"The ‘Rosary Revolution’ in the Philippines"

by Prof. Jose Vidamor Yu

The Filipinos are Marian. Since ages past, history reveals the deep devotions and attachments of the Filipinos to the Blessed Virgin Mary. This veneration is not only reflected in the various popular devotions but also in the fabric of political and economic life of the people. The "rosary revolution" is an indication of the richness of the Catholic devotion to Mary and the true Christian life of the Filipinos.

Mary as Prayerful Virgin: Filipinos in Hope

Like Mary, the Virgin who prays, the Filipinos hope through prayer. The strong hope for a renewed society characterized with increasing economic poverty, has been manifested through the power of the rosary. Filipinos experienced socio-political changes through what we call the "rosary revolution." Thousands of Filipinos took to the streets in 1986 when Jaime Cardinal Sin, Archbishop of Manila called for prayer to bring about change in leadership when Ferdinand Marcos could no longer govern the people.

In January 2001, thousands of Filipinos once again gathered before the Edsa Shrine following the accusations against President Joseph Estrada with regard to plundering the national treasury. Jaime Cardinal Sin called for a "rosary revolution" for a change of leadership and power. Praying the rosary becomes a powerful weapon for a peaceful solution to a political crisis like an ousting of a president who does not have the moral ascendancy to govern.

 Mary as Spiritual Mother: Filipinos choose Peace

The Filipinos are peace-oriented people. In conflicting situations, Filipinos choose to bring life and peace. Mary becomes the model of a Virgin-Mother to the Filipinos bearing Christ, Who is the principle of life to the world through her womb. Through the "rosary revolution" in the Philippines, prayer becomes the new principle of political life to put an end of an administration with an abuse of political power and the furtherance of immorality in government. Life and peace become desired gifts, the nation rebuilds, and the economy regenerates. The Catholic Church believes in the grace of God as the primary agent of change in Philippine society. Jaime Cardinal Sin mentioned that, "we have gathered this afternoon to proclaim the presence of God. The victory of last Saturday was not only the victory of the new president; it was not only the victory of peace-loving Filipinos; it was not only the victory of one power over another; it is first and foremost the victory of the grace of God." The devotion to the Blessed Mother is a clear symbol of the Filipinos’ deep aspirations for new expressions of peace, care, and love in these present times.

The Filipinos are known to possess a unique way of hospitality. Hospitality becomes a way of service to guests by the host. Filipinos are willing to make sacrifices to provide the best treatment and to serve for the common good of everyone. Like Mary during the wedding at Cana, Mary becomes an exemplar of service when he told the servants to "do whatever He tells you". (Jn 2:5) Filipinos turn to Mary to seek the Will of God. The "rosary revolution" indicates the Filipinos’ commitment to good government. This commitment of service is a commitment to truth and justice.