July 31, 2009

Maria

Today is the feastday of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus. All Jesuit institutions in the Philippines (and maybe worldwide for all I know) are on holiday today. Today is also the anniversary of the dedication of the Ateneo Church of the Gesù. This image is just above the altar of the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, one of the two side chapels of the Gesù. Sculpted by Justino "Paloy" A. Cagayat Jr. of Paete, Laguna (a town known for its highly-skilled wood craftsmen), this is a very unusual Immaculate Conception because of her Filipina features and dress. Some people find it hard to get used to since most images of Mary here are very European, but I like it.

Immaculate Conception in Filipiniana dress at the side chapel of the Church of the Gesù

15 comments:

  1. DinaJuly 31, 2009 at 4:49 AM

    Happy feastday.
    I like your Mary too.

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  2. JamesJuly 31, 2009 at 6:07 AM

    I like it too and would have taken a picture of it if I saw it.

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  3. LoisJuly 31, 2009 at 6:25 AM

    I also like it! She has very delicate features.

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  4. MeriJuly 31, 2009 at 6:35 AM

    I love this Mary, too. She looks so approachable.

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  5. LowellJuly 31, 2009 at 9:16 AM

    This is all so intriguing. Are the people of Manila (or the Philippines) devoutly Roman Catholic or is it more of a cultural thing?

    You seem to have a plethora of images, statues, icons, feast days, etc., and I'm just curious of people really believe or if it's just kind of the thing to do...

    Very nice photo.

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  6. JudyJuly 31, 2009 at 12:35 PM

    Beautiful statue! Happy holiday.

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  7. Don and KriseJuly 31, 2009 at 1:28 PM

    I think it's beautiful. Just another's interpretation. Very nice Hilda.

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  8. VPJuly 31, 2009 at 2:46 PM

    Maria was a Mid-Eastern woman, so she probably had not very typical European features. I really like this Filipina version, Justino seems to be a great and inspired craftsman.

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  9. Cezar and LéiaJuly 31, 2009 at 5:27 PM

    Dear Hilda, thanks so much for this beautiful post!
    I love Maria with all interpretations.No matter, it's all about faith and I do love her!
    God bless you
    Léia

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  10. UnknownJuly 31, 2009 at 9:48 PM

    This is lovely and very original! I think I've already seen the moon on another catholic image in the Philippines, was it in your blog, Hilda?

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  11. UnknownJuly 31, 2009 at 10:08 PM

    Happy holiday! I like the look of the statue. it's beautiful. Let us pray...

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  12. HildaAugust 1, 2009 at 9:54 AM

    Jacob:
    Yes, most Filipinos are devout Catholics and Christians. Churches and other worship halls are always full on Sundays, for each and every service. Whether all this religiosity translates to actual good deeds is another matter altogether!

    JM:
    Yes, that was here too. I pointed out the moon in one of the images of the Immaculate Conception that I posted in the past.

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  13. escapeAugust 1, 2009 at 5:09 PM

    happy feast day to you and the ateneans.

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  14. GeorgeAugust 2, 2009 at 10:09 AM

    I also find this Mary to be very beautiful. I like it.

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  15. AnonymousAugust 9, 2009 at 11:57 PM

    Very beautiful dress, gorgeous hair, fairy framing - lovely piece of inspiration!

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