Hundreds of Marian devotees and residents of Antipolo City and nearby municipalities in Rizal and Metro Manila joined the observance of the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception at the International Shrine of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage on Friday, Dec. 8.
The shrine was filled with churchgoers especially during the 7 a.m. Mass that was officiated by Antipolo Bishop Ruperto C. Santos.
A grand procession with the image of the Immaculate Conception was held at 8 a.m. with the attendance of hundreds of parishioners.
(Photo from Antipolo Cathedral)
Novena masses were held every 6 p.m. prior to December 8 with guest priests coming from other parishes and shrines celebrating the religious event at the cathedral.
Fr. Reynante Tolentino told Manila Bulletin that prior to becoming a cathedral in 1983, the national shrine has been known as the Parish of the Immaculate Conception.
Meanwhile, Tolentino said the parishioners, the devotees and visitors may visit the cathedral's museum, the Museo Dela Virgen which is open from Monday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m, to know more about the history of the venerated brown image of the Virgin Mary and the cathedral where it is enshrined.