La Naval Solemn Procession 2012: the Procession of all Processions

In 1646, Dutch naval forces made a bid to seize the Philippines from Spain. At that time, there were only two merchant galleons plying the Philippine-Mexico route. These two ships, the Encarnacion and the Rosario under the command of General Lorenzo de Orella y Ugalde and Admiral Sebastian Lopez respectively, were fitted as battleships against the Dutch armada, which consisted of 18 galleons and a number of galleys and small vessels. Though the two captains were veteran military men, their outlook for the upcoming battle was grim and winning seemed almost impossible. In desperation, they turned to the Virgin of the Rosary for divine intervention and protection, vowing to walk barefoot with their troops to the Sto. Domingo Church which was then located in Intramuros, Manila.



There were five battles that took place between the Dutch forces and the Spanish-Filipino troops. In every battle, the latter's naval troops would pray the rosary and seek the holy intervention of the Lady of the Rosary. The five battles were won by the Spanish-Filipino armada, who regarded the victories as answered prayers of the Virgin of La Naval. The first of these battles happened in Lingayen, Pangasinan; the second took place in Embocadero Strait; the third and fourth near the island province of Mindoro and the last battle transpired in Mariveles, Bataan.

The victory at the Battle of La Naval proves the miraculous intercession of Our Lady of the Rosary. And from then on the veneration and pilgrimage to the holy image grew throughout the archipelago...taken from Our Lady of the Rosary of La Naval

...and year after year, in gratitude and thanksgiving a solemn procession is held in her honor...

San Jose

O blessed Joseph, faithful guardian of my Redeemer, Jesus Christ, protector
of thy chaste spouse, the virgin Mother of God, I choose thee this day to
be my special patron and advocate and I firmly resolve to honor thee all
the days of my life. Therefore I humbly beseech thee to receive me as thy
client, to instruct me in every doubt, to comfort me in every affliction,
to obtain for me and for all the knowledge and love of the Heart of Jesus,
and finally to defend and protect me at the hour of my death. Amen

San Jose

Our Lady of La Naval

The Second Sunday of October is dedicated to the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, La Naval de Manila. Popularly known as “La Naval”, the image was canonically crowned on October 1907 upon the orders of Pope Pius X, a first in the country and in Asia. La Naval was acknowledged as the patroness of Quezon City, and of the Philippines during her feast on October 1973. (National Shrine of Our Lady of La Naval)


Our Lady of La Naval wearing her new vestments decorated with roses and cherubs all over. She is radiant as ever.


A prayer of hope and of love.

Mass before the procession





Awaiting start of the Procession

Immaculate Mother

We come at thy call

And low at thy altar

Before thee we fall

Ave, Ave, Ave Maria

In grief and temptation

In joy and in pain

We'll seek thee, our Mother

Nor seek thee in vain

Ave, Ave, Ave Maria

The image of the Virgin of La Naval was given to the Dominicans and consecrated in the old Sto. Domingo Church, in Intramuros, Manila. The image is about 4'8" tall and is made of hard-wood, with ivory face and hands. Through the years, the color has turned from ivory to a delicate brown. The Virgin's face is indigenously Filipina, in almond-shape with high-set cheekbones and slanting eyes. The image is dressed in a royal robe like that in the palace of King Philip of Spain. On her left arm is the Holy Child Jesus, while on her right arm is a royal scepter, staff and the Holy Rosary. The image dress is covered with jewels. Her halo ss surrounded by 24 stars, and she wears a queenly crown...taken from Our Lady of the Rosary of La Naval


Our Lady and the mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary


Our Lady exiting Sto. Domingo

Our Lady in a Sea of Candles, the Procession of all Processions; the Model Procession