Antipolo Cathedral to be elevated as an international shrine on March 25
The National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, more popularly known as the Antipolo Cathedral will officially be elevated as an international shrine on Saturday, March 25.
“It’s official. We are now elevated into an international shrine. The decree has been sent to us by the Holy See and will be effective by March 25, 2023,” said a post made by the cathedral.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines said, the Vatican declaration makes the Antipolo Cathedral the country’s first international shrine, the third in Asia, and the 11th in the world.
Antipolo Bishop Francisco de Leon announced in June 2022 that the Vatican approved their petition to elevate the cathedral into an international shrine.
“We are now in full anticipation of the solemn declaration of our international shrine in the coming months,” the cathedral said.
The date March 25 also coincides with the day when the image of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage departed the Mexican town of Acapulco on board a galleon 397 years ago.
During the three-month voyage, the galleon was battered by storms and almost caught on fire. Despite these setbacks, it arrived safely on Philippine shores on June 18, 1626, hence, the title Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage was attributed to the image.
The Antipolo Cathedral is a popular pilgrimage site and tourist attraction in the province of Rizal particularly during the Holy Week.
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