Our Lady of Pillar

My sister Helen went to Europe several times. Upon coming home from her travels, I listened to her many stories. The foremost story that enthralled me was her going to Zaragoza, Spain where she got to see the image of Our Lady of Pillar and the miraculous pillar itself.

“I just learned that Pilar in English, means pillar, as in the column.” She said enthusiastically. And her interesting story was about the miraculous appearance of our Nuestra Senora del Pilar to St. James who went to Spain to spread the good news. Accordingly, St. James was not very successful in preaching the faith because he was not very eloquent, so he asked for the help of the Blessed Mother. The Blessed Mother who was at that time still alive appeared to him standing on a divine pillar near a river. Divine because the pillar was not made from human hands, but rather, it came down from heaven. The Blessed Mother promised to help St. James and to give him plentiful of converts. As it turned out St. James was able to evangelize Spain, and in return Spain was instrumental in converting many nations. Henceforth, St. James is the apostle with the most Catholic coverts all over the world, including the Philippines.

After my sister Helen’s story, I also heard from one of the sermons of Bishop Collin Bagaforo, that Our Lady of Pillar was the first apparition manifested by our Virgin Mother, and it happened while she was still alive living in Greece or Turkey. It just shows us how sympathetic the Lady is to the call of those who need her help.

I was also curious because Our Lady of Pilar is most venerated in Fort del Pilar, Zamboanga, Philippines. When I was a little girl, I heard a story about a big flood in Zamboanga City. The Infant Jesus accordingly was missing from the statue by the wall. The Boy was found playing with flood waters by his Mother. The Mother came down and took the Boy back and the water receded. Of course this was only a story, and many people must have long forgotten about this tale. But indeed there was once a big flood in Zamboanga City, as well as here in Cotabato City too. Sometimes my memory surprises me.

And wonder of wonders, few years back, my sons Roy, Tomas and Emil were able to go on a walking pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella to the burial site of St. James. It was an adventure, an expedition as well as a religious pilgrimage for them. But their going there, drew my heart even closer to St. James and our blessed mother. In my prayers, I ask St. James to intercede for them.

Last night, I participated my tenth healing rosary on air. The bishop of Imus Cathedral was leading the prayers with the venerated image of Nuestra Senora del Pilar. The commentator briefly narrated the story of St. James and Our Lady of Pillar. Even though I knew of the story already, I was still very much enthralled to hear it again. Our Lady of Pillar in Imus had come to the aid of the Cavite people many times; whether it be man made or natural calamity. One of the disasters happened to be the cholera epidemic in Imus. Henceforth we as one people, and one nation are appealing to her again, to aid us during this crisis. O Blessed Mother, help us and pray for us.