PH Marian nat’l shrines and minor basilicas to join global day of prayer for universal synod

The country’s Marian national shrines and minor basilicas are joining a global prayer movement for the Church’s entire synodal process, especially the upcoming assembly in the Vatican in October.

At least 26 churches will simultaneously lead the prayer activity on May 31, the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in honor of the Mother of the Church towards the synodal meeting.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) assigned the International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo City to take the lead in the celebration at the national level.

Activities at the shrine, also known as the Antipolo Cathedral, include a procession at 4:30 p.m. and followed by a catechetical lecture on synodality, the recitation of the rosary, and a Mass to be presided over by Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, CBCP President, at 6:00 p.m.

At the request of Pope Francis, the Secretariat of the universal Synod has invited the Church around the world to celebrate a day of Marian prayer to place the work of the 16th Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops under the protection of Our Lady.

The General Secretariat of the Synod suggested that the moment of prayer should be celebrated at a Marian shrine of particular national importance, or at several Marian shrines chosen for their representativeness, or in all the Marian shrines present in the territory.

It said the participation of the Philippines’ prominent Marian shrines and minor basilicas shows the Filipinos’ deep devotion to Mary “and their desire to seek her intercession and guidance throughout the synodal process”.

“It is a testament to the unwavering faith of the Philippine Church and our commitment to active engagement towards a more Synodal Church,” the Secretariat added.

Below is the full list of national shrines and minor basilicas in the Philippines that are participating in the Marian Moment of Prayer for the Synodal Process on May 31:

• Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Batangas City
• Manila Metropolitan Cathedral – Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Manila
• Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Charity, Agoo, La Union
• Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, Naga City
• Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Visitation of Piat, Piat, Cagayan
• Immaculate Conception Cathedral and Minor Basilica, Malolos City
• Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Manaoag, Manaoag, Pangasinan
• Minor Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Quezon City
• Minor Basilica and Shrine of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Orani, Orani, Bataan
• Minor Basilica of La Purisima Concepcion, Santa Maria, Bulacan
• International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage – Antipolo Cathedral
• National Shrine of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, La Naval de Manila, Quezon City
• National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Parañaque City
• National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, Valenzuela City
• Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal National Shrine, Muntinlupa City
• National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians, Parañaque City
• National Shrine of Our Lady of the Visitation, Gamu, Isabela
• National Shrine of La Virgen Divina Pastora, Gapan City
• National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, Quezon City
• National Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Regla, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu
• National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Makati City
• National Shrine of Our Lady of Candles – Jaro Cathedral, Iloilo City
• National Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows, Dolores, Quezon
• National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, Silang, Cavite
• National Shrine of Our Lady of the Abandoned, Sta. Ana, Manila
• National Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Concepcion de Salambao, Obando, Bulacan

(CBCP News)

A version of this article was first published by CBCP News.