3 churches designated as national shrines

MANILA, Philippines — The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Saturday, January 25, declared three churches across the country as national shrines.

The announcement was made on the first day of the bishops' plenary assembly in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

The following churches have been declared as national shrines:

• Archdiocesan Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace, popularly known as the Edsa Shrine
• Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto, popularly known as Sampaloc church
• Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Aranzazu in San Mateo, Rizal

The EDSA Shrine, established in 1989, honors the People Power Revolution of Feb. 25, 1986, which resulted in the ouster of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. 

It also served as the venue for the 2001 protests that led to the removal of former President Joseph Estrada.

The Loreto Church in Sampaloc, Manila is the home to a centuries-old image of the Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Loreto. It is the only parish in the Philippines dedicated to this Marian title.

The Loreto Church, originally constructed by the Franciscans in 1613, was destroyed during the Battle of Manila but was rebuilt in 1958.

Meanwhile, the Aranzazu Shrine dates back to 1596, when Augustinian friars founded the area's first settlements. 

In 1659, a parish was initially dedicated to St. Matthew, the apostle and evangelist. 

However, in 1696, the Jesuits took over and shifted the patronage to Our Lady of Aranzazu, inspired by a Jesuit priest's devotion in 1705.

A national shrine is a holy site acknowledged by the Catholic Church for its historical, spiritual, or cultural importance, typically associated with popular devotion, notable religious events, miracles, or apparitions.

To receive the status of a national shrine, a church must first be designated as a diocesan shrine by its local prelate.

To earn this designation, the church must serve as a pilgrimage site, offering outstanding worship, Christian education, and social services.

Once these requirements are met, the shrine can apply for elevation, and if devotion continues to flourish, the CBCP may grant it national shrine status.