ILIGAN CITY (20 Sept 2017) - The celebration of the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, officially commences on the 20th day of September with the ritual transfer of the image of the patron saint, dubbed "Pagpakanaug" right after the celebration of the Eucharist at 7:00 o'clock in the morning.
From its niche at the side altar, the image is transferred towards a pedestal in front of the church, accompanied with the rousing chant of devotees: "Viva Senor San Miguel."
The San Miguel image is bathed the night before in preparation for this ritual transfer. The bathing is handled by the members of Mother Butler Mission Guild, and his clothes are meticulously prepared by the Labao Family, which is their vow ("panaad") to the Patron Saint.
Thousands of devotees flock to the cathedral on this day, to witness the ceremonies, and for a chance to don the helmet of St. Michael, believed to impart powers of the warrior-arch angel to the wearer.
The "Pagpakanaug" signals the start of the nine-day novena (devotional prayer) for the patron saint.
Inside the cathedral, sweet incense envelopes the air from the altar throughout the cathedral, while a sea of undulating, swaying warm bodies move towards the pedestal where the image of St. Michael the Archangel stands.
The ritual reaches fever pitch when the ceremonial helmet of the patron saint is placed on its head, and the spear, cape and shield are alternately don on the image.
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