The celebration of La Naval de Manila is set to kick off with the enthronement rites on Sept. 29 and the solemn feast on Oct. 9, 2022, at Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City.

This year’s theme, “Journeying with Mary towards a Church of Communion, Participation, and Mission,” is inspired by Pope Francis’ call for all Catholics to be more involved in the life and mission of the Church through the process of synodality.

In every procession and novena the faithful participate in, they are reminded of their Christian identity as a people on the Way (Acts 24:14), continuing their earthly pilgrimage in the company of Mary along with their brothers and sisters in faith.

Several practices that were halted in the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic are expected to be brought back in this year’s festivities.

Among these is the reconstruction of the baldacchino or the elevated canopy that enthrones the Blessed Mother during the whole month of the Holy Rosary.

In the liturgy, the devotees will once again hear the angelic voices of the Tiples de Santo Domingo boys choir singing the famous Regina Sacratissimi Rosarii and Adios, Reina del Cielo among others.

The grand procession will also push through after two years of being replaced by the Maringal na Pagdungaw ng Mahal na Birhen situated on the Carroza Trinfual.

Daily Masses will be streamed live on the La Naval de Manila YouTube and Facebook page and will begin from Sept. 30 to Oct. 8 with the following time slots: 6am, 7:30am, 9am, 10:30am, 12nn, 4pm (Sundays), and 6pm.

The Holy Rosary and Novena Mass will begin at 5:20pm in the whole duration of the La Naval festivities. (Br. Eugene Dominic V. Aboy, OP)