Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral, simply known as Jaro Cathedral, is a Cultural Heritage Church and the ecclesiastical seat of the Archdiocese of Jaro located in Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines.
It is also also known as the National Shrine of Our Lady of Candles, Our Lady of Candles Parish, Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, or St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish (its second titular).
Table of Contents
History
The Augustinians were the first friars who began evangelizing the natives in Oton that Oton Church became a parish in 1572.
The friars served other missions including St. Augustine Church in Dumangas (1570), San Juan de Sahagun Church in Tigbauan (1575), San Julian de Cuenca in Janiuay, San Nicolas de Tolentino in Guimbal and Most Holy Name of Jesus Church in Arevalo (1581).
They also preached in the settlement along the river of Salog, the name that Jaro was called in those times. Salog was later spelled Xaro in Spanish and then became Jaro. It was a visita of Oton Parish starting in March 3, 1575 then of Arevalo in 1584.
Jaro became a parish in April 1587 under the advocation of Our Lady of the Nativity. However, the Augustinians left it unattended for years. In 1598, they re-animated their mission and put up a priory in Jaro. Again it was abandoned due to lack of priests and so in 1613 it became a visita once again.
When Fr. Bernardo Alisen led the parish in 1636, he transferred the poblacion from Alanga to its present location for favorable weather and protection from ruinous Moro attacks. In October 31 of the same year, the patron was changed to Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, Our Lady of Candles.
After a century, plans for building a stone church were put in place by Fr. Juan Aguado, and its construction occurred between 1742-1744. However, it was damaged by earthquake twice, once in 1787 and another in the 19th century.
When it was about to be repaired, the Diocese of Jaro was established from the Diocese of Cebu on May 27, 1865 by virtue of Papal Bull entitled Qui ab Initio.
The decree also made Jaro the fifth oldest diocese in the Philippines and instituted St. Elizabeth of Hungary as its patron. It counted churches in Basilan, Davao, Negros, Palawan, Romblong, and Zamboanga. The Augustinians gave up Jaro to the secular clergy in exchange for La Paz Church and San Jose Placer Church.
Thus, instead of reconstructing the 18th century church, Jaro Cathedral was built on a new site. Its construction was initiated by Bishop Mariano Cuartero, the first bishop of the Diocese of Jaro, on February 22, 1869. It was completed in 1874 and consecration ceremony was conducted from January 30 to February 2 in that same year.
On February 2, 2012, it was declared a national shrine of Our Lady of Candles. Religious ceremonies of the declaration were held coinciding the 30th year anniversary of canonical crowning of its patroness.
It was one of the national shrines declared by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines in the Visayas region, next to Basilica Minore del Santo Niño in Cebu, The National Shrine of St. Joseph in Mandaue City, Cebu (2001), and Nuestra Señora de Regla Parish National Shrine in Lapulapu, Cebu (2007).
Architecture
Jaro Cathedral is an outstanding Romanesque Revivalist church architecture. In front is a small, fenced garden where rises the images of the Sacred Heart and of Mary.
Old images show that the two belfries on the roof are recent additions. They are imposing in size. Their base is quadrangular, above is similarly designed four-cornered level, and the top is an elongated pyramidal roof.
The design of the belfry and its roof in miniature are also found at the balcony of the facade that houses the statue of the patroness. The balcony is also not present in old pictures so it must have been constructed in later years together with the portico-balcony and the twin symmetrical staircases that lead to it.
The church wall is bounded by thick pillars that end in finials. The entire facade is framed by a pediment above decorated with finials, an acroterion in its peak, and an arch window. It is connected to the pillars through curved slope gable.
Twin pilasters are found on each of the sides (thus a total of four) of the main arch entrance, above which are twin arch windows and a rose window in bricks. Flanking the entrance are arch windows too.
The church is shaped into a cross. At the crossing rises a big dome and cupola. The interior reveals a painted ceiling in the apse. Meanwhile, along the main nave is a vaulted ceiling.
Jaro Belfry
The massive Jaro Belfry of limestone and bricks is another colonial structure. Known to the local churchgoers as Campanario de Jaro or plainly campanario, it is erected apart from the cathedral. Its construction began in 1744, around the time the old church was being built. It also served as a watch tower against campaigns waged by sea pirates coming from the southern Philippines.
