RANGA: Igniting the Flame of Hope in Our Hearts

By Rev. Fr. Joseph A. Salando, Shrine Rector and Pastor

A Knock at the Door

On a busy Sunday morning, as I was preparing for Mass, someone knocked softly at the parish office door. A woman stepped in quietly, handed me an envelope, and said with a trembling voice:

“Pasensya ka na po kaini, Father. Iyo sana muna ini nakayanan ko. Para ini sa renovation kan Harong ni Iná.”

Let’s call her Esperanza. She came from Naga City—returning to Joroan not just as a pilgrim, but as a mother whose prayers had once been answered.

More than 15 years ago, Esperanza had visited Iná with one deep longing: to have a child. Today, she came back to say thank you—with her children by her side.

Recently, her family faced another crisis. Her small business closed, and with school about to begin, she didn’t know how she would cover tuition. Once again, she turned to Iná in prayer. And once again, grace came.

She returned not with abundance, but with gratitude—offering what she could, as a sign of love and thanksgiving.

“Mabalik giraray ako, Father,” she whispered, before joining the crowd of pilgrims for Mass.

Stories That Spark Hope

Esperanza’s story is just one of many shared here in the Shrine—stories of healing, of answered prayers, of deep faith. Over the past week, I’ve spent time in conversation with parishioners discerning how to serve as lay ministers. Time and again, I hear this heartfelt line:

“Maserbi ako ki Iná. Kadakol an milagro asin tabang an ginibo nya sako.”

These stories ignite hope in my own heart.

An mga patotoo kan mga simpleng deboto, minapalaad man nin paglaom sa sakuyang puso.

Their witness is a gift of ranga—love—and a reminder that the fire of faith is still burning brightly among us.

Pilgrims of Hope

Mary, our Iná, never stops watching over us. She carries in her heart those final words spoken to her from the cross:

“Behold your son.”

She sees our struggles and dreams, our weariness and courage. Her gaze is full of tenderness. Through her, we learn to look at one another not as strangers but as katood sa dalan—fellow pilgrims on the road, each carrying hidden burdens, each seeking healing, purpose, and peace.

To be a devotee of Iná is to walk together in hope.
To love as she loves.
To lift one another up along the journey.

Tunay man nanggad, si Iná an ranga kan mga disipulos.
Dinadara nya kita ki Jesu-Cristo, an paglaom kan gabos.

Camino de Joroan 2025

As we begin Camino de Joroan: Pilgrimage Season 2025, from July 2 (Parish Fiesta) to October 4 (Diocesan Marian Youth Pilgrimage), may more stories like Esperanza’s come to life.

May this sacred season be filled with testimonies of faith, gratitude, and healing.
May it be a time of ranga asin pagranga—of receiving and giving love.