MANAOAG—Thousands flocked on Friday to the Shrine of Our Lady of Rosary of Manaoag for the Eucharistic Celebration and launching of a Social Bond of Affinity between the shrine and the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary in Rome, Italy.

The event is considered of great significance to the Catholics who flock here daily as the affinity gives them assurance that their prayers are heard by the Holy Father.

Archbishop Socrates Villegas, assisted by 100 bishops and priests, led in the Eucharistic Celebration that started at 10 a.m.

Fr. Butch Bumbase, parish priest of the Shrine of Our Lady of Rosario of Manaoag, said it this was a historic event it being the first time that a church in the Philippine has been linked with a special bond of affinity with a major papal basilica based in Rome.

Fr. Bumbase, however, stressed that the occasion did not make the shrine here a basilica.

He clarified that there are only four major basilicas in the world and all these are located in Rome. All others in different parts of the world are minor basilicas, among them the Quiapo Basilica in Manila and the Agoo Basilica in La Union.

Some 100 bishops and priests from nearly all parts of the country attended the occasion that was joined by thousands of Catholic faithful from all over Pangasinan and the country.

Among those who flocked to the Manaoag shrine for the occasion were former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. and his wife, Fourth District Representative Gina de Venecia, philanthropist Baby Arenas and daughter, Third District Rep. Rachel Arenas.

“Today, Our Lady of Manaoag continues to be a beacon of faith for millions of Filipinos, here and around the world… a testament to the long tradition of Our Lady of Manaoag as a leader in promoting devotion for the Blessed Virgin,” said former Speaker De Venecia.

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