The City Government of Manila, through its 12th Legislative Council, has passed a resolution that officially named Nuestra Señora de Loreto de Sampaloc (Our Lady of Loreto) as the patroness of the District of Sampaloc.

The resolution was sponsored by Councilor Don Juan “DJ” Bagatsing and the other councilors from the Fourth District of Manila.

The revered image of Our Lady of Loreto is believed to be miraculous and attracts large crowds of devotees particularly on its feast day on Dec. 10.

Two other resolutions were also passed on the City Government of Manila’s support for the parish initiative to petition the quadricentennial image of the Virgin of Loreto for Pontifical Coronation and to elevate the Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Loreto in Sampaloc to a national shrine as  the only church dedicated to her in the country.

The Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Loreto was established by the Franciscan Missionaries in 1613 and is considered the oldest parish church in the area.

Also known as Our Mother of Loreto, Our Lady of Loreto is a Marian title that refers to the Holy House of Loreto (Santa Casa di Loreto) in Loreto, Italy, where the Blessed Virgin Mary was born and where the Annunciation was believed to have taken place.

The Holy House of Loreto is considered as the first shrine dedicated to the Blessed Mother. It has been visited by Marian devotees, pilgrims, and tourists for centuries. The house is under the direct authority and protection of the Holy Father.

Saint John Paul II had always carried with him a signage of Our Lady of Loreto for protection against air disasters whenever he travelled during his pontificate.