The 38th Grand Marian Procession of 100 Images & Schedule 2017 in Intramuros, Manila

Last year out of the blue, I and my sister braved the traffic and heat to join the Grand Marian Procession inside Intramuros, a historic site in Manila. We know it is going to be crowded but we still pushed through because of three things: mom is devoted to the Virgin Mary and sister as well. The third one is that my mom even named me after her - my full first name is Maria Rona. This procession is a long line of the grandest, most historical and most precious saint statues from different parts of Manila and some from nearby provinces.  You really need to wear light clothing and flats to survive all through the night. I would say it is one of the best Marian processions in the Philippines I have ever seen. We left around 5pm and arrived close to 6pm. I have to admit this, I have grown to be a less religious Catholic. I am a hundred percent though I still believe that there's God out there. 

Brief History 

It was in Dec 1619 when the very first Marian Grand Procession in Intramuros happened. It was observed in 15 days in the middle of the Second World War's wreck. It stopped during the height of war but in 198, the Intramuros Administration in cooperation with Cofradia de la Inmaculada Concepcion

The organization behind this annual religious event in Manila are the Cofradia de la Inmaculada Concepcion and Intramuros Organization. The Grand Marian Procession is done in the last month of the year, usually on a Sunday night. In every Grand Marian parade in Manila, there's a patron saint statue accompanied by its local patrons.  Some are dressed in local Filipiniana attire singing and dancing to the tune of their patron saint's hymn. Heaps of fresh, brightly-colored flowers adore every corner of each of their patron saint's carriage or carrozza. It's gonna be a bit hot because of the thick crowd plus the noise from every band of every participating province.

Santa Ana de Hagonoy

The Feast of the Immaculate Concepcion (principal patroness of the Philippines) also happens on December 8th.  This event is also in relation to the Grand Marian Procession because both celebrate the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus.  Historically speaking, the Marian grand procession is actually part of Intramuros’ rich history since 1619 (during the Spanish period).

Schedule of 38th Grand Marian Procession in Intramuros, Manila

TRIDUUM OF MASSES

Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception

(Manila Metropolitan Cathedral)

November 28 - 30, 2017 at 1130 am

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION MASS

Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception

December 1, 2017

HERMANOS MAYORES MASS

Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception

December 3, 2017

GRAND MARIAN PROCESSION

Plaza Roma, Intramuros

December 3, 2017 at 430 pm

Note: This is a crowdsourced guide to the Grand Marian Parade in Intramuros. The author has reached out to Intramuros Administration to get more details via Facebook Fan Page but did not received a reply. She is looking for the official list of the Marian statues and the name of parishes joining this year and some images. To dear PARISHES and INDIVIDUALS who have photos of the parade and information about these Marian images, please do get in touch by emailing mariaronab@gmail.com. She will create a comprehensive guide of the Grand Marian Procession to help spread this event. God bless to those who will say yes :)

friends I met in 2017 Grand Marian Procession

Here are some of the most noted 100 statues of the Virgin Mary joining the Intramuros Grand Marian Parade this 2017:

• Shrine of our Lady of Mount Carmel - Diocese of Urdaneta
• La Purisima Concepcion ng Malabon
• La Virgen Milagrosa de Badoc, Ilocos Norte 
• Virgen de Aranzazu ng San Mateo, Rizal
• Virgen de La Naval de Manila
• Virgen de Lourdes & Inang Desay OF Quezon City
• Virgen de Fatima of Valenzuela, 
• Soledad de Porta Vaga of Cavite
• Soledad de Manila  
• National Shrine of La Virgen Divina Pastora - Three Kings Parish, Gapan City Nueva Ecija
• Virgen de Salud
• Virgen delos Remedios de Pampanga
• Dolores de Turumba of Pakil, Laguna 
• Apo Ana de Hagonoy
• Mahal na Birhen ng Buen Suceso
• Nuestra Senora de Los Desamparados de Sta Ana manila
• Our Lady of the Abandoned
• Mahal na Ina ng Carmelo ng Sison 
• Ina ng Maricaban City "Mary Comforter of the Afflicted" 
• Nuestra Senora de Salvacion
• Nuestra Senora de las Seleras
• Mary Help of Christians
•  Image of Our Lady of Guibang
• Nuestra Señora de Corazon del Niño Hesus

It's going to be the first time for La Virgen Milagrosa de Badoc who came all the way from Ilocos Norte for this year's Intramuros Grand Marian Procession. There will be a triduum or three days of prayer to be held in the church of San Agustin (Museum San Agustin) Intramuros, Manila from Dec. 2, 2017 until last December 30, 2017.

As expected, there's heavy traffic. As per Intramuros Administration, A. Soriano Ave. (Aduana) and Magallanes Drive will be closed to vehicular traffic on Sunday, December 3, starting at 1:00 p.m. until the end of the Grand Marian Procession at about 9:00 p.m. Entry/exit points will remain open at Anda, Victoria and Gen. Luna Streets corner P. Burgos Drive.

Photos on Facebook inviting all devotees and the public to watch the biggest Marian procession in the country:

Mother of Divine Providence

Nuestra Senora del Pilar

Mahal na Birhen ng Buen Suceso

Birhen ng Soledad ng Porta Vaga

Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Why join this Grand Marian Procession?
Aside from this is an event for devout Catholics this is also the best way to see more than 100 images of the Blessed Mary. Some of these aren't open to the public whole year round, some are made of pure gold & ivory and they say these statues are miraculous. Who knows, your prayer that you've been uttering for so long will now be a dream come true? The official hashtags are #33TaonNgPaglingap #IGMP2017.

How to go to Intramuros?
Take an LRT ride (Php 15 - 20 )  to Central terminal station. Then take a pedicab to bring you inside Intramuros. It costs from Php 20 - 50.