MORE than a year after declaring the Antipolo Cathedral as the Philippines' first international shrine, the Vatican is set to learn more about the country's devotion to the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage.
In a report by Church-run Radio Veritas, Antipolo Cathedral Rector Fr. Reynante Tolentino disclosed that he is set to present before the Dicastery for Evangelization the devotion to the Marian image, which arrived in the country back in 1626.
"It is a huge honor for me as a priest, and for the Antipolo Cathedral as an international shrine. We thank the Lord for the opportunity to share the Our Lady of Antipolo with the world," said Tolentino.
According to the report, the presentation will be held during the Second Conference for Rectors of Shrines set from November 9 to 11, 2023 at the Vatican.
It was back in June 2022 when the Vatican approved the petition of the Diocese of Antipolo for the Antipolo Cathedral to be given the status of an international shrine.
The Antipolo Cathedral, however, officially assumed its new status as an international shrine just last March 25, 2023.
The new status, then, made the Antipolo Cathedral the country’s first international shrine, the 3rd in Asia, and the 11th worldwide.
Historical records show that the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage arrived on the Philippine shores from Mexico back on June 18, 1626, after a three-month voyage marred by storms and almost gutted by fire. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)