Posted July 19, 2019

Filipino Catholics and other faithful came to the Miraculous Medal Shrine in Philadelphia July 13 to celebrate a devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of FIAT — Filipinos in America Today. Following Mass celebrated by Vincentian Bishop Roland Santos and Philadelphia priest Father Efren Esmilla among other clergy, several laymen carried a statue of Our Lady of FIAT through the shrine accompanied by prayers and hymns, followed by a reception. The devotion — focusing on a person saying “yes” to God’s will as did Mary (fiat) — began in 1993 in Philadelphia under the leadership of Father Esmilla after his ordination, and has been growing ever since. See the Act of Consecration to Our Lady of FIAT here. (Photos by Sarah Webb)

  • Cora Jacinto prays with the congregation during Mass.

  • Dr. Nini Tarampi serves as a lector for the Mass.

  • Vada Reyes

  • A choir leads the congregation in song.

  • E.J. Ramos

  • Bishop Roland Santos, C.M., preaches the homily.

  • Anton Asistido, great-nephew to Father Ephren Esmilla, serves at the altar for the Mass.

  • The statue of Our Lady of FIAT is displayed prominently during the Mass at the Miraculous Medal Shrine.

  • Sister Gertrude Borres, R.A., joins in prayer with Filipino young adults.

  • The community prays the Act of Consecration to Our Lady of FIAT.

  • Following Mass, young men carry the statue of Our Lady of FIAT from the church to the lower level where the shrine to Our Lady of FIAT is located.

  • The young ladies of the community carry flowers to be presented before the Our Lady of FIAT statue once it is blessed.

  • Bishop Roland Santos, C.M., blesses the Our Lady of FIAT statue.

  • Flowers are placed before Our Lady of FIAT.

  • Debi Seva receives a blessing from Father Epren Esmilla after the consecration.

  • Members of the Reyes family pose for a picture after lighting a candle at the shrine.

  • Members of the Filipino community celebrate after the consecration of the Our Lady of FIAT Shrine.