It was repaired in 1833 and 1881, in both instances due to damages sustained that were caused by earthquakes. It was damaged yet again by an earthquake on January 25, 1948. Reconstruction was carried out under the guidance of the National Historical Institute in the 1990s.
Jaro Bell Tower is a four-bodied edifice located along a major thoroughfare in Iloilo City. The base is wider than the next two upper levels. It is also pierced with round and arch apertures, while the other levels only have arch openings. It is capped off with a dome and cupola.
Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria
Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, Our Lady of Candles, is also called Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria de Jaro. Its devotion has Spanish roots. Virgen de Candelaria, also known as La Morenita, is the patroness of Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands in Spain and enshrined in Royal Basilica Marian Shrine of Our Lady of Candelaria.
She was discovered by goatherds in 1392 in the shores of Guimar and kept in the Achbinico cave. On February 2, 1497, a mass was held in her honor in a hermitage built nearby.
In the Philippines, the story goes that the statue was discovered in the Iloilo riverbanks. It could not be extricated from where it was, and people were able to pry it out of the waters when a vow was made it would be enthroned in the Jaro Church.
When the Cathedral was built, a similar situation occurred. The patroness showed reluctance in being transferred from the old church. The townsfolk prayed, and successfully they moved her to the Cathedral during its consecration on February 1874. Likewise, her devotees believe that she is growing with the passing of time. Stories of miracles have also been known.
The image of Our Lady of Candles is made of stone. It depicts the Blessed Virgin holding a candle in one hand and another the Holy Child. Each one wears a crown and regal costume. On Mary’s head is a halo of twelve stars.
On February 21, 1981, the image was given a canonical coronation by Pope John Paul II. It was the only image that was personally crowned by a sitting pope. It was also the second Marian image to be canonically crowned after the Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Naga City.
On on April 21, 1982, the image was also declared the patroness of Western Visayas region which comprises of the provinces Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental.
Heritage
The National Historical Institute (NHI) declared the Jaro Cathedral a heritage church. A Level II historical marker was installed by NHI in 1976. Additionally, the famous Jaro Belfry was declared a National Historical Landmark by the NHI by virtue of Resolution No. 2, series of 1984.
Jaro Cathedral together with Molo Church, Iloilo City Central Business District, Fort San Pedro, Jaro Plaza Complex, Molo Plaza Complex, and Plaza Libertad Complex was declared a cultural heritage church through Republic Act No. 10555 that was approved on May 15, 2013.
Celebration
The annual feast of Our Lady of Candles, which is called Candlemas, is celebrated every February 2. It marks two religious events, the presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple and the purification of Mary.
According to Jewish customs, the first-born son is to be presented in the temple. The child Jesus was offered to God and then his parents Joseph and Mary redeemed him with two pigeons.
Mary on other hand has to observe rites of purification after giving birth, and she has two offer a lamb and a pigeon. Such observance was first recorded to be celebrated as early as 400 A.D and it coincided with the festival of lights that began in 11th century.
Services
The confessional is open 4:30 in the afternoon on Tuesday and Thursday.
Mass schedule
Below is the weekly mass schedule of Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral in Jaro, Iloilo City from December 2, 2024 to December 8, 2024. Please reach out to the church for an updated schedule. Additionally, you may also want to view mass schedules of churches in Iloilo City.
