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History of the Samahan ng San Antonio de Padua

The Samahan ng San Antonio de Padua of the Diocesan Shrine of San Agustin and Santa Cruz Parish was established in 1926. During its early years, it was common to see men, women, and children walking through the streets leading to the church dressed in garments resembling the habit of the Franciscan Order, complete with the distinctive white cord worn around the waist. These faithful were among the first baptized devotees to foster and publicly manifest devotion to Saint Anthony of Padua in the town of Tanza. Having experienced what they believed to be the graces and blessings obtained through the intercession of their patron saint, they laid the foundations of an association that continues to flourish and attract devotees to the present day.

Motivated by their deep devotion, these early members pledged to participate regularly in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist every Tuesday in honor of Saint Anthony, the wonder-working Franciscan friar widely revered as a powerful intercessor before God. Devotees particularly sought his aid through the image of the Christ Child he traditionally carries and invoked his assistance in recovering lost objects and obtaining spiritual favors.

In 1941, shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War, a miraculous image of Saint Anthony was brought to the parish church to provide devotees with a focal point for prayer and petition. Following the war, the annual celebration of the Feast of Saint Anthony on June 13 was revived under the leadership of Mrs. Librada Arayata de Peralta. Preparations for the feast included a nine-day novena attended by numerous devotees each afternoon. The feast day itself was highlighted by the solemn celebration of the Holy Mass, followed by a grand procession featuring the venerable and miraculous image of the saint.

In May 1955, a general assembly of the Samahan ng San Antonio de Padua was convened under the leadership of Leopoldo Arcaira, then Parish Priest of Tanza and later Bishop of Malolos. During this gathering, officers of the organization were formally elected. Mrs. Asuncion S. Poblete was chosen as President, with Mrs. Librada A. de Peralta serving as Vice President.

Central to the mission of the Samahan ng San Antonio de Padua has been the promotion and preservation of devotion to Saint Anthony for future generations. To this end, it has faithfully continued its traditional religious activities, including the annual novena, the celebration of the Holy Mass, the feast-day procession, assistance to members during times of illness and bereavement, and active participation in the pastoral and devotional life of the shrine and parish.

As devotion to Saint Anthony continued to grow over the years, the organization likewise expanded, eventually giving rise to a dedicated choir. Under the leadership of Mrs. Norma A. Zagala, the hymn “San Antonio de Padua” was composed and remains in use today as a tribute to the saint, not only in Tanza but also in neighboring communities. Mrs. Zagala is likewise recognized for her numerous sacred compositions, particularly those honoring Saint Augustine of Hippo, the patron saint of Tanza, affectionately known among the faithful as “Tata Usteng.”

The image of Saint Anthony of Padua currently enshrined within the Diocesan Shrine was sculpted by Mr. Maximo Vicente, Sr. of Manila. The older image, preserved under the care of the Dela Cruz–Entrata family, continues to be carried in procession during the annual feast celebrations.

Today, the Samahan ng San Antonio de Padua is composed of more than fifty members representing different generations and walks of life. Despite differences in age and perspective, its members remain united by a common commitment to fostering devotion to Saint Anthony of Padua and by a spirit of Christian charity that strengthens their communal bonds. Through their continued dedication, they honor the great Franciscan saint, Doctor of the Church, and beloved patron whose legacy continues to inspire the faithful of Tanza.

