The Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene also known as the St. John the Baptist Parish and more popularly known as the Quiapo Church in Manila has been elevated to the status of an archdiocesan shrine.
Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula has approved a petition made by Quiapo Church rector Fr. Rufino Sescon Jr, to elevate the parish into an archdiocesan shrine.
Cardinal Advincula signed the decree dated May 10, 2023.
“We hereby decree that the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene – St John the Baptist Parish (Quiapo Church), be conferred the title of the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Black Nazarene,” His Eminence said.
Quiapo Church’s new status was formally announced Wednesday during a holy mass presided over by Fr. Reginald Malicdem, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Manila.
The declaration of Quiapo Church as an archdiocesan shrine is “long overdue,” said Fr. Malicdem in his homily.
“But for us devotees, whether there is a formal declaration, or none is made, this church is a real shrine because here we feel the presence of God. In this place we experience the mercy, compassion, peace, and love of God for us,” Fr. Malicdem said.
The Quiapo Church is home to the revered image of the Black Nazarene, which gathers millions of devotees during the traslacion procession on Jan. 9.
In 1987, St. John Paul II elevated the church as the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in recognition of its role in strengthening a deep popular devotion to Jesus Christ and its cultural contribution to the religiosity of the Filipinos.
Fr. Sescon earlier announced their plan to push for the elevation of Quiapo Church as a national shrine.
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