Grand Marian Procession.
Since 1980, the
Intramuros Administration and the Confradia de la Inmaculada Conception have
mounted the Grand Marian Procession in Intramuros every first Sunday of
December.
This revives a
tradition which originated in the historic Walled City centuries ago, after Pope Paul V declared that the doctrine of the
Immaculate Conception was no longer open to question or public rebuttal.
It was in the year
1619 when the first celebration of the feast of the Immaculate Conception took
place. Bullfights, masquerades, carnivals, parades, concerts, fireworks and
pealing of the bells gave the event a festive air.
In 1760, Pope Clement
XIII authorized the celebration of the feast in the Philippines, having proclaimed Our Lady of the Immaculate
Conception the principal patroness of Spain and the Indies.
President Ramon
Magsaysay led the first Marian Procession on December 8, 1954 which assembled some 60 venerated and
privately owned images of the Blessed Virgin from all over the Philippines. This
event established the standard for modern feast day celebrations.
The Grand Marian
Procession is a unique occasion to see some extraordinary statues of the
Blessed Virgin. The Procession is festive with brass bands, dance groups and
many devotees from all walks of life. It is a very colourful and joyful event.
(Source: Confradia de la Inmaculada Conception)