By Nel Andrade
The Parish of St. John The Baptist in Taytay, Rizal, is now a minor basilica.
Following a solemn declaration ceremony held on July 9, the parish church in the heart of Taytay, Rizal, is now called as the Minor Basilica and Parish Church of Saint John the Baptist.
Taytay’s parish church is the first minor basilica in the Diocese of Antipolo following a decree by Pope Francis earlier this year.
(photo from Minor Basilica and Parish of St. John the Baptist)
Manila Archbishop Jose F. Cardinal Advincula, Jr. D.D. together with Antipolo Bishop Ruperto C. Santos officiated the Holy Mass for the solemn declaration of the minor basilica in Taytay.
(screengrab from TV Maria/Jahbee Cruz/Minor Basilica and Parish of St. John the Baptist)
Cardinal Advincula, in his homily, urged the mass attendees to share the love of Christ.
“Sa halip na maging ganid at madamot, maging daan nawa tayo upang umagos ang biyaya mula sa Diyos patungo sa ating kapwa. Ihatid natin ang biyaya at pagmamahal ni Kristo sa bawat isa, maging daan tayo ng pagdadaloy ng biyaya (Instead of being greedy and selfish, may we become the instrument for the grace from God to flow to our neighbors. Let's share the grace and love of Christ to each other, let's be a way for grace to flow),” Advincula said.
The ceremony was witnessed by the clergy from the Diocese of Antipolo led by Bishop Santos and Bishop Emeritus Francisco de Leon and bishops from various dioceses in the country, provincial officials led by Governor Nina Ynares, and Taytay Mayor Allan de Leon, among others.
(Photo from TV Maria/Jahbee Cruz/Minor Basilica and Parish of St. John the Baptist)
Several parish churches and diocesan shrines and groups from different places in Rizal and outside the province congratulated the minor basilica, which became the first minor basilica of the Diocese of Antipolo. These were the Cofradia de la Nuestra Señora de Anunciata; Ina ng Laging Saklolo Parish in Hagonoy, Bulacan; St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish in Antipolo; Parokya ni San Juan Nepomuceno in Malibay, Pasay City; Kapilya Ni San Juan Bautista in Barangay San Juan 1, General Trias, Cavite; Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned in Marikina City; The Association of Catholic Shrines and Pilgrimages of the Philippines; Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno (Quiapo Church); National Shrine and Parish of St. Anne in Hagonoy, Bulacan; Holy Trinity Parish, Village East, Cainta; San Isidro Labrador Parish in Antipolo; The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Manila Metropolitan Cathedral; Parokya ni Santa Ursula in Binangonan, Rizal; San Isidro Labrador Parish in Nangka, Marikina City; Parokya ni San Miguel Arkanghel in Jalajala Rizal; Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Joseph in Baras, Rizal; Bedan Pastoral Ministry (BPM) formerly Ministry of Altar Servers (MAS); TV Maria; Chapel of Saint Vincent Ferrer in Ginablan, Romblon; Sacred Heart of Jesus Chapel in Apolonio Samson in Quezon City; Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Light in Cainta; Saint Lodovico Pavoni Parish in Antipolo City; Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Fatima in Binakayan, Cavite; Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary in Cardona, Rizal; Minor Basilica of St. Anne in Taguig City, and the International Shrine of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo City.
Fr. Pedrito Noel Rabonza, III was appointed as the minor basilica's rector.
The original Taytay parish church was constructed near Laguna de Bay by the Franciscan missionaries in 1591 and was made of light materials. Due to flooding, the church was transferred to its present site in 1591, becoming the first stone church outside Intramuros, Manila, at that time.
The stone church was rebuilt in 1630, then in 1768, and later in 1864 and after it was burned in 1899 during the Filipino-American War. It was expanded in the early 1970s.