By Leslie Ann Aquino
The local Catholic church of Balanga in Bataan just received a "precious gift" from God.
Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos announced that the Vatican has granted the title of Minor Basilica to their parish church in Orani.
"The Vatican sacred Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has granted the title of Minor Basilica to our parish church of Our Lady of the Rosary in Orani," he said in a statement posted in the diocese Facebook page Monday.
A CBCP News post earlier explained that the title is given to churches around the world to denote a particular importance in liturgical and pastoral life and a close bond with the pope.
Santos described the elevation of the Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish into a Minor Basilica as a "grace from God."
"An immense grace from God. A very precious gift from the Holy Father. We glorify Him. We are very much grateful to His Holiness, Pope Francis," he said.
"A blessing to the Diocese of Balanga. Our devotion to our Blessed Mother. Truly for us, she is our Virgen Milagrosa del Rosario del Pueblo de Orani," added Santos.
Last March, the National Shrine of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Quezon City was also elevated into such a status.
The other basilicas in the county are the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Batangas City; Minor Basilica of St. Martin of Tours, Batangas; Basilica Minore Del Sto. Nino de Cebu in Cebu; Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Manila Cathedral) in Manila; Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Penafrancia, Camarines Sur; Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, Manila; Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Charity Parish of Sta. Ana in Ilocos; Minor Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel in Quezon; Minor Basilica and National Shrine of San Lorenzo Ruiz, Manila; Minor Basilica of Nuestra Señora de Piat in Cagayan; Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Manila; Minor Basilica of the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Manaoag in Pangasinan; Basilica Minore of St. John the Baptist Shrine of La Virgen Milagrosa de Badoc, Ilocos Norte and Minor Basilica of San Sebastian in Manila.