DALIT NANG TOUA
‎
‎Cun saclolo ang hanap natin
‎Sa paghihingalong mahigpit.
‎
‎Si Maria,i, siyang tauaguin
‎sa pag-acyat niya sa langit.
‎
‎Ang tanang sangcalangitan
‎nag-aauit nagdiriuang
‎na ang Reinang sacdal mahal
‎lumipad nang pailanlang,
‎di lingap ang ating lagay
‎i-iuan sa madlang saquit.
‎
‎Si Maria,i, siyang tauaguin
‎sa pag-acyat niya sa langit.
‎
‎Pagdacang na balitaan
‎nang manga ibong tanan,
‎na sila Ay papanaouan
‎ng alio nang calumbayan,
‎Ang canilag panambitan
‎bendición sila, i, magcamit.
‎
‎Si Maria,i, siyang tauaguin
‎sa pag-acyat niya sa langit.
‎
‎Sa luha tayo,I, matunao
‎tayon tanang quinapal,
‎dahil sa ati,i, papanao
‎ang Ina nang cañuaan;
‎Nguni,t, huag nating asahan
‎saclolo niya,i. ipsgcait.
‎
‎Si Maria,i, siyang tauaguin
‎sa pag-acyat niya sa langit.
‎
‎
‎ Si Mariang Iubhang pabám,
‎bahaguing tangí ang hinirang
‎caya,t, di siya na lahiran
‎nang pait nang camatayan;
‎at lipós nang catouaan
‎namatay sa sinta,t, ibig.
‎
‎Si Maria,i, siyang tauaguin
‎sa pag-acyat niya sa langit.
‎
‎Sa pag-aalab sa sinta
‎nang lumic-hâ caniya,
‎sintanga at di iba
‎ang nitil nang búhay niyá,
‎caya,t, puspós nang ligaya,
‎pinupuring ualang patid.
‎
‎Si Maria,i, siyang tauaguin
‎sa pag-acyat niya sa langit.
‎
‎Naquita at namasdán
‎ang apóstoles na hirang,
‎cay Mariang pagcamatay,
‎at sila ay nalunasan,
‎lalo na nang mapaquingan
‎Augeles na nag aauitan
‎
‎Si Maria,i, siyang tauaguin
‎sa pag-acyat niya sa langit.
‎
‎Oras nga ay dumating na
‎nang pagpanao ni Maria.
‎¡oh! araw na cacaiba
‎na di nagquitang aurora
‎sa pagca,t, sa iba, Señora
‎sumilang ang iyóng diquít.
‎
‎Si Maria,i, siyang tauaguin
‎sa pag-acyat niya sa langit.
‎
‎¡LiC-háng sino itó,t, alin
‎bangó,i, nagcalat sa hangin,
‎at Nacalocloc sa piling
‎nang Dios, ha Hari natin!
‎di iba,t, ang Reinang Virgen,
‎di mangyaring ipagsulit.
‎
‎Si Maria,i, siyang tauaguin
‎sa pag-acyat niya sa langit.
‎
‎Pauang astros ang hiyas niya
‎sa pacpac ng Querubines,
‎nacahilig nac -yat siya,
‎at sa carrorg Serefines,
‎Sa Haring caniyang sinta,
‎at Anac, na ini-ibig.
‎
‎Si Maria,i, siyang tauaguin
‎sa pag-acyat niya sa langit.
‎
‎Nagdaan na ang tag-ulan
‎nang tanan mong cahirapan
‎at ngayo,i, pauang auitan
‎ang narinig na lamang
‎ito nguyon y siyang alay
‎nang Coros na mariquit.
‎
‎Si Maria,i, siyang tauaguin
‎sa pag-acyat niya sa langit.
‎
‎Taga Siong punó naNg gracia,
‎Sa bua,i, lalong maganda
‎icao nang Dios, ay Esposa,
‎isa iyo, sino ang papara?
‎na Anac, at Ina Niya,
‎Bucod tanging ini ibig.
‎
‎Si Maria,i, siyang tauaguin
‎sa pag-acyat niya sa langit.
‎
‎
‎Sa pagca tangi cang Reina,
‎araw ang siya mong danit,
‎at bitoing maririquit
‎ang bigay sa iyong corona;
‎at uala ca ngang capara
‎sa taas, mong di malirip.
‎
‎Si Maria,i, siyang tauaguin
‎sa pag-acyat niya sa langit.
‎
‎Sa trono mong sacdal taas
‎Alala mo caming lahat,
‎at hirap nami,i, iyong lingap,
‎camAy mo po,i, iyong igauad
‎sa aming dali,t, saquit
‎
‎Si Maria,i, siyang tauaguin
‎sa pag-acyat niya sa langit.
‎
‎Sa iyo, Reinang marangal,
‎cami pó ay na dulog
‎at pauang luluhog luhog¡
‎na cami ay caauan;
‎yamang alolod cang tunay
‎uang guinhauang ualang guilid
‎
‎Si Maria,i, siyang tauaguin
‎sa pag-acyat niya sa langit.
‎
‎Tangi ang aming capalaran
‎cung sa galing mo nang sacdal,
‎ay amin namang camtan
‎ang magandang camatayan,
‎naag cami ay mag tagumpay
‎sa demonióng lub-hang ganid
‎
‎Si Maria,i, siyang tauaguin
‎sa pag-acyat niya sa langit.
‎
‎Cun saclolo ang hanap natin
‎sa paghihingalong mahigpit;
‎
‎Si Maria,i, siyang tauaguin
‎sa pag-acyat niya sa langit.

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Monday, june 8, 2026

Happy Birthday Luis