Antipolo Cathedral to be declared an international shrine, more than 80 bishops will attend

The Antipolo Cathedral on Friday, January 28, will be declared an international shrine, a sacred place, that will be attended by more than 80 bishops from across the country, according to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference Philippines (CBCP) news.

Many devotees of Our Lady of Antipolo visit the cathedral, which is a popular pilgrimage site. It is also the country’s first national shrine.

In June 2022, the Vatican announced its approval of the petition to elevate Antipolo Cathedral into an international shrine.  It is the first in Southeast Asia and the 11th worldwide.

The cathedral’s new status took effect on March 25 of last year, according to a Vatican decree.

Archbishop Charles Brown, apostolic nuncio to the Philippines, will preside over the 10 a.m. liturgy on Friday.  The bishops who will attend are already in Manila for a seminar in preparation for their 127th plenary assembly at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center on Saturday until noon on Jan. 29.

The CBCP consists of 125 members, of which 82 are active, 39 are bishops emeriti, and four are priest administrators.

Before the Eucharistic celebration, a procession of the image of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage will be held at 8 a.m. from the sacristy to the church’s facade.  Bishop Ruperto Santos of Antipolo will lead a rite of coronation.

For approving the statutes of a diocesan shrine, the local ordinary is responsible.  For a national shrine, it is the conference of bishops.  And for an international shrine, it is the Holy See alone.