The symbolic reenactment of the coronation of the 17th century image of the Blessed Virgin Mary highlighted the official declaration as an international shrine of the Antipolo Cathedral, now officially known as the International Shrine of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo City in Rizal on Friday, Jan. 26.
Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Charles John Brown D.D. reenacted the coronation of the image at the cathedral’s compound in front of hundreds of devotees, visitors, and guests on Friday morning.
Shrine Rector Fr. Reynante Tolentino assists Antipolo Bishop Ruperto Santos in fixing the crown on the head of the image of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage during the coronation ceremony. (Photo by Nel Andrade)
Among the attendees were First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos and local government officials.
Some eighty bishops from different dioceses in the country attended the event which placed Antipolo Cathedral in the history of the Catholic Church as the first Marian international shrine in Asia and the country. It became also the first international shrine in Southeast Asia.
Cultural performances of the city’s youth on M. L. Quezon Street welcomed the arriving guests prior to the church ceremony.
Rizal Governor Nina Ricci Ynares and former City Mayor Andrea Ynares, wife of City Mayor Casimiro ‘Jun’ Ynares III handed over the original crown of the Virgin of Antipolo to Antipolo Bishop Ruperto Santos prior to the reenactment of the coronation.
Hundreds of devotees and residents who were not able to enter the church watched the live streaming of the event in Sumulong Park outside the cathedral’s compound on the giant LED screens.
Devotees gather outside the international shrine. (Photo by Nel Andrade)
Several sampaguita vendors offered their garlands of the country's national flower at the foot of the altar during the
church ceremony.
Sampaguita vendors offer their garlands during the Holy Mass. (Photo by Nel Andrade)
Shouts of "Viva La Virgen!" by the crowd happened several times before and after the declaration ceremony.
Mar Bacani of the city government's tourism office said the huge crowd that gathered outside the church and those watching the live stream on the social media pages of the cathedral showed the strong devotion of the people to the Virgin of Antipolo.