for my family, my friends and for world peace. While standing in
front of her, as if there was a divine force telling me to spread her devotion in
America. I thank her that finally, after forty-six years I was able to visit our
Lady of Namacpacan with my family. We stayed at the cathedral for almost an hour.
I spoke with the parish priest, Rev. Father Mario Valdez and he told me about the
miracles she made. I also bought some relics and reading materials about the famous
Blessed Virginia of Luna, La Union.
The initial organizational meeting about the Novena of Our Lady of Namacpacan was
on December 1, 2007 at the Philippine Cultural Center of Virginia. The official
name of the organization is LADY OF NAMACPACAN ASSOCIATION in AMERICA (LONAA). The
purposes of the organization are:
1. To start a Novena Prayer for the devotees of Our Lady of Namacpacan in Hampton
Roads, VA and in America.
2. To encourage awareness of Our Lady of Namacpacan to the Ilocanos and the FilipinoAmericans
in the USA.
3. To extend help in the construction of the Pilgrims Inn of OLN in Luna, La Union
and its maintenance.
4. To help seminarians who are in need to finish their priesthood vocation. This
historic meeting was attended by families and friends consisting of Drs. Manny &
Rose Hipol, Oscar & Teresa Delostrinos, Roger & Lily Reyes, Teddy & Ampy Nerona,
Romeo & Linda Octavo, Henry & Ofelia Bucsit, Denia Jove, Edith Reyes, Mila Fermin,
Mila Dacumos and Mila Juris Marcelo.
LONAA celebrates its Feast Day or Fiesta during the month of November of each year
immediately after a series of Novena Prayers every Sunday of the week. The highlight
of the celebration was the renewal of marriage vows to commemorate the first Miracle
of Jesus Christ during the Wedding in Cana. Through the request of his Blessed Mother
of Jesus, he turned the Jars of water into wine during the wedding reception to
avoid embarrassment of the bride and groom.
LONAA is governed by its own Constitution and By-Laws. Since its formation, it remains
as an active member of the Council of the United Filipino Organizations of Tidewater
(CUFOT) and duly supports the mission and goals of CUFOT.
A brief history of OUR LADY OF NAMACPACAN; Our Lady of Namacpacan, commonly called
by the Ilocanos as “APO BAKET”, was enshrined at the St. Catherine of Alexandria
Parrish in Luna, La Union. It was in 1671 when an image of the Blessed Mary was
brought along the shores of Darigayos (now Luna). She was eventually venerated as
our Lady of Namacpacan from her miracles, by a special decree of Pope John XXIII.
She was canonically crowned on November 24, 1959 by the Vatican.