The 425-year-old Binondo Church commemorated its declaration as Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz through a special Eucharistic Celebration on Friday, July 23.
Despite the bad weather, devotees trooped to the historic church to take part in a concelebrated Holy Mass led by its rector and parish priest, Rev. Fr. Andy Ortega Lim.
In his homily, Fr. Lim emphasized the importance of the title honored by Saint Pope John Paul II on July 23, 1992.
“Ano ang sinasabi nito sa atin? We are so blessed at dapat na magpasalamat sa Diyos dahil dito sa atin nanggaling ang unang Pilipinong Tsinong santo,” he said.
They also displayed the original Apostolic Letter issued by the Secretary of State on behalf of the late Holy Father beside the altar for public exhibition throughout its special day.
Written in Latin, the document contains Rome’s concession of the title and dignity of minor basilica to Binondo Church.
San Lorenzo Ruiz was a native of Binondo and served in this church as an altar boy, sacristan and escribano before his fateful martyrdom at Nishizaka Hill in Nagasaki, Japan on September 28, 1637.
Binondo Church is the 10th Philippine church and 4th in the Archdiocese of Manila that bears the official symbols of the Holy See as manifestation of particular bond of the church with the Roman cathedra of Saint Peter. (Lem Leal Santiago/SOCOM-Binondo Church | Photo from Binondo Church Facebook Page)
