Laguna’s San Antonio de Padua Church becomes 25th national shrine

MANILA, Philippines — The San Antonio de Padua Church in Pila, Laguna has joined the roster of national shrines in the Philippines.

A CBCP News report said that the centuries-old and the first Antonine parish church in the country was elevated to national shrine status on Tuesday.

The church also became the first national shrine of the Diocese of San Pablo and the 25th in the country.

The report said the“solemn declaration was held during a Mass presided over by Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao which was attended by more than 2,000 priests, nuns, government officials, and laypeople.

It added that in January, the bishops “unanimously” approved the petition to elevate the church to the rank of a national shrine.

In May 2000, the San Antonio de Padua Church was declared a national historical landmark by the National Historical Institute.