Expelled
from China, Salesian Society of St. John Bosco who first came to
Mandaluyong in 1953 were surprised to see the statue of Mary Help
of Christians in the chapel. She was there… all in the act of waiting
and welcoming. For decades earlier, Archbishop William Pani,
Salesian Apostolic Delegate to the Philippines had spread this devotion
and even succeeded in making the Mary Help of Christians the secondary
patroness of the Philippines.
Aspiring
to realize Mary’s command…. “from here my glory shall shine forth…”, the
Salesians of Don Bosco ventured to build a shrine of Don Bosco Seminary,
in Canlubang, Laguna. Salesians like Fr. Carreno, Fr. Cogliandro
and Fr. Ferrari saw it rise and completed. It was solemnly inaugurated
in 1961 by Archbishop Carmine and Bishop Bantigue. But all the while the
whole Salesian Family fixed their gaze on a bigger sanctuary to be build
somewhere in Greater Manila. It would not be a simple temple. Yes,
it would be in the long run, a National Shrine, a center of Marian devotion
for all the Philippines, a refuge of the whole Salesian Family and thousand
of devotees. It took the Salesian foresight and strong faith of man
like Fr. Luigi Ferrari and Fr. Valeriano Barbero to realize such a dream.
Search
for a suitable piece of land led these fathers to despair almost, when
the Serrano and Dolor families came to the limelight and out of their generous
hearts, donated the land at the Better Living of the Church of Mary Help
of Christians to be constructed. On May 24, 1972, the cornerstone
of the temple was laid by Archbishop Carmine Rocco in the presence of the
Serrano family, a big number of Salesians, Daughter of Mary Help of Christians,
Salesian Cooperators and friends. From the date, construction began,
as generous people here and abroad poured in their generous donations and
thank you notes and petitions. Brick by brick, difficulties not wanting
the temple rose. Sunday masses, baptisms and even weddings began
to be held in the growing temples.
The
day came, on July 24, 1975 the new Parish of Mary Help of Christians
was established and it’s first pastor, Fr. Pierangelo Quaranta,
installed by his excellency Archbishop Jaime Sin. The construction
assumed as steadily speedy growth: the granulithic flooring was completed
(45 pesos each sq. meter donated by so many families), the confessionals
donated by Scienceville people, the stations of the Cross provided by 12
families and the completion of 84 narra benches. The Serrano’s Tropical
Homes have been developing and beautifying the Doña Soledad Park
which is the Shrine’s patio. With its separation from the vast St.
Andrew Parish in Parañaque, the mother parish, a new Christian community
of some 15,000 faithful, living in 11 Parañaque Subdivision, was
formed. But as soon as the construction of the Shrine of Mary Help
of Christians was started in 1973, it was already serving as quasi-parish
by offering Sunday Masses and baptismal service.
Seven
religious associations in the parish have been organized, namely:
the Catholic Women’s League, Holy Name Society, Legion
of Mary, Apostleship of Prayer, Cursillos in Christianity,
Conference
of St. Vincent de Paul, Ladies Auxillaries, Archconfraternity
of Mary Help of Christians. Under the fatherly leadership
and guidance of Fr. Pierangelo Quaranta, these associations have faithfully
given their share towards the improvement of the parish, spiritually and/or
materially. These organizations, which are all mandated, are governed
by an advisory body known as the Parish Council composed of the presidents
and/or by officers of all seven organizations as well as respected lay
leaders in the community. The Vice Provincial of the Salesians of
Don Bosco, the Rector of the Don Bosco Center of Studies and the Assistant
Parish Priest occupy honorary positions in the council. In 1979,
because of the growing need to efficiency render pastoral care for the
people of the community, the parish was divided into two. A new parish
was erected in Sun Valley the parish of the Most Holy Rosary, under the
Passionist Fathers.
On
representations by the Salesians Community, Cardinal Jaime L. Sin and
the Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines approved the creation
of what is now the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians on August
15, 1985.
For
further need for better relationship and communication with people, Marimar
was attached to Sun Valley Parish thereafter.
The
Parish is now comprised of Better Living Subdivision, Aeropark, Scienceville,
Remmanville, Don Bosco Village, Sitio Lorenzo Ruiz, Sitio Fatima, INA Homes,
Levitown Estate, Maharlika Executive, Buensuceso, Philtrust Compound, Agro
Compound and Sitio Sagrada Familia.
