Know your ‘pilgrim churches’

These churches are endorsed by no less than one of the reported top contenders for the papacy.

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle has designated five parishes as “pilgrim churches” in the metropolis, as Catholics mark the “Year of Faith” decreed last year by then Pope Benedict XVI, who recently made history with his resignation.

In a website post, the Archdiocese of Manila said pilgrims visiting these churches can receive plenary indulgences according to the prescribed norms, which involve “going to confession, receiving Holy Communion and praying for the Pope, (reciting) the Apostles Creed, Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be.”

The archdiocese also said these churches should have special programs for pilgrims.

“(They should) make readily available to the people of God of the Archdiocese of Manila the graces and summons of the Year of Faith as enunciated (by Benedict XVI),” the post quoted Tagle as saying.

The five churches are the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Plaza Miranda, Quiapo, Manila; Saint John the Baptist Parish on Pinaglabanan Street, San Juan City; Our Lady of Sorrows Parish on F. B. Harrison Street, Pasay City; the Archdiocesan Shrine of Divine Mercy on Maysilo Circle, Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong City; and the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart on Sacred Heart Street, San Antonio Village, Makati City.

Benedict XVI opened the Year of Faith in October last year “to give renewed energy to the Church’s mission to lead men and women out of the desert in which they so often find themselves, and towards the place of life, towards friendship with Christ who gives us life in all its fullness.” Philip C. Tubeza