Early in the morning of March 16, 1984, the regular churchgoers of San Roque were struck with grief and indignation when they discovered that their Patroness was sacrilegiously stolen from Her altar. For months, a gloomy cloud hovered over the Caviteños. Many felt that their faith began to wane. Others avoided going to church for fear of seeing the empty throne of the Virgin; others were more optimistic–""Di revolvi la Virgen"" (The Virgin will return). Prayer rallies were held for the immediate recovery of the image. In the first prayer rally held, there was a very touching scene which brought tears to the devotees. The ""carosa de la Virgen de la Soledad"" was brought to the former site of the Ermita. It was fully decorated with fresh flowers. But the frame in which the image was formerly encased was empty.