Jaro cathedral to be declared Marian shrine Feb. 2

The Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral in Iloilo will be formally declared a Marian shrine February 2, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines said Tuesday.   An article on the CBCP news site said the cathedral will be known as the National Shrine of Our Lady of Candles, noting that February 2 is the feast day of Our Lady of Candles (or Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria).   "Novena Masses will be celebrated daily in the Cathedral from January 24 to February 1 for the feast day of Our Lady," the CBCP said.   The declaration follows the CBCP's approval of the cathedral's elevation to a national shrine on July 16 last year.   "There are 12 National Shrines in Manila, only one in the Visayas and none in Mindanao. The National Shrine of Our Lady of Candles will be the second national shrine in the Visayas," the CBCP said.   A shrine is defined by Canon Law as a church or a sacred place which is by reason of special devotion is frequented by the faithful as pilgrims.   It can be called officially a local shrine” when such is given official recognition by the bishop of the place. And for it to be called a “national shrine” it has to be given recognition by the bishops’ conference.   On February 1, vespers will be celebrated after the 5.30 p.m. Novena Mass, to be followed by the Coronation of the image of Our Lady of Candles at the balcony of the facade of the Cathedral.   On February 2, 11 Masses will be celebrated at the high altar of the Cathedral starting at 4.30 a.m., with two high Masses celebrated at 7 a.m. by Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo and a 5.30 p.m. by Capiz Archbishop Jose Advincula.   The formal declaration of the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral as the National Shrine of Our Lady of Candles will take place during the 7 a.m. Mass on Feb. 2.   Pope crowns image   The image of Our Lady of Candles is by far the only Marian image in the Philippines canonically crowned by the pope.   Blessed Pope John Paul II had canonically crowned the image on February 21, 1981.   The Marian image is venerated not just by the people of Jaro but also by the people of Western Visayas and beyond,   On April 21, 1982, Blessed Pope John Paul II named Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, Patroness of Western Visayas.   "Both canonical coronation and the naming of the image as Patroness are official recognitions of what has already been a fact in the spiritual life not just of the people of Panay but also of the whole Western Visayas, and those who trace their roots to the locale," the CBCP said.   It also said the yearly pilgrimage to the shrine in February and the daily devotions of the people coming from afar bringing with them testimonies of divine interventions and spiritual graces, "attest to the reality that the Our Lady of the Candles is indeed Mother to the people of Western Visayas."   The CBCP's approval in 2011 of the cathedral's elevation to a national shrine came in time for the 30th anniversary of her Canonical Coronation by the Blessed Pope John Paul II.   The formal declaration as National Shrine of Our Lady of Candles in 2012 will coincide with the 30th anniversary of the Papal Brief naming her Patroness of Western Visayas.   It is also in this year the 425th anniversary of the erection of Parish of Jaro, established under the care of the Augustinians on April 25, 1587 under the protection of Our Lady of the Nativity, will be celebrated.   19th national shrine   Before the approval of the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral as the National Shrine of Our Lady of Candles there were 18 National Shrines in the Philippines recognized by the CBCP, four of which are Minor Basilicas (a papal privilege granted to certain churches).   The 18 national shrines include:

• Basilica of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, Naga City
• Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz, Binondo, Manila
• Basilica of the Santo Niño, Cebu City
• Basilica of St. Sebastian, National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Quiapo, Manila
• National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, Antipolo City
• National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, Silang, Cavite
• National Shrine of the Divine Mercy, Marilao, Bulacan National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, Marulas, Valenzuela City
• St. Anne National Shrine, Hagonoy, Bulacan
• National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, Quezon City
• National Shrine of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, Quezon City
• National Shrine of St. Michael and the Archangels, San Miguel, Manila
• National Shrine of the Sacred Heart, Makati City
• National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, Parañaque City
• National Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Baclaran, Parañaque
• National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Sucat, Muntinlupa City
• National Shrine of Our Lady Queen of Peace (Edsa Shrine), Ortigas, Mandaluyong City
• National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Makati City.