the Lady and her Mantos

i found a beautifully-written article about our Lady a  few weeks ago and i would like to repost a part of it.

http://mag.ttoasia.net/the-canonical-coronation-of-pasig-citys-patroness-the-immaculate-concepcion/

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The Canonical Coronation of Pasig City’s Patroness, the Immaculate Concepcion

Historical Perspectives

Why the Canonical Coronation?

The Lady’s Manto or Mantle

A manto or mantle  is  a piece of  clothing usually of fine linen, similar to a robe but sleeveless and usually open at the  front, worn as an outer covering.  In religious  terms, the linen symbolizes Mary’s mantle; the blue symbolizes compassion, fidelity and the waters of baptism; the white of  purity  and  the  magniifcent  halo-like  embroidered gold crown of Pasig flowers is symbolic of celestial royalty that befits a queen of heaven.

La Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Concepcion de Pasig may not be de vestir  (clothed) but  the manto symbolizes our respect and veneration beftting an image that is canonically crowned. It is also dressed with a cloak to conserve the stability of the wooden image and to protect it from contact with the metal crown.

The mantle consists of four layers:

First, the bottom part  is  the beso manto which is made of  very fine white  lace. By its Spanish name, its purpose is to be kissed. Extended to the back of the camarin, this shall serve as the mantle to be kissed by the faithful. The  second  is a thicker manto of blue Vietnamese silk satin purposely prepared to give body to the overall manto of the virgin.

The most expensive mantle is the third manto which is made of finely handcrafted gilded floral threads accentuated by bouillon threads on piña cloth and silk organza which gives it its royal bearing.

The fourth and last layer is the Tocado or Toca Sobremanto which is a small piece of piña cloth found at the crown portion of the image. This is made to hold  the papal blessed  antique crown of the image.

The design is inspired by Pasig fora frequently  and more  traditionally used during the Spanish period which are: the sampaguita, ilang-ilang, camia, jasmine, rosal, and much-admired leaves of kamuning, and anahaw. The design  follows the pattern of agos – a continuous flow of embroidery without any planned pattern design. The color scheme  is carefully addressed and planned to be simple yet elaborate. Styled not to compete with the really beautiful image and closely patterned with the very feminine areola design.

The carrosa that was used for the canonical crowning and the triumphal procession of the venerated virgin, was prepared by a family from Pasig. It was exclusively made for use in the replica of the Nuestra Senora del Gran Dolor from Spain and  inspired by  the carrosa or paso of Spain’s Malaga  processions  during  Lenten  Season. The exclusive use of the carrosa extends to the venerated La  Inmaculada Concepcion de Pasig. Henceforth,  the  carrosa is now known  as El Gran Carrosa  de Pasig. The carrosa was finished in 2002 and  the palio (canopy) was incorporated in 2004.

Mantle:
Antonio S. Miguel, Curator,
Museo Diocesano de Pasig
Bobby S.J. Bonifacio, Member, Hermandad de la Semana Santa de Pasig

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based on the article above, our lady started wearing a manto during her canonical coronation almost two years ago. so far, i have seen three manto of our lady. first is the manto she wore during the historical canonical coronation.

final preparations before the canonical coronation

back view of the manto displayed at the Pasig Diocesan Museum

the second manto is a blue one worn during the first anniversary of her coronation

and the third manto is the one she is currently wearing and i think it is the "pambahay" of our lady since she wears it on ordinary days

back view of the manto captured during the "pahalik"

whatever manto our lady is wearing surely adds to the beauty and grandeur of this marian image. and with this comes a deeper faith and reverence that is rightfully given to the mother of Christ and mother of our Church.

talking about manto, it reminds me of the gospel according to St. Luke (Luke 8:43-44)

[43] And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. [44] She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.

it is such a great reminder that...

THROUGH OUR FAITH, WE ARE HEALED.

that in all things, God may be glorified!