Development of Manaoag’s Basilica Minore pushed
FOURTH District Rep. Gina de Venecia congratulated Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas after the Shrine of Our Lady of Rosary of Manaoag was elevated to “Basilica Minore” through a proclamation issued by Pope Francis.
Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag, Basilica Minore (PUNCHpohoto by Willie Lomibao)
The Basilica Minore of Manaog is under the Lingayen-Dagupan archdiocese headed by Archbishop Villegas who is now in Rome.
The new designation of the Shrine means that Marian devotees going to the shrine will receive the same papal indulgence that they receive when they visit the papal Basilica Mayore in Rome.
The congresswoman said she and her husband, former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. “are ardent followers of Our Lady of Manaoag and so was my late mother Mama Nene”.
“It is also doubly meaningful for me, because as you know, the Shrine is located in my congressional district,” she said.
“So, I’d like to think that the Pope’s proclamation is also a sign that my proposal in Congress, House Bill 4481 that seeks to declare the Basilica of Our Lady of Manaoag as a pilgrimage site and tourist destination, will be enacted into law” de Venecia said.
This announcement by the Pope came seven days before De Venecia defends her bill in the House of Representatives on October 22.
Once enacted into law, the Department of Tourism and the DPWH, together with the local government, will draft a master plan to improve the road infrastructure and develop the Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag and its environs.
The goal, said De Venecia, is to make the Shrine a major destination, not only for tourists but more specifically, for the millions of Marian devotees, worldwide. (Tita Roces)
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
