Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal declared the Sta. Teresa de Avila Parish Church in Talisay City as Cebu’s newest Archdiocesan Shrine during its fiesta celebration last Monday.
People who visit churches that have been declared as shrines will get “plenary indulgence,” which means their sins will be forgiven after receiving the Sacrament of Penance and offering prayers.
Pilgrims who will visit the Sta. Teresa de Avila Shrine in Talisay City from October 15, 2007 to October 15, 2008, every 15th of the month, or any day of the year when the 15th falls on a Sunday will get a “plenary indulgence.”
Pilgrims can also partake of spiritual benefits if he visits the shrine any day as long as he walks in a procession at least a kilometer stretch to the shrine. If the pilgrim is sick, he may visit the shrine on a vehicle.
Aside from the spiritual benefits, people can also take advantage of economic opportunities, like selling candles.
Vidal earlier said that there is no limit to the number of shrines in a diocese but not every parish can be declared a shrine.
He explained that only those parishes which meet the “special requirements” can be declared an Archdiocesan Shrine. One of these requirements is the age of the Church, which should date back to “antiquity.”
Another requirement is if people usually go to the particular church to pray and if the priest is willing to look after the spiritual well-being of pilgrims expected to visit the shrine. — Jasmin R. Uy/QSB