This year’s Good Shepherd Sunday has been a special and historic one for Binondo Church as His Excellency, the Most Rev. Broderick S. Pabillo, DD opened its Jubilee Door to officially start its celebration of the 500th anniversary of Christianity in the Philippines last April 25.
The opening rite and the Eucharistic Celebration remained solemn and festive despite the limited number of attendees due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bishop Pabillo recognized the contribution of the parish as a reason for its inclusion in the list of pilgrim churches for the quincentennial of the arrival of our faith.
“One of the places that the faith has really matured is here in Binondo where you have the fruit of it – the first saint of the Philippines, San Lorenzo Ruiz. Galling po siya dito sa inyo, ito po yung bunga ng pananampalataya ng mga taga-Binondo,” the apostolic administrator said.
The 425-year-old church has been a part of the life of the country’s protomartyr as he served here as an altar boy and sacristan and worked as an Escribano.
He encouraged everyone to find the opportunity to pass through the Holy Door and visit the church to get plenary indulgence so that our God forgives our sins and to forgive the damages that our sins have brought about.
Contemplating on Jesus as a Good Shepherd, Pabillo reminded everyone to take Him “as a model of what a leader should be, whether our religious leaders or our government leaders.”
He also asked for prayers to the Good Shepherd to give us more good leaders for our church and our country.
Known officially as the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of San Lorenzo Ruiz (Parish of the Most Holy Rosary), Binondo Church was established in 1596 and declared as “basilica minore” in honor of the first Filipino saint by His Holiness Pope John Paul II on July 23, 1992. (Lem Leal Santiago/SOCOM-Binondo Church)
IN PHOTO: Most Rev. Broderick S. Panillo, Apostolic Administrator of Manila delivers his homily during Mass after he opens the Jubilee Door of Binondo Church on April 25, 2021. | Photo by Lem Leal Santiago/SOCOM-Binondo Church
