Museo ni Maria

Contributed by Cielou Posadas, Letran-Bataan

ORANI, Bataan – Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish of this town, houses the only Mary Museum in Bataan. Pilgrims and devotees from different places all over the Philippines come to this town to offer prayers and worship the Miraculous Virgin Mary. The head of Confradia Del Birhen Milagrosa de Orani (people in charge of maintaining the museum) Ms. Perpetua Pantig or simply Ms. Pia, gave me the privilege to know more about Museo ni Maria and of course, the miraculous events experienced by some of the devotees.

The construction of Museo ni Maria in 2004 was approved by the Reconstruction Committee together with Msgr. Victor Ocampo, the Parish Curate at that time. In 2011, Fr. Santos de Tablan decided to use the former meeting hall as a place to put the Marian exhibit. A total of sixty dresses can be found in the museum but only a few are in display together with the crown sets.

Ms. Pia shared some memorable stories about some dresses. The oldest dress that can be found in the museum is dated way back in 1959. It was worn by the Virgin Mary replica during the first canonical. Ms. Pia also explained that some dresses and crown sets, are donated by people who experienced miracles after praying to Virgin Mary.

One of her stories was when an old lady who was unable to walk due to an illness, visited the museum with the help of her family during their family vacation. They were supposed to visit a different church before heading home but the family said that they had the sudden urge to visit Museo ni Maria and so they went to visit and pray. After a week, the Confradia got a call from the same family and received news that the old lady can walk again because they prayed to the Virgin Mary. The family decided to give a set of crown as donation to show their gratitude.

San Antonio de Padua and Christ the King statue dating way back 1947 is also found on the other part of the museum, as well as souvenir programs starting way back 1952.

It is truly a humbling and overwhelming experience visiting the Museo. Going there was a breath of fresh air. I had the time to not just go through an eye-opening interview but also to pray.

The museum is open to the public during Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 am to 12 pm and 2pm to 5pm.