Santo Dominic de Guzman church now a minor basilica
SAINT Dominic De Guzman Parish Church in San Carlos City is now officially a Minor Basilica following a solemn liturgical declaration ceremony on January 14 presided by Rev. Fr. Charles Brown, bishop nuncio to the Philippines. He was assisted by bishops and priests of the Lingayen-Dagupan Archdiocese and from other dioceses in various parts of the country.
Established in 1587 or 250 years ago, it was declared a minor basilica by Pope Francis, making it the only minor basilica in the Philippines under the patronage of Dominic de Guzman, founder of the Order of Preachers.
The ceremony was attended by Jose Cardinal Advincula, Archbishop of