By Christina Hermoso
The Holy Father Pope Francis has approved the canonical coronation of the more than a hundred-year-old image of the revered Birhen ng Dororosa (Our Lady of Sorrows) in Dolores, Quezon.
(FLICKR/ MANILA BULLETIN)
The Pontiff approved the decree for the canonical coronation of the miraculous Marian image last March 28 in recognition of the deep and strong devotion displayed by devotees of the Birhen ng Dolorosa.
A canonical coronation is a pious institutional act wherein the Pope, through a bull, designates a crown or a stellar halo be added to a Marian image under a specific devotional title in a particular diocese.
Diocese of Lucena Bishop Mel Rey Uy announced the good news on June 9 to the faithful in his diocese. The canonical coronation rites will be held on March 25, 2020 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows, which houses the Marian icon. Established in 1840, the parish was declared as the National Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows on June 15, 2017.
Venerated as the patron saint of overseas Filipino workers and their families, the Birhen ng Dolorosa will be the 44th canonically crowned Marian image in the country. The Vatican, earlier, approved the episcopal coronation of the image on April 12.
Bishop Uy recently gifted the Holy Father with an image of the Birhen ng Dolorosa during the Filipino bishops’ Ad Limina visit to Rome, Italy.