Marian exhibit at the Museo di Don Bosco, Mandaluyong

By Mr. Adrian B. Tambuyat

Mandaluyong City, the Philippines, 2 November 2019 -- She is a model, but above all, a Mother. She is a mother who teaches, who listens and guide; a mother who assists her children in times of necessity, a Mother of compassion and of mercy. The Mother of Jesus who leads us to God, siya’y si Maria, Ina ng Kabataan (she is Mary, the Mother of young people.) This was the chosen theme for the month of the Holy Rosary in the Educative-Pastoral Community (EPC) of Don Bosco Technical College, Mandaluyong City (DBTC). It perfectly defines our Blessed Mother’s love for the young people as the Catholic Church in the Philippines celebrates this year 2019 as the Year of the Youth. One of the highlights of this Marian moth is the Marian Exhibit at the Museo di Don Bosco.

The DBTC through its Pastoral Affairs Office organized this year’s Marian Exhibit last October 14-18, 2019. Vice President for Pastoral Affairs, Fr. Glenn Joseph Protacio, SDB welcomed the attendees which was followed by the recitation of the Holy Rosary and the blessing of images by DBTC Rector, Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB. The inauguration was witnessed by administrators, faculty, student-representatives and some exhibitors called Camarero, a Spanish term used to denote to a custodian of a religious image.

Walking Through The Halls Of History

One interesting thing to note is the intended venue of this Marian exhibit. The history behind the Museo di Don Bosco and the movements you’ll make as you enter the museum are things that add significance to the event. It was a recollection of history, an in-house pilgrimage to cherish our Marian devotion and a call to remember the young people in need. Asilo de Mandalayo, as the old structure is then known, was an Augustinian monastery that witnessed the Philippine Revolution. It was in this place where the plans of the Katipuneros (guerillas) were divulged. This old building also became the San Carlos Seminary of the Archdiocese of Manila until the new seminary was transferred to its present location some more than sixty years ago.

As you enter the exhibit, a statue of Santo Nino de Cebu, known for its rich heritage among the Filipinos, welcomes the guests. From there, people can walk and pay attention to the different images of Mama Mary under various Marian titles.

Before stepping out of the museum proper, a prayer room was set up where the images of Mary, the Help of Christians and the Salesian Saints are placed. Anyone can write and drop their prayer intentions at a designated drop box, Devotees were also invited to write some virtues of Mama Mary that they wanted to imitate. Down the stairs were panel boards exhibiting images of young people who are in difficult situations. These images were inviting the guests to pray for young people as they pass through the Mary, Help of Christians Chapel where the Lord, present in the tabernacle, is waiting for them.

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