Biggest altar mural to open in Caloocan

The Diocese of Novaliches will unveil the biggest altar mural in the country as a tribute to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) frontliners, according to a report by Philippine News Agency.

In a Facebook post on Monday, the diocese said Bishop Roberto Gaa will bless the altar mural at the Parish of Our Lady of Fatima in Kumintang corner Magat Salamat St. in Urduja Village, Caloocan City at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

It said the mural, which depicts the “Miracle of the Sun” also known as the “Miracle of Fatima”, features the painting of Guerrero Saño, a renowned and multi-awarded Filipino artist who has painted more than 700 murals in 16 countries depicting peace and environment.

For the altar mural, Saño collaborated with the Art Attack Group, a group of young artists, which he founded himself.

The mural was commissioned by Fr. Aristeo M. de Leon, the parish priest with the help of CMA Meat Corporation and Aaron V Transport.

The “Miracle of the Sun” or the “Miracle of Fatima” occurred during the 6th Apparition of Our Lady on October 13, 1917, and was witnessed by over 70,000 people at the Cova da Iria, in Fatima, Portugal, where the Virgin Mary appeared to the three shepherd children named Lúcia dos Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto from May 13 to October 13, 1917.

Both Saints Francisco and Jacinta died in 1919 and 1920, respectively, due to the Spanish flu epidemic that struck Europe.

“The altar mural is our way of honoring and remembering the sacrifices of our front-liners and, at the same time, including them in our prayers and mass intentions,” de Leon said.

“We will pray for the intercession of St. Francisco and St. Jacinta Marto, two of the three visionaries in Fatima and who themselves died of the Spanish Influenza. We will ask Saints Francisco and Jacinta’s intercession for healing and strength for those who are afflicted with Covid-19 and their families,” he added.

Aside from the Oratio Imperata, the Catholic priest said they will start praying the Prayer to St. Jacinta and St. Francisco, after the blessing of the altar mural.

The prayer is as follows:

"Panalangin sa Pamamagitan nina Santa Jacinta at Santo Francisco Marto sa Panahon ng Pandemya

Santa Jacinta at Santo Francisco Marto, mga munting pastol ng Fatima, pinili kayo ng langit upang makita ang Mahal na Birheng Maria at ihatid ang kanyang mensahe ng pagbabalik-loob ng mga makasalanan.

Kayong naghirap ng lubos at namatay mula sa sakit na Influenza, ang pandemya ng inyong panahon, ipanalangin ninyo kaming nagdurusa sa pandemyang aming kinakaharap sa panahong ito, upang kaawaan kami ng Diyos.

Ipanalangin ninyo ang mga bata sa buong mundo.

Ipanalangin ninyo, na kami ay ingatan at bigyang lunas ang bunga na dulot ng pandemya sa aming pangagatawan, isipan at kaluluwa.

Ipanalangin ninyo ang lahat ng mga nasa unang hanay na tumutulong na pigilan at puksain ang Pandemyang aming kinakaharap.

Ipanalangin ninyo ang buong mundo, ang lahat ng bansa, ang Simbahan at ang mga pinakaaba sa lipunan na naghihirap at nangangailangan ng kagalingan.

Mga munting pastol ng Fatima, tulungan ninyo kami na lumapit sa kanlungan ng Kalinislinisang Puso ni Maria, upang matanggap namin ang biyaya na aming kinakailangan sa oras na ito, at matagpuan namin ang kagandahan ng buhay na parating.

Tulad ninyo, nagtitiwala kami sa mga salita ng Mahal na Birheng Maria na nagturo sa inyo na “magdasal ng Rosaryo araw-araw sa karangalan ng Mahal na Birhen ng Sto. Rosaryo, sapagkat tanging siya ang makakatulong sa inyo na mapalapit kay Hesus na ating Panginoon at tagapagligtas.” Amen.

Mahal na Ina ng Fatima, Birhen ng Sto. Rosaryo… Ipanalangin mo kami!

San Jose, Esposo ni Maria… Ipanalangin mo kam!!

Santa Jacinta at Santo Francisco Marto, mga munting pastol ng Fatima… Ipanalangin ninyo kami!

San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila at San Padre Calungsod Ipanalangin ninyo kami!"