Bishop hopes to make Antipolo the center of Marian devotion
Diocese of Antipolo Bishop Ruperto C. Santos had expressed hope for the city of Antipolo particularly the International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (Antipolo Cathedral) to be the center of Marian devotion in the country.

“As the first international shrine in the Philippines, it is appropriate to promote greater devotion to the Blessed Mother who will guide the faithful to the path of Christ. We hope to make Antipolo as the center of cultural, theological and Marian conferences to help further spread and deepen our devotion to the Blessed Mother,” said Bishop Santos on the eve of the formal declaration of the pilgrimage site as the first international shrine in the country, the third in Southeast Asia and the 11th in the world on Friday, Jan. 26.
Bishop Santos, who was installed as the new shepherd of the diocese last July said, he also hopes to spread devotion to the revered Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage here in the country and abroad.
“We should be proud of our Mother. Let us spread devotion to her in the country and abroad where I hope novenas to Nuestra Señora dela Paz y Buenviaje will be celebrated,” the Church leader said.
Bishop Santos lauded the efforts of shrine rector and cathedral administrator Fr. Reynante Tolentino in helping spread awareness and devotion to the Virgin of Antipolo.
Meanwhile, more than 80 bishops are expected to attend the declaration of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage as an international shrine on Friday, Jan. 26. Active bishops are currently in Manila to attend their bi annual plenary assembly starting on Saturday, Jan. 27.
Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown, will preside over the eucharistic celebration and declaration rites at 10 a.m. with Bishop Santos. The holy mass will be preceded by a procession of the image of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage at 8 a.m. to be followed by a rite of coronation of the image at 9:30 a.m.
On the eve of the declaration on Thursday, Jan. 25, there will be praying of the holy rosary and the ninth novena prayer in all parishes under the jurisdiction of the diocese.
In June 2022, the Vatican announced the approval of the petition to elevate the cathedral into an international shrine, The cathedral’s new status took effect on March 25, 2023, according to a Vatican decree.