St. Paul of the Cross Parish elevated to diocesan shrine
A parish in Marikina City has been elevated to the rank of diocesan shrine.
The St. Paul of the Cross Parish announced the news in a Facebook post on Friday, March 19.
"With joy and thanksgiving, we share to you our dear parishioners this good news - that our beloved parish was elevated to the rank of Diocesan Shrine," read the post.
"Truly, God continues to bless and affirm every genuine acts of love and service you, our parishioners, have continuously shared to our parish," it further read.
Antipolo Bishop Francisco de Leon declared Saint Paul of the Cross Parish in SSS Village, Marikina as the Diocesan Shrine of St. Paul of of the Cross after having after having considered the petition of the parish priest, Father Vicentico C. Flores Jr., and after having consulted the Presbyteral Council, and convinced of the merits of the said petition.
CBCP News said to be a diocesan shrine, a church must be a place of historical significance, prayer and pilgrimage for a special reason of piety.
It must also exceed other churches in terms of worship, Christian formation, and social services.
When these requirements are met, the parish petitions the bishop to canonically elevate the church.
There is no word yet as to when the formal declaration of the parish as a diocesan shrine will be held.