Antipolo Cathedral now an international shrine as declared by Vatican

The Antipolo Cathedral in Antipolo City, Rizal formally became an international shrine on Saturday, March 25, in accordance with a decree issued by Vatican.

The cathedral is now also known as the International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage.

"As one brethren, let us celebrate March 25 with joy and cheer. Aside from the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord and the anniversary of the departure of the Our Lady of Antipolo from Acapulco, Mexico to the Philippines, this is the most awaited day of the Effectivity of Elevation of the International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage," the Antipolo Cathedral said in a post on Facebook.

A Mass was celebrated at 8 a.m. presided by Rev. Fr. Reynante Tolentino, wherein the announcement of the elevation to international shrine status was also made.

"Nakikiisa tayo sa kapwa nating Katoliko sa pagdiriwang sa deklarasyon ng Vatican sa Antipolo Cathedral bilang kauna-unahang international shrine sa bansa at ikatlo sa buong Asya. Nawa'y palalimin pa ng karangalang ito ang pananampalataya ng bawat isa," President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos said in a post on Twitter.

(We are one with our fellow Catholics in celebrating the declaration of Vatican making Antipolo Cathedral the first international shrine in the country and the third in the whole of Asia. May this honor deepen our faith.)

At 6 p.m. on Saturday, a procession will be held in the streets of Antipolo to honor the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage.

The procession will affect these roads, according to Antipolo Mayor Jun Ynares:

• M.L. Quezon Street
• Sumulong Street
• Sto. Ninoy Street
• C. Lawis Street
• J.P. Rizal Street
• P. Oliveros Street

Motorists were advised to take alternate routes.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) earlier announced that the Antipolo Cathedral received the Vatican decree elevating the church to the rank of international shrine.

“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,” the CBCP, citing the cathedral, said.

The declaration makes the Antipolo Cathedral the country’s first international shrine, the third in Asia, and the 11th worldwide.

The two other international shrines in Asia are the St. Thomas Church Malayattoor in India and the Haemi Martyrdom Holy Ground and Seoul Pilgrimage Routes in South Korea.

Last June 2022, Antipolo Bishop Francisco de Leon said that the Vatican approved their petition to grant the shrine the said privilege.

According to the CBCP, 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.

It said that the galleon was battered by storms and almost caught fire during the three-month voyage.

The CBCP said it arrived safely on the Philippine shore on June 18, 1626, hence, the title Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage was attributed to the image. —KG, GMA Integrated News