Diocese of Antipolo holds thanksgiving Masses for Pope Francis
By Nel Andrade

The entire Diocese of Antipolo, covering the whole of Rizal Province and Marikina City, held thanksgiving Masses as gratitude to Pope Francis.
At the Antipolo Cathedral, also known as the International Shrine of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, all the Holy Masses of the day, June 26, were offered for the intention of the Pope as the diocese’s gratitude for the blessings that the entire Diocese of Antipolo has received.
One of the nine Holy Masses at the Antipolo Cathedral on June 26 was officiated by Auxiliary Bishop Nolly C. Buco.
The holding of the Misa De Gracia (Thanksgiving Mass) was instituted by Antipolo Bishop Ruperto C. Santos, through a circular he issued on June 10, 2024, that every 26th of each month, all parishes and local communities under the Diocese of Antipolo are to offer a thanksgiving Mass for the Pope.
Earlier this year, Pope Francis, through his apostolic nuncio to the Philippines, Bishop Charles Brown, offered a golden rose to the Nuestra Señora Dela Paz y Buenviaje , the 17th century old brown-colored image of the Virgin Mary.
The cathedral was declared an international shrine on January 26, 2024, by virtue of a decree of Pope Francis, making the Antipolo City’s place of worship the first international shrine in the country and Southeast Asia and 11th in the world.