09/09/2025
SEPTEMBER 9
FEAST DAY CELEBRATION
NUESTRA SEÑORA DE ARANZAZU
The history of the Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu in San Mateo, Rizal dates back to the early Spanish era of 1596, when the Augustinians friars built the first settlements in the place.
On 6 December 1696, the Jesuits came and gained control of the town. In 1705, a Jesuit priest, Father Juan de Echazabal, started the devotion to Our Lady of Aranzazu from Spain and changed the patron of the town from St. Matthew to Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu. The image is believed to have ensured the safe journey of the ship and its passengers despite being caught in the midst of a raging storm. In 1732, the Dominicans of Letran in Intramuros also made an effort in spreading the devotion to the Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu among Filipinos during the Spanish era with the foundation of the Arch confraternity of Nuestra Senora de Aranzazu.
The feast day of the Virgin is celebrated every September 9 with much solemnity and joy for the people will carry her image in procession while waving their white hanker chiefs singing her joyful hymn. Her feast day was once celebrated every Sunday or Sunday near Pentecost until it was discovered by then Parish Priest Reverend Father Marcelino Prudente that in Onate, Spain, they celebrate her feast day on September 9 and through his efforts, Bishop Protacio Gungon, then the Bishop of the Diocese of Antipolo, declared that the feast of the Virgin will be celebrated on September 9 in 1989. Today, every ninth of the month is dedicated for the devotion to the Virgin of Aranzazu that is still practiced in the shrine up to the present.
The devotion to Nuestra Senora de Aranzazu continues to inspire the people of San Mateo to strive for their faith. Miracles continued to be reported through her intercession up to the present and pilgrims from all over the country flocked to her shrine to seek her intercession.
Official Replica in Nueva Ecija