The first venerated Philippine image of Nuestra Señora del Camino was enthroned Dec. 5 at St. Ezekiel Moreno Novitiate–Recoletos in Antipolo City marking its 34th founding anniversary.
Fray Rommel Rubia, OAR, the community’s local prior, led the enthronement rites in the seminary chapel before Mass, formally presenting the Marian image as the patroness of the novitiate house.
Blessed by Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan, the newly carved figure holds distinction as the country’s first publicly venerated image of Nuestra Señora del Camino.
Carved from a single piece of wood by an artisan from Macabebe, Pampanga, the image replicates the original 12th-century figure enshrined in the Augustinian Recollect novitiate house in Monteagudo, Spain.
St. Ezekiel Moreno, the seminary’s patron, held deep devotion to Nuestra Señora del Camino, drawing strength and guidance from her maternal protection throughout his ministry and missionary life.
He died under her gaze, and his revered remains now lie in the same Monteagudo church where his beloved patroness, Nuestra Señora del Camino, is enshrined.
