ADVERTISEMENT
970x220

Pasig diocese designated its first minor basilica

Published Nov 23, 2022 03:16 pm

The Diocese of Pasig was designated its first minor basilica after 19 years of existence.

Shrine of St. Anne in Taguig (Facebook)

Pope Francis recently granted the elevation of the Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Anne in Taguig City to the status of a minor basilica.

Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles John Brown presided over the holy mass on Nov. 21, the feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In his homily, the Papal envoy reminded the faithful that a basilica has special privileges with ties to the Pope such as the granting of a plenary indulgence to those who devoutly visit the basilica on certain days and participate in sacred rites.

“The church should be a place of protection for the poor, for the weak, and for all of us no matter what our background is, no matter what our temptations may be, no matter what our failures are. Let’s make our churches open to everyone. The church is a place where God is present. The church is a place where our sins are forgiven,” Archbishop Brown said.

For his part, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines vice president Pasig Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara expressed his joy at the elevation of the church into a minor basilica status as he called it a huge blessing for the faithful. The prelate also thanked Pope Francis for the honor “which brings us much pride and joy. We are extremely grateful,” he said.

“We know that being granted the title of a minor basilica is a precious gift that comes with a responsibility to strengthen the spiritual life, pastoral works and acts of charity of the parish community. This involves imitating the three values of St. Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary: love, hope and piety,” Bishop Vergara said.

Church leaders led by CBCP president Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David attended the event as well as government leaders, representatives of religious groups and the lay faithful.

The Vatican approved the diocese’s petition to be declared a minor basilica on June 29, 2022, but the diocese only made it public on July 26. The parish houses a bone relic of its patron, St. Anne.

Related Tags

Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles John Brown first minor basilica Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Anne Pasig diocese pope francis
ADVERTISEMENT
300x250

Sign up by email to receive news.