Monday
- 5:30-6:30 AM (Hiligaynon)
- 6:30-7:30 AM (Hiligaynon)
- 12:15-1:15 PM (English)
- 5:30-6:30 PM (English)
Tuesday
- 5:30-6:30 AM (Hiligaynon)
- 6:30-7:30 AM (Hiligaynon)
- 12:15-1:15 PM (English)
- 5:30-6:30 PM (English)
Wednesday
- 5:30-6:30 AM (Hiligaynon)
- 6:30-7:30 AM (Hiligaynon)
- 12:15-1:15 PM (English)
- 5:30-6:30 PM (English)
Thursday
- 5:30-6:30 AM (Hiligaynon)
- 6:30-7:30 AM (Hiligaynon)
- 12:15-1:15 PM (English)
- 5:30-6:30 PM (English)
Friday
- 5:30-6:30 AM (Hiligaynon)
- 6:30-7:30 AM (Hiligaynon)
- 12:15-1:15 PM (English)
- 5:30-6:30 PM (English)
Saturday
- 5:30-6:30 AM (Hiligaynon)
- 6:30-7:30 AM (Hiligaynon)
- 5:30-6:30 PM (English - Anticipated Mass)
Sunday
- 5:00-6:00 AM (Hiligaynon)
- 7:00-8:00 AM (English)
- 9:00-10:00 AM (Hiligaynon)
- 12:00-1:00 PM (English)
- 3:00-4:00 PM (English)
- 5:00-6:00 PM (Hiligaynon)
- 7:00-8:00 PM (English)
Church information
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Name | Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral in Jaro, Iloilo City |
| Other Names | Jaro Cathedral, National Shrine of Our Lady of Candles, Our Lady of Candles Parish |
| Address | Rizal Street, Jaro 5000 Iloilo City |
| Country | Philippines |
| Contact | (033) 329 1625 |
| jaro.candelaria@aol.com | |
| web.facebook.com | |
| www.instagram.com | |
| twitter.com | |
| Website | www.rcajaro.com |
| YouTube | www.youtube.com |
| Religion | |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Founder | Order of St. Augustine |
| Established | April 1587 |
| Age | 437 years |
| Status | Cathedral, National Shrine |
| Declared as cathedral | May 27, 1865 |
| Archdiocese | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Jaro |
| Vicariate | Vicariate of St. Peter |
| Patron | Our Lady of Candles, Saint Elizabeth of Hungary |
| Feast day | February 2 |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage | National Historical Landmark (Jaro Belfry), Heritage Church |
| Completed | 1874 |
| Age since completed | 150 years |
| Consecrated | January 30 - February 2, 1874 |
| Builder | Bishop Mariano Cuartero |
| Style | Romanesque Revivalist |
Nearby Churches
- Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Jaro, Iloilo City
- Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Vicente Ferrer in Leganes, Iloilo
- Espousal of Our Lady Church in Mandurriao, Iloilo City
- Jaro Carmel
- Nuestra Señora del Pilar Church in Jaro, Iloilo City
- Our Lady of Montserrat Church in Gran Plains Subd., Iloilo City
- Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Church in La Paz, Iloilo City
- San Agustin Chapel in Sambag, Jaro, Iloilo City
- San Lorenzo Ruiz Church in Iloilo City, Iloilo
- Spousal of Mary and Joseph Church in Buntatala, Jaro, Iloilo City
- St. Clement Church in La Paz, Iloilo City
- St. Joseph the Worker Church in Jaro, Iloilo City
- Sta. Monica Church in Pavia, Iloilo
References
- Hermoso, Christina (February 1, 2021). Feast of Our Lady of Candelaria, Presentation of the Lord. Manila Bulletin. Retrieved October 20, 2022
- Archdiocese of Jaro (2007). Acts and Decrees of the Third Diocesan Synod of Jaro. St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary. Jaro, Iloilo City. Retrieved October 20, 2022
- Belfry of the Jaro Cathedral. National Historical Commission of the Philippines. October 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2022
- Republic Act No. 10555. Official Gazette. Retrieved October 20, 2022
- Archdiocese of Jaro. Union of Catholic Asian News. Retrieved October 20, 2022
- List of Tourist Attraction. City Government of Iloilo. August 2018. Retrieved October 21, 2022
- Burgos, Nestor P. Jr. (January 30, 2012) Nat’l shrine declaration for Jaro cathedral. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 21, 2022
- Malabanan, James (February 1, 2017). Nuestra Señora de Candelaria de Jaro – Ang Iloy of Western Visayas. Retrieved October 21, 2022
- Our Lady of Candelaria. Goan Churches. Retrieved October 21, 2022
- Rosal-Sumagaysay, Joy (February 1, 2008). Viva la Candelaria de Jaro. The News Today. Retrieved October 21, 2022
- Rosal-Sumagaysay, Joy (1996). Jaro Belfry. Souvenir Program of the Nuestra Sra. de la Candelaria. Retrieved October 21, 2022
- Momblan, Gail (February 2, 2019). Jaro Fiesta centers on the life of youth. Philippine News Agency. Retrieved October 22, 2022
- Katedral ng Jaro. National Historical Commission of the Philippines. November 2011. Retrieved October 26, 2022