The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) announced that the National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, known as Antipolo Cathedral, will formally assume their new status as an international shrine on March 25.
According to the CBCP, the Antipolo Cathedral had already received a decree from the Vatican that had elevated 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 said.
“We are now in full anticipation of the solemn declaration of our international shrine in the coming months,” they also said.
The Antipolo Cathedral declaration made it the first international shrine in the Philippines. It will be the third in Asia, and the 11th worldwide.
The other two in Asia are the St. Thomas Church Malayattoor in India and the Haemi Martyrdom Holy Ground and Seoul Pilgrimage Routes in South Korea.
March 25 likewise 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. 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.
Catherine R. Cueto
