In a vibrant and devout gathering, over 80 bishops and countless Catholic devotees congregated to celebrate the solemn declaration of the Antipolo Cathedral as an international shrine, a milestone marking it as the first of its kind in Southeast Asia.
The momentous ceremony was led by the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Charles John Brown D.D., who presided over the Rite of Solemn Declaration of the Antipolo Cathedral as the International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage. The Decree was proclaimed in Latin, with an English translation presented to the attendees, including notable figures such as First Lady Liza Marcos Araneta. The event was marked by the symbolic offerings of candles and flowers by laypeople, expressing their gratitude and devotion.
Before the Mass, a symbolic coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary took place, signifying the cathedral’s embarkation on its new journey as an international shrine. This sentiment was echoed in a social media post by the Antipolo Cathedral.
The declaration attracted a large number of devotees who partook in a procession for the public veneration of the image of the Virgin of Antipolo, creating a festive atmosphere with marching bands and jubilant dancing on the streets near the cathedral and throughout Antipolo.
The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) announced that the Antipolo Cathedral is not only the first international shrine in Southeast Asia but also the eleventh worldwide. It follows St. Thomas Church Malayattoor in India and the Haemi Martyrdom Holy Ground along with the Seoul Pilgrimage Routes in South Korea. Notably, it stands as the first Marian international shrine in Asia and the sixth worldwide.
The cathedral, already recognized as the country’s first national shrine and a revered pilgrimage site for devotees of Our Lady of Antipolo, achieved its status as an international shrine following the Vatican’s approval in June 2022. The official elevation took place on March 25, 2023, coinciding with the historical departure of the image of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage from Acapulco, Mexico, on a galleon 397 years ago. Despite facing storms and near disasters during its three-month voyage, the galleon safely reached Philippine shores on June 18, 1626, a testament to the protective and guiding nature of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage.
This recognition highlights the various categories of shrines within the Catholic Church, from diocesan shrines approved by the local bishop, national shrines recognized by the bishops’ conference, to international shrines endorsed by the Vatican.