THE Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has designated three churches in the country, including the Archdiocesan Shrine of Mary Queen of Peace, popularly known as the EDSA Shrine, in Quezon City, as “national shrines.”
In a CBCP News report, the bishops also declared as “national shrines” the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto in Sampaloc, Manila and the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Aranzazu in San Mateo, Rizal.
“The bishops voted to elevate three churches as national shrines,” said the official news agency of the CBCP.
“The decisions were made on the first day of the 129th CBCP plenary assembly in Santa Rosa, Laguna,” it added.
The EDSA Shrine was built in 1989 to commemorate the February 25, 1986 People Power Revolution.
The Loreto Church houses the centuries-old image of the Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Loreto and is currently the only parish in the country dedicated to this Marian title.
The Aranzazu Shrine, on the other hand, has a rich history dating back to 1596, when Augustinian friars established the first settlements in the area, although the Jesuits eventually took control in 1696.
A national shrine is a sacred site recognized by the Catholic Church for its historical, spiritual, or cultural significance, and is often linked to popular devotion, significant religious events, miracles, or apparitions.
To receive the status of a national shrine, a church must first be designated as a diocesan or archdiocesan shrine by the local bishop or archbishop. If devotion grows, the diocesan or archdiocesan shrine may petition the National Conference of Catholic bishops for recognition as a national shrine.