Brought by the devotees from different villages in the island, images of Virgin Mary and other saints find themselves rested at the social hall of the San Antonio Parish Church for the Marian Exhibit.
“This will give the people knowledge about the different images and the different titles of Mary,” Parish priest Francisco M. Santos said.
The exhibit, in its second year, is observed to commemorate the month of October which is dedicated to the “Most Holy Rosary.”
Close to a hundred Catholic devotees voluntarily submitted their religious images for display during the Marian and the Saints Exhibit which starts from Oct. 18. “They did it voluntarily with love to lend their religious images for the exhibit.”
Mary is known by many titles, Santos said, as he enumerated the names -Blessed Mother, Virgin, Madonna, and Our Lady.
At the exhibit area, the different images of Mary also hold different titles such as Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of Guadalupe and so forth.
“People come here, not only to witness the exhibit but to pray. We play music to make it conducive and meaningful their visit.”
Santos said Catholic parishioners flocked the place every Monday to Friday from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and every Saturday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The exhibit will end on Nov, 7.
The attendance during the church’s regular mass is comparable to the number of visitors to the exhibit, according to Sis. Vi Laloan.
“I am hoping people will take time and opportunity to visit the exhibit to deepen their faith as they will learn and get knowledge about the devotion of Mary. This is one of a kind experience,” Santos said.
Compared to last year, Santos said, more Catholic devotees participated this year’s event.
Aside from the exhibit, the church also presented documentary film of Mary and other Saints every after the mass on Sunday.
Santos is hoping the parishioners to continue support the Marian exhibit and other church activity in the coming years.
