Backlaran sa Village
The Blessed Virgin Mary of Perpetual Help
The Origin
The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, participated intimately in the economy of salvation, especially in the mystery of Redemption realized by Christ. She cooperated with her Son in the salvation of the human race. As a result, she is, for all, Mother of Perpetual Help.
According to an old tradition, one of her images under this title was brought to Rome from the Island of Crete toward the end of the fifteenth century. It was placed in the church of St. Matthew on the via Merulana during the pontificate of Alexander VI and was venerated there for about three centuries. When this church was destroyed during the Napoleonic invasions, the icon disappeared. Providentially, it was found again in 1866. At that time Pius IX confided it to the Redemptorists who exposed it for public venerations in the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer dedicated to St. Alphonsus. From then on, the veneration of this miraculous image has continued to grow among the faithful, and is now widely known throughout the world.
The devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help is very popular to the Filipinos who are well known for its Marian spirituality. In the Philippines or abroad we brought with us our devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. We become more united in Christ through our devotion to Mary. Strength in unity is very important tool which everyone needs in order to be able to cope with the stresses and pressures in our way of life.
The Baclaran sa Village On October 26, 1988, the late Fr. Bobby B. Sison initiated the first Novena Mass in honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help at Our Lady of Pompei church with the launching of the Filipino Pastoral Ministry (FPM), the first Filipino apostolate in New York under the auspices of the Scalabrinian Fathers.
The Novena Mass became a regular Wednesday devotion and evolved into what is now known as “Baclaran sa Village” The name “Baclaran sa Village” was conceived after the famous shrine in Baclaran, Philippines where the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is located. The word “sa village” denotes Greenwich village where the Church of Our Lady of Pompei, home base of the FPM is located. Twenty years later, Baclaran sa Village has become the Wednesday tradition for dedicated devotees of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
20th Anniversary Celebration The 20th annual celebration of the Baclaran sa Village started with the Prayer to Our Lady of Perpetual Help led by Cory Reyes-Salhus followed by the procession inside the church while reciting the rosary in different languages.
Several priests concelebrated in the Mass namely Msgr. Kevin O’Brien, Fr. John Massari, c.s, Fr. Caloy Davantes and Fr. Ronald Bonneua, C.S.s.R. Msgr. Romy Montero and Bro. Michael LaMantia were the masters of ceremonies.
One of the highlights of the celebration was the crowning of the image of the Lady of Perpetual of Help by the hermano and hermana mayores – Lina Hilderhof and Beniamino & Angelie Pena. Msgr. Romy Montero officiated the crowning ceremony.
After the Mass, everybody was invited for the reception at the Fr. Demo Hall sponsored by the hermano and hermana mayores and the Friends of the 2000 Hail Mary’s Outreach. Everybody enjoyed the food and the line dancing and ball dancing for entertainment.
Special thanks to all those who participated and made the celebration successful - the sponsors, donors, volunteers, Nancy Hombrebueno, Gloria Sambat, Rey Lauron and the Our Lady of Pompei Filipino Choir.
Our gratitude to all the hermanos & hermanas pasadas who came to celebrate with us especially to Josie Esguerra, May Salvador, Philip & Lulu Wong, Janet Rivera, Glenda Sakdalan & Aida Pacheco, Cory Reyes-Salhus and Cora del Mar. And to those who were not able to come but with us in spirit, Maraming Salamat Po.
Hermandad of the Baclaran Sa Village
Hermana and Hermano Mayor *
1995 Josie Esguerra1996 Luz Dayao & Cely Romano
1997 Erwin Royandoyan-Wolfe
1998 May Salvador
1999 Linda Salmorin, Ching Gasataya, Delia Gozon
2000 Mike & Linda Balaga, Nellie Garcia, + Zeny Quiros, Annie Ochotorena
2001 Elvira Macaraeg, Joon Go, Arlene Lacerna, Jane Wagan, Neil de Leon
2002 Sandy Aguilar & Michael Ragg, Gerry Cruz & Jun Fontillas, Bing & Doming Garcia, Yelly Gill
2003 Philip & Lulu Wong
2004 Lina Ocampo & Janet Rivera
2005 Glenda Sakdalan & Aida Pacheco
2006 Cory Reyes-Salhus
2007 Corazon del Mar
2008 Lina Hilderhof and Beniamino & Angelie Pena
* Baclaran sa Village did not have Hermana Mayor from the beginning until 1995. Early on the Fiesta celebrations in honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help were hosted by the volunteers and staff , sponsors and donors of the Filipino Pastoral Ministry.