Our Lady of the Pillar Festival

Our Lady of the Pillar Festival in Sibonga, Cebu Province

Our Lady of the Pillar Festival

The Our Lady of Del Pilar Festival in Sibonga, Cebu, is a significant religious and cultural event celebrated annually on October 12.

This festival is dedicated to the town's titular patroness, Our Lady of the Pillar, at the Nuestra Señora del Pilar Church, a historical and architectural landmark in the region.

The church itself has a rich history. Sibonga was originally a visita of Carcar starting in 1690 and later annexed to Argao until it became a parish in 1830.

The first church in Sibonga was made of light materials and was later replaced by the current structure of coral stones and bricks.

The construction of the present church began in 1868 under Fr. Juan Alonzo and continued until its completion in 1907.

The Our Lady of Del Pilar Festival in Sibonga, Cebu, is a significant religious and cultural event celebrated annually on October 12.

This festival is dedicated to the town's titular patroness, Our Lady of the Pillar, at the Nuestra Señora del Pilar Church, a historical and architectural landmark in the region.

The church itself has a rich history. Sibonga was originally a visita of Carcar starting in 1690 and later annexed to Argao until it became a parish in 1830.

The first church in Sibonga was made of light materials and was later replaced by the current structure of coral stones and bricks.

The construction of the present church began in 1868 under Fr. Juan Alonzo and continued until its completion in 1907.

This festival, deeply rooted in the town's history and spirituality, reflects the community's devotion and reverence for Our Lady of the Pillar.

Efforts have been made to renew interest in the Marian devotion, including the distribution of leaflets and the erection of a replica sculpture of Our Lady of the Pillar outside the parish convent.

9-day Celebration

The nine-day celebration leading to the feast day of Our Lady of Pillar in Sibonga, Cebu, is a period marked by religious devotion and community activities.

The celebration begins with a motorcade on October 2, featuring the icon of Our Lady of the Pillar.

This is followed by afternoon novena masses, starting from October 2 and continuing daily.

These masses combine in-person and online gatherings, accommodating the faithful and allowing widespread participation.

Eve of the Feast Day

On the eve of the feast day, there is a mobile procession with the statues of Our Lady of the Pillar and St. James the Great, commemorating the Virgin Mary's appearance to St. James.

The celebration culminates on October 12 with a Pontifical Mass, which is the highlight of the festival.

This Mass is led by a prominent church figure, such as the Cebu Auxiliary Bishop, who serves as the principal celebrant.

These activities, centered around the Nuestra Señora del Pilar Church, reflect the town's deep religious heritage and the community's devotion to Our Lady of the Pillar.

Despite being a more subdued celebration than the town's other major festivals in honor of Saint Philomena, it remains a significant event in Sibonga's religious calendar.

For more detailed historical context and descriptions of the church and the festival, you can refer to the sources from...

1. SunStar
2. The Old Churches
3. Cath's Confessions
4. and MyGuide.ph