THE National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo City has been declared as the country’s first international shrine.
In a report by CBCP News, Antipolo Bishop Francisco de Leon announced on Saturday that the Vatican has recognized the Antipolo Cathedral as an international shrine.
“We received a letter from Rome saying that, on June 18, our national shrine will be recognized as an international shrine,” De Leon was quoted as saying by the official news agency of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
The report said the prelate made the announcement during the Diocese of Antipolo’s anniversary celebration at the Antipolo Cathedral.
De Leon said they have yet to receive a copy of the official declaration from the Vatican.
According to CBCP News, the Antipolo Cathedral is only the 11th international shrine recognized globally.
The recognition also makes it only the third in Asia after the St. Thomas Church Malayattoor in India and the Haemi Martyrdom Holy Ground/the Seoul Pilgrimage Routes in South Korea.
In July 2021, the CBCP officially endorsed the petition for the National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage to be elevated as an “international shrine.”
The Antipolo Cathedral was also the country’s first national shrine back on January 14, 1954.
The Antipolo Cathedral is home to the 17th century image of the brown-skinned Madonna known to devotees as “Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje.”
