Seven Sorrows of Virgin Mary Commemorated in Turumba Festival in Laguna

TURUMBA FESTIVAL

Every year during the months of April and may, the people of Pakil, in the province of Laguna celebrates the Turumba Festival. It commemorates the seven sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is held 7 times each year between the months of April and May. The first is held on the Friday before Palm Sunday and the last falls on Pentecost Sunday.

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During the late 18th century, some fishermen saw an picture of the Blessed Virgin Mary caught in their net while fishing in Laguna de Bay. The fishermen then decided to bring the image to the nearest church they could find. When they reached the seashore, all efforts to bring it to the church was futile because the image became so heavy. the following morning a lot of people gathered around the image because of the news that it was immovable. When the priest arrived, he and the people vowed that they would make an annual pilgrimage to the image. in doing so, they succeeded in bringing it to they church.

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On the way to the church some of the people started dancing and singing in praise of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This singing and dancing is what we call turumba and many devotees today sing a song that was written especially for the said event. – budzky.tripod.com

Photo from: flickr.com

During the months of April and May, the town of Pakil celebrates the Turumba Festival. The festival commemorates the seven sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is the reason why festivities are held 7 times between the months of April and May. The first is held on the Friday before Palm Sunday. Succeeding events are held with 9 day intervals between them. The last event falls on Pentecost Sunday.

Photo from: lakbaypilipinas.com

There are a number of versions as to the history of how this tradition began. The most common among this is that during the late 18th century, some fishermen saw a picture measuring 9″ x 11″ of the Blessed Virgin Mary tangled in their nets while fishing in Laguna de Bay. These fishermen decided to bring the image to the nearest church that they could find. However, only when they started to row towards Pakil did their boat moved. Upon reaching the shore, all efforts to bring it to the church was futile because the image became to heavy. News spread around town about the image that is too heavy to be lifted or moved. When the town priest arrived, he and the people vowed that they would make an annual pilgrimage to the image. In doing so, they succeeded in bringing it to the church. Along the way, some people started dancing and singing in praise to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Photo from: flickriver.com

This celebration started what we now call the Turumba Festival. The painting was enshrined in the church of San Pedro de Alcantara on September 15, 1788 – pakil.net

Photo from: flickr.com/photos/keenesquivias1998/3902535737