(ZENIT News / Manila, 07.11.2024).- In a significant and symbolic gesture, the 17th-century Cathedral of Maasin in Southern Leyte has been declared a national shrine. This announcement, celebrated by the local Catholic community, underscores the cathedral’s importance as a center for devotion and pilgrimage.
Monsignor Oscar Cadayona, the vicar general of the Diocese of Maasin, expressed that this designation signifies a profound blessing for the faithful devotees of Nuestra Amada Señora de la Asunción (Our Beloved Lady of the Assumption). “This honor is a testament to the divine grace bestowed upon our community,” Cadayona shared with UCA News.
As a national shrine, the Cathedral of Maasin, now officially known as the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Assumption, will be under the oversight of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). This prestigious recognition marks it as the first national shrine in the Eastern Visayas region, which encompasses six provinces and a predominantly Catholic population of around four million people.
The announcement was made during the 128th plenary session of the CBCP in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, on July 6, 2024. The CBCP acknowledged the cathedral as a pivotal site for religious devotion and pilgrimage. “We look forward to welcoming pilgrims from across the Philippines,” Cadayona added.
Mayor Nacional Mercado of Maasin City hailed the declaration, noting that it transforms Maasin into the «pilgrimage capital» of Eastern Visayas. “Our city is immensely honored and blessed by this recognition,” Mercado stated to UCA News on July 7.
In addition to the Maasin Cathedral, the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy in Novaliches, Quezon City, was also elevated to national shrine status during the CBCP plenary session attended by more than 70 bishops.
Plans are underway for a formal celebration by the Diocese of Maasin to commemorate this milestone. The history of Maasin as a parish dates back to 1771 under Jesuit administration, with the Franciscans later dedicating it to Our Lady of the Assumption in 1843. It was declared a cathedral in 1968, with the new Diocese of Maasin adopting Our Lady of the Assumption as its patroness.
The revered image of Our Lady received an episcopal coronation by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the former Archbishop of Manila, on August 15, 2018, followed by a pontifical coronation by Archbishop Nuncio Charles Brown on August 13, 2022.
For the residents of Maasin, this recognition cements their city’s reputation as a significant religious destination. Marcelo Pedalino, a 62-year-old devout Catholic, remarked on Maasin’s transformation into a pilgrimage hub, reflecting the deep-rooted faith and devotion within the community. “This is a moment of great pride and spiritual renewal for all of us,” he said.
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