Letran Community Gathers at Santo Domingo Church for La Naval 2024 Grand Procession

 To conclude the three-day Novena for the Blessed Virgin Mary, the entire Letran community took part in this year’s La Naval grand procession to commemorate the Blessed Mother at Sto. Domingo Church, Quezon City, October 13, 2024.

Dominican communities from Colegio de San Juan de Letran (CSJL), University of Santo Tomas, UST Angelicum, Siena College Quezon City together with thousand devotees united with one another in a sea of blue and gold as participants in the procession. 

This stands as a reminder that we will never forget what Mary did all those years ago during the Battle of La Naval, stabilizing that truly anything is possible with faith and God.

According to Mr. Michael Maglaque, a Christian Living Education teacher in Letran Senior High School, mentioned that in all instances wherein we follow through Mary’s intercession to obey Jesus a bountiful of blessings will be handed to us.

“Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, La Naval de Manila would like to remind us Faithful Devotees to follow her Son - our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in being obedient to the will of God the Father,” Mr. Maglaque said. 

He also cited the miracle at Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine to help the newlyweds who no longer had wine to offer their guests. 

“Miracles and abundance of blessings could happen to our lives if we follow the instructions of Mary and obey Jesus.” Mr. Maglaque further explained.

The Letran community composed of the Colegio’s students, staff, and alumni took their spot at the front and behind the sixth carroza, which belongs to the Colegio’s foremost alumnus, St. Vicente Liem de la Paz. 

Running a total of two hours into the procession from 4 P.M. to 6 P.M., devotees continue on the long and exhausting journey from UST Angelicum, along Dapitan Street and Quezon Avenue, back to the church while praying the Rosary from Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious mysteries.

In a separate interview, Jeremy Matthew Esmeria, a grade 12 STEM student emphasized that the La Naval as a whole is important in order to highlight our identity as christians. 

“Yung importance sa akin ng La Naval, is to build  yung pagiging Christian natin. It establishes community, as seen in different schools, whenever we celebrate La Naval,” he stated.

Whether nearly four hundred or five hundred years, the Colegio and its constituents will never cease to revive the memory and tradition of dating back to our roots as seen whenever we are celebrating this sacred La Naval novena for the Blessed Virgin no matter how many centuries have passed.