In the traditional calendar of the Church, September 12 marks the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary. It was officially instituted in the Church as a liturgical feast by Pope Innocent XI to commemorate victory at the Battle of Vienna in the year 1683. It is believed that the people of Vienna gained victory through the intercession of the Blessed Mother.

In the Philippines, this celebration of Our Lady’s memorial is extra significant because for six years now, we have been dedicating this day to prayer and fasting for peace and national unity. It is a day people will beg the Lord through the intercession of Mary, when “Mediatrix of All Grace,’’ to grant us what we need as a nation to attain peace, unity, and progress. People will once again gather in the Carmelite monastery of Lipa, site of the apparition of the Blessed Mother in 1948. It is believed that Mary showed special affection for Filipinos because of our firm faith in God and strong devotion to her as Mother of God.

Prior to today’s main event, the faithful of the Archdiocese of Lipa, led by Archbishop Ramon C. Arguelles, DD, spent three days in intense prayer and reflection to spiritually prepare for this gathering of Marian devotees.

The Sixth National Pilgrimage to Lipa coincides with the Asian Marian Congress, with the theme “Pueblo Amante de Maria, Mediatrix of All Grace: Called to Proclaim the Good News to Fellow Asians.’’ It is hoped that the devotion to Our Lady will spread not only in our country but to other Asian nations and to the rest of the world.

We join the pilgrims to Lipa in their prayer for peace and unity that is grounded on truth and justice. With them, we beg our Lord through our Blessed Mother to continually guide and lead us along the right path – the path of Jesus who is the King of Peace.