MANILA, Philippines — The mass for the declaration of the Antipolo Cathedral as an international shrine will take place in January next year, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said on Wednesday.
According to the CBCP, the Solemn Declaration of the International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage is scheduled on January 26, 2024, and will be presided over by Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown.
The CBCP said the celebration will also take place on the evening of the 127th plenary assembly of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines in Manila, and several bishops are expected to join the declaration.
The CBCP recalled that Pope Francis, through the Dicastery of Evangelization, approved the petition to raise the Antipolo Church to the “international shrine” status last March.
The CBCP also noted that the declaration makes the Antipolo Cathedral the first international shrine in the Philippines, third in Asia, and 11th in the world.
Meanwhile, in a Facebook post on Tuesday, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Antipolo said that the church’s elevated status marks a new chapter in the history and in the country as a “Pueblo Amante De Maria” — or “People in love with Mary.”
“This recognition serves not only as a testament to the enduring faith of the Filipino people but also as a beacon of hope and peace for pilgrims from around the world,” the diocese said.
“The journey that began almost four centuries ago continues to inspire and guide, solidifying the Antipolo Church’s place as a sacred and internationally revered site dedicated to Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage,” it added.
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