On March 25, 2023, the Antipolo Cathedral was declared the International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage making it the first in the country and Southeast Asia.
In an earlier article by Radio Veritas, the leadership of the said shrine believes that this will bring the growth of the devotion and bring the devotees closer to Christ and Mary.
The Shrine Rector Rev. Fr. Reynante Tolentino said to Veritas PH that the declaration as an International Shrine will deepen the faith of the people as the Virgin of Antipolo brings them closer to Christ.
“Mahalaga itong pagdeklarang international shrine kasi makatulong ito para mapalalim ang pananampalataya ng tao at matulungan ng Mahal na Birheng ilapit sa Panginoong Hesukristo,”
Re-echoing Pope Francis’s message, Fr. Tolentino stated that Shrines can become the ‘Powerhouse of Evangelization’ with the blessing and indulgences given to it.
“Tulad ng sinabi ni Pope Francis na ang ating mga shrines ay pwede maging powerhouse of evangelizations, bilang international shrine may mga blessings and indulgences na ipinagkakaloob ang simbahan,”
The date for the declaration was chosen because of its significance to the history of the image as it was on March 25, 1626, that the image of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage was brought to the Philippines from Mexico 397 years ago. (Mio Angelo Hermoso/SOCOM/San Juan Nepomuceno Parish)
