The history of Christianity in San Mateo, Rizal dates back to the early Spanish era of 1596, when the Augustinians friars built the first settlements in the place. On 29 August 1596, the first parish was built under and in honor of the patron Saint Matthew. On 6 December 1696, the Jesuits came and gained control of the town. The history of the Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu in San Mateo, Rizal dates back to the early Spanish era of 1705. A Jesuit priest, Padre Juan de Echazabal, started the devotion to Our Lady of Aranzazu from Spain and changed the patron of the town from St. Matthew to Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu. In 1716, a new church was constructed on the site of the current church and placed the church of San Mateo under the patronage of the Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu. The first image of the Virgin of Aranzazu was brought to the Philippines by a Spanish captain from the Basque region. In 1732, the Dominican Order of Letran in Intramuros made effort in spreading the devotion to the Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu among Filipinos during the Spanish era. The church was proclaimed as Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu on 16 July 2004.
Description
Mary, holding the Christ Child, is vested in imperial regalia, and holds an apple symbolising her role as the "New Eve". The image depicts the 1469 apparition, with the Virgin standing on a thorn bush with a small quadrilateral bell hanging from it. It includes the statue of Rodrigo de Balzategui in a kneeling position. The image is known for its controversial artistic posture. While the original image in the Sanctuary of Arantzazu in Oñate, Spain, is a seated Madonna, the image in San Mateo is depicted standing up. A similar reconstructed once more in 1990, when its controversy was officially settled by the Diocese of Antipolo in 2012 by the decision of the Bishop-Emeritus Gabriel Reyes. The image retained its standing posture, as per local custom and wishes of its devotees.
Veneration
The image was granted an Episcopal Coronation on 9 November 2013 by the Bishop of Antipolo, Gabriel V. Reyes, while the coronation ceremony was officiated by Reverend Francisco M. De Leon, D.D.
The feast day of the Virgin is celebrated every September 9 with much solemnity and joy for the people will carry her image in procession while waving their white hanker chiefs singing her joyful hymn. Her feast day was once celebrated every Sunday or Sunday near Pentecost until it was discovered by then Parish Priest Reverend Father Marcelino Prudente that in Onate, Spain, they celebrate her feast day on September 9 and through his efforts, Bishop Protacio Gungon, then the Bishop of the Diocese of Antipolo, declared that the feast of the Virgin will be celebrated on September 9 in 1989. Today, every ninth and Second Saturday of the month is dedicated for the devotion to the Virgin of Aranzazu that is still practiced in the shrine up to the present. The devotion to Nuestra Senora de Aranzazu continues to inspire the people of San Mateo to strive for their faith. Miracles continued to be reported through her intercession up to the present and pilgrims from all over the country flocked to her shrine to seek her intercession.
Miracles
Thousand of devotees offer testimonials of miracles through the intercession of the Virgin of Aranzazu. One of the most popular is when during one typhoon season in the country, San Mateo was in danger of flooding that it was decided to bring out the image of the Virgin from her shrine and to be brought in every area in San Mateo. It is said that once the Virgin faced each household or area, the floods suddenly subsided. Another case was during the Typhoon Yolanda that would also threaten Rizal area and it was at that time the Episcopal Coronation of Nuestra Senora de Aranzazu will take place. Heavy rain downpour was looming in the area yet when the Virgin arrived for her Episcopal Coronation, the rain suddenly stopped and the coronation ceremony took place. Other miracles from her devotees were recorded by the shrine and can be seen in the prayer chapel of the Virgin from cures from different diseases like cancer, passing of qualifying examinations for different professions, financial aids, reconciliation of families, conversion of non believers among others that the people of San Mateo gave their loving devotion and affection to their beloved patroness over the centuries.
