Sunday, December 11, 2011

Naga: The Porta Mariae

The Porta Mariae
"The rite of opening doors marks a time of elation and thanksgiving. In the history of the Church, sacred doors are opened during jubilee years to signify the bestowal of indulgence and grace. In secular history, gates and doors are monument of victory and triumph."...
...May those who behold and pass through this gate be led to the one and only Saviour, JESUS CHRIST.

In the same spirit and significance, this Porta Mariae was erected. It is a monument which stands as a symbol of the deep gratitude of the Bicolanos to the Blessed Mother for three centuries of constant intercession, protection and unconditionl love under the title Nuestra Senora de Penafrancia. It is a testimony to INA's abiding presence in Bicol as she is the door and the gate to her son, JESUS CHRIST.

Funded by the Penafrancia Devotees of Metro Manila Foundation, Inc., designed by Architect Gian Paolo P. Prieta and completed under the direction of Engineer Noriel L. Villar, this monument was blesses and inaugurated by the Most Reverend Archibishop of Caceres on the 9th of September, in the year of our Lord 2010, in celebration of the 300th year of the devotion to INA (1710-2010), Nuestra senora de Penafrancia, on the 26th year of incumbency of His Excellency, Most Rev. Leonardo Z. Legaspi OP,DD, when the Rev. Msgr. Zosimo Ma, Sanado HP, was Parish Priest of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Naga City, Philippines.

And now, a revisit to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Naga:

The Dome in front of the Church



The Dome at the back of the Porta Mariae



The Dome's Colorful Glass Ceiling



The Facade of Metropolitan Church



The Angel Inside



The Ten Commandments Monument


Note:Texts above lifted from the commemorative marker attached to the arch.

8 comments:

  1. I remember clibing the Porta Mariae... nice view there... :)

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  2. I love the arch.. very pretty.

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  3. i like the idea of that archway. it reminded me of the archways/gates i have seen in madrid.

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  4. first time to see it. nung una mo to pinakita kala ko sinira nila yung circular shed.

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  5. This place reminds me of Arch de Triumph. Siguro dito nila ginaya ang design.

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