July 2 Our Lady of the Visitation, Piat, Cagayan, Philippines.

July 2 Our Lady of the Visitation, Piat, Cagayan, Philippines.

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When Dominican friars from Macao arrived in Piat in 1604, the province of Cagayan was dominated by warring tribes. As miracles accumulated around the friars' papier-mâché image of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, conversions increased, and converts from antagonistic groups united in devotion to the Virgin. In 1623, a shrine was built outside of Piat and the statue brought there in procession. The next day, December 27, the chapel was blessed. Its title was later changed to Our Lady of the Visitation, perhaps after 1737, when on July 2, then the Feast of the Visitation, its roof caved in on a small child found alive after prayers to the Virgin. The statue was canonically crowned in 1954. A new temple, begun in 1988, was dedicated July 18, 1995 by Jaime Cardinal Sin. The Sambali festival leading up to the July 2 feast day involves a costumed dance reenactment of battles between the local tribes and the eventual victory of Christianity.