 |
| Lolo Uweng |
We have known Jesus in the Holy Sepulchre, fondly called “Lolo Uweng", last August of 2012 when we met Lola Rosy, a "manghihilot", who was introduced to us by an acquaintance. According to her, many devotee would go to Lolo Uweng which is very near our place in Sta. Rosa, Laguna where one of His chapel is located. Before, DH and I would really want to go to Father Pio in Libis, Quezon City but far distance constrains us to do so plus the fact that, as much as possible, I don't want to be a devotee of Saints. Don't get me wrong. I always pray directly to Father God or through his son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, and that is what I like it to be. When Lolo Uweng came to our life...into our TTC ordeal and journey, I am very happy because He represents Lord God Jesus Christ in persona. I can call Him Lolo Uweng, Jesus, Lord, God.
Based on my research, Lola Rosy and DH, Friday is Lolo Uweng’s day of devotion. Though the Shrine is open seven days a week, devotees prefer to particularly come to Him on a Friday, commemorating the first Good Friday when Jesus Christ suffered and died on the cross to consummate His salvific act. On this day, devotees begin streaming into the Shrine even before sunrise. Also at this time, devotees would start falling inline for the chance to touch Him or even just His garments at the Veneration Chapel. This brief physical encounter is most sacred and solemn for a devotee, where he or she would utter a short prayer of adoration, contrition, thanksgiving or supplication to Lolo Uweng.
People who are not familiar with Lolo Uweng would surely mistake him to be an old man living inside the Santo Sepulcro Church of Brgy. Landayan, San Pedro, Laguna, His home. But no, Lolo Uweng is not some aged man worshiped by people. He is rather a dead image and persona of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to Historians, it was sometime in the 19th century when an icon of a dead Jesus Christ was placed in a “visita” in Landayan. “Visita” is the term for an improvised place of worship that natives built in towns, a chapel. The image of the dead Jesus Christ became the center of a well-known veneration by people and eventually was the source of all miraculous healing stories. He was given the name “Emmanuel Salvador Del Mundo,” which according to the old church workers, was derived from the inscription found on the icon’s original wooden camarin. The term “Lolo Uweng,” on the other hand, was obtained from the first name “Emmanuel.”
Similar with the famous “Nazareno” in Quiapo, Manila, Lolo Uweng has been prominent for the miracles and phenomenal healing He has caused His devotees. In fact, the image has been largely visited and venerated by many devotees and Catholics in many parts of the country and of the world. It has also become a top destination among pilgrims especially during the celebration of the Holy Week.
DH and I started going to Lolo Uweng in August 2012. Every Friday, after our work, we would meet near the church then goes directly to the chapel of Lolo Uweng. It has become our devotion to meet every week, on a Friday, and asked for Lolo Uweng's healing and eventually give us the desires of our heart...to end our TTC ordeal and bless us with our child. We know for a fact that it is not the fertility drugs, the work ups or the fertility treatments that will have us conceive but our faith to our Lord Jesus Christ that through His mercy, He will provide and bless us with a child. No matter how painful and heartbreaking our TTC journey is, DH and I will continue to believe in our faith and wait for that one moment, for that one precious God's perfect time, for us to eventually conceive our miracle angel. Our baby, our gift of patiently waiting and believing in our Almighty Father God.