The Miraculous Santo Nino Image of Pagadian

Look deep into the eyes of the Cathedral's Living Image of the Infant Jesus of Prague

As this picture was taken the Image looks at the photographer,the other picture shows the image is looking at the freash flowers offered to him.

click the picture to see the eyes in full view.
This image is only viewed in public every Feast of the Infant Jesus, and hidden again after the feast.

So come to Pagadian and be blessed!. Pagadian before is pronounced as Pangadyi- an which is in english to pray.

The Origin of the Children of Mary

The history of the Association of the Children of Mary Immaculate is bound with the apparition of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary to St. Catherine Laboure in 1830, in the chapel of the Mother-house of the Daughters of Charity, 140 Rue du bac, Paris.
The Association arose from the desire of the Queen of Heaven expressly made known to the young seer, who manifested it to her director, Fr. John mary Aladel, Vincentian Priest of the mission, in this terms:
"FATHER THE BLESSED VIRGIN WISHES YOU TO BEGIN A CONFRATERNITY OF THE CHILDREN OF MARY; YOU ARE TO BE ITS FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR." St. Catherine L.

The distinctive mark, then, of this Association is its foundation by the Blessed Virgin herself.
This is the mission God asked to Saint Catherine through His Mother.

The Apparition of Our Lady to Saint Catherine Laboure:

The Medal of the Immaculate Conception — popularly known as the Miraculous Medal — was designed by the Blessed Virgin herself! No wonder, then that it wins such extraordinary graces for those who wear it and pray for Mary's intercession and help. The First Apparition The story begins on the night of July 18-19, 1830. A child (perhaps her guardian angel) awakened Sister (now Saint) Catherine Labouré, a novice in the community of the Daughters of Charity in Paris, and summoned her to the chapel. There she met with the Virgin Mary and spoke with her for several hours. During the conversation Mary said to her, “My child, I am going to give you a mission.” The Second Apparition Mary gave her this mission in a vision during evening meditation on November 27, 1830. She saw Mary standing on what seemed to be half a globe and holding a golden globe in her hands as if offering it to heaven. On the globe was the word “France,” and our Lady explained that the globe represented the whole world, but especially France. The times were difficult in France then, especially for the poor who were unemployed and often refugees from the many wars of the time. France was first to experience many of those troubles which ultimately reached many other parts of the world and are even present today. Streaming from rings on Mary's fingers as she held the globe were many rays of light. Mary explained that the rays symbolize the graces she obtains for those who ask for them. However, some of the gems on the rings were dark, and Mary explained that the rays and graces were available but did not come because no one had asked for them. The Third Apparition and the Miraculous Medal The vision then changed to show our Lady standing on a globe with her arms now outstretched and with the dazzling rays of light still streaming from her fingers. Framing the figure was an inscription: O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.

The Meaning of the Front Side of the Miraculous Medal Mary is standing upon a globe, crushing the head of a serpent beneath her foot. She stands upon the globe, as the Queen of Heaven and Earth. Her feet crush the serpent to proclaim Satan and all his followers are helpless before her (Gn 3:15). The year of 1830 on the Miraculous Medal is the year the Blessed Mother gave the design of the Miraculous Medal to Saint Catherine Labouré. The reference to Mary conceived without sin supports the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary—not to be confused with the virgin birth of Jesus, and referring to Mary's sinlessness, “full of grace” and “blessed among women” (Luke 1:28)—that was proclaimed 24 years later in 1854.

The vision turned and showed the design of the reverse side of the medal. Twelve stars encircled a large "M" from which arose a cross. Below are two hearts with flames arising from them. One heart is encircled in thorns and the other is pierced by a sword.

The Meaning of the Back Side of the Miraculous Medal The twelve stars can refer to the Apostles, who represent the entire Church as it surrounds Mary. They also recall the vision of Saint John, writer of the Book of Revelation (12:1), in which “a great sign appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of 12 stars.” The cross can symbolize Christ and our redemption, with the bar under the cross a sign of the earth. The “M” stands for Mary, and the interleaving of her initial and the cross shows Mary’s close involvement with Jesus and our world. In this we see Mary’s part in our salvation and her role as mother of the Church. The two hearts represent the love of Jesus and Mary for us. (See also Lk 2:35).

Then Mary spoke to Catherine: “Have a medal struck upon this model. Those who wear it will receive great graces, especially if they wear it around the neck.” Catherine explained the entire series of apparitions to her confessor, and she worked through him to carry out Mary’s instructions. She did not reveal that she received the Medal until soon before her death 47 years later. With approval of the Church, the first Medals were made in 1832 and were distributed in Paris. Almost immediately the blessings that Mary had promised began to shower down on those who wore her Medal. The devotion spread like wildfire. Marvels of grace and health, peace and prosperity, following in its wake. Before long people were calling it the “Miraculous” Medal. And in 1836, a Canonical inquiry undertaken at Paris declared the apparitions to be genuine. There is no superstition, nothing of magic, connected with the Miraculous Medal. The Miraculous Medal is not a “good-luck charm”. Rather, it is a great testimony to faith and the power of trusting prayer. Its greatest miracles are those of patience, forgiveness, repentance, and faith. God uses a Medal, not as a sacrament, but as an agent, an instrument, in bringing to pass certain marvelous results. “The weak things of this earth hath God chosen to confound the strong.” When our Blessed Mother gave the design of the medal to Saint Catherine Labouré she said, “Now it must be given to the whole world and to every person.”

Vincentian Family launches Jubilee Year

MANILA, August 28, 2009— The Vincentian Family composed of 14 groups spread all over the country will observe a Jubilee Year from Sept. 27, 2009 to Sept. 27, 2010 in honor of the 350th death anniversary of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac.

With the theme “Charity and Mission,” the year-long celebration will be highlighted by a series of events and activities in order to give homage to St. Vincent and St. Louise as witnesses to and examples of love and service of the poor.

”Since the Vincentian Family is present in many of the dioceses in the Philippines, the program of the Jubilee Year will reinforce the thrust of the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines to build the Church of the Poor,” said Sr. Mary Ann Guevara, DC, head of the Vincentian Family executive committee.

St. Vincent de Paul is the Patron Saint of the Universal Church for all works of charity, while St. Louise de Marillac is the Patron Saint of all social workers and those involved in social works.

Apart from the liturgical celebrations that would be observed in various parts of the country, the Vincentian Family has also organized various activities aimed at deepening the Vincentian charism. Foremost among these are a Vincentian Youth Congress, a Jubilee Formation Series, mobile photo exhibits, commemorative song album, and the recitation of a special jubilee prayer in observance of the Jubilee Year.

Sr. Guevara said that all members of the Vincentian Family including those who studied in schools run by the Vincentian Fathers and Daughters of Charity are encouraged to join various contests planned for the Jubilee Year celebration. These contests include a national search for best practices of Vincentian Charity, a jubilee year theme-song writing, video essay and oratorical contests.

A special stage presentation, entitled “San Vicente: A Zarzuela,” is being arranged by the Adamson University and the Vincentian Center for Identity and Mission in coordination with the Vincentian Family Coordinating Council.

The Vincentian Family is made up of religious congregations and organizations that were either founded by St. Vincent de Paul and/or that follow the Vincentian spirituality and charism of service to the poor.

It also has a rich and long tradition of Charity and Mission that dates back to 1617 for the Ladies of Charity, 1625 for Congregation of the Mission and 1633 for the Daughters of Charity.

At present there are more than 250 congregations and associations who live out the Vincentian Charism in more than 90 countries spread in all the continents.

The Vincentian Family is made up of religious congregations and associations, that were either founded by St. Vincent de Paul and/or that follow the Vincentian Spirituality and Charism of service to the poor. In the Philippines the following groups make up the Vincentian Family: The Ladies of Charity – AIC (International Association of Charities) Philippines; The Congregation of the Mission – C.M. (Vincentian Fathers and Brothers); The Daughters of Charity – D.C.; The Association of the Children of Mary Immaculate – Vincentian Marian Youth (CoM-VMY); The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP); The Young Ladies Association of Charity (YLAC); The Sister Handmaids of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul (SMdC); The Association of St. Louise de Marillac (LUISAS); Brothers of Charity (FC); The Association of the Miraculous Medal (AMM); Sisters of Charity of Our Lady Mother of Mercy (SCMM); The Alumni Associations of the schools administered by the Daughters of Charity and the Congregation of the Mission and the Vincentian Family Multi-purpose Cooperative. (CBCPNews)