Sta. Ana Shrine is now 17 years‎ old

Today July 24, the Seventeenth ‎Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Holy Shrine to Saint Anne in the Parish of Sta. Ana marks its 17th year of existence. It was on 24 July 1999 that the then archbishop of Davao, now archbishop emeritus Fernando. R. Capalla, dedicated the parish as a diocesan shrine in honor of Saint Anne, mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in simple ceremony during the Holy Mass.

The simple ceremony that took place after the homily consisted of the Reading of the Decree of Establishment of the Holy Shrine‎ and the Blessing of the image of Saint Anne. The Decree called attention to, and recognized the, history and growth of the devotion religiously promoted by the shrine under the pastoral care of the PME Fathers and the Diocesan Clergy. The archbishop strongly encouraged a deeper and widespread devotion to the Sta. Ana.

The archbishop took the occasion to include in the Decree the official welcome and acceptance of the religious congregation called the Daughters of Saint Anne to work in the archdiocese and to help promote devotion to her. The Decree was read by the Archdiocesan Chancellor the Very Rev. Joel Caasi.

An important theological teaching on Saint Anne is that in her womb she conceived‎ her daughter Mary free from the effects of original sin. Because of this mystery effected by the Holy Spirit we call Mary, The Immaculate Conception. Moreover, the humanity of Jesus can be traced genetically to Saint Anne. On Tuesday, July 26, the parish will celebrate the feast of Sta. Ana, its patron saint.