Redemptorist Philippines Cebu Province To Mark 80 Years of Devotional Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help

 “Make her known throughout the world.”

This was the exhortation issued by Pope Pius IX in 1866 when he entrusted the icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.

Faithful to the papal inspiration, confreres of St. Alphonsus Liguori in Redemptorist Philippines Cebu Province are preparing a year-long celebration to mark 80 years of the perpetual novena in the Philippines.

The devotion to Our Mother of Perpetual Help is one of the most popular Marian devotions in the Philippines. Thousands of pilgrims visit the national shrine in Baclaran, Paranaque City, every Wednesday of the week.

Wednesday novena Masses in the Perpetual Help parish in Cebu City are also jam-packed with devotees in attendance. Other parishes run by Redemptorists in Tacloban, Bacolod, Iloilo, Dumaguete, and Davao always draw in hundreds of devotees every Wednesday of the week to hear mass and participate in the recitation of the perpetual novena. 

The Irish and Australian Redemptorist missionary congregation arrived in Opon (old name of Lapulapu City), Cebu, in 1906. When they started running parishes in the 1930s, the public recitation of the perpetual novena was not integrated into the devotion.

In 1946, American soldiers from Boston, Massachusetts, happened to visit the Redemptorist-run St. Clement’s Church in Iloilo City. As devotees of the OMPH back in Boston, they were surprised that the perpetual novena was not part of the devotional mass. At their request, the congregation included the perpetual novena in the devotion. Web sources say the first perpetual novena mass was celebrated at the church on May 13, 1946.

The first perpetual novena mass in Iloilo was significant because “it provided a structured and regular Marian devotion for Filipino Catholics. People were encouraged to come weekly to seek Mary’s intercession for their needs and to give thanks for blessings received. This devotion resonated deeply with Filipinos, known for their strong Marian piety and trust in the Blessed Virgin Mary’s intercessory power.” (Quoted text from the Redemptorist Philippines Province of Cebu website)

Two years after the perpetual novena’s debut in Iloilo City, it was introduced at the Redemptorist Church in Baclaran, recognized as the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help.

“The Baclaran Novena, held every Wednesday, quickly became immensely popular, attracting large crowds and giving rise to the term “Baclaran Day.” Over time, this devotion spread to Redemptorist churches and other parishes across the Philippines, becoming a beloved and widespread practice throughout the country.” 

In acknowledgement of the role of St. Clement’s Church in Iloilo in the history of the devotion, Iloilo City will be the center of the anniversary celebration to be launched on June 25, 2025.

Speaking with Radio Veritas Asia RVA, Fr. Julius Martin Malacas, C.Ss.R., who is St. Clement’s church rector, said they have lined up various activities in keeping with the papal exhortation, “Make her known throughout the world.”

Weekly processions every last Wednesday of the month around the St. Clement’s church, theological forums, social outreaches starting with parishes around the island of Panay, and cultural events are some of the programs lined up for the year-long celebration.

Fr. Malacas said that since 80-year milestones are traditionally marked by oak trees, they have come up with a campaign called OAK for One Act of Kindness a Day, dedicated to Our Mother of Perpetual Help.

He also issued an invitation to Marian devotees from other provinces to visit Iloilo City and participate in the perpetual novena masses in St. Clement’s parish church and experience the cultural treats during the year-long celebration.

Asked why the devotion to the OMPH is very popular among Catholics in the Philippines and other parts of Asia, Fr. Malacas said that Filipinos are attracted to the character of Mary because she intercedes for her children in their needs. 

“Financial problems, illness, family and relationship problems, and personal needs. People bring all their problems to Our Mother of Perpetual Help and ask her to intercede for them before her Son, Jesus Christ.”

Fr. Malacas emphasized that the Marian devotion is also a call to action. “Devotion to Mary is not just about prayers and going to church. A devotee is also called to imitate the virtues of Mary in everyday life. One need not be a priest or a religious. One can be a missionary in whatever one’s station in life is. Devotion with a mission, or “Debomisyon,” he added.

The year-long celebration will culminate on the last Sunday of June 2026, in time for the universal feast of Our Mother of Perpetual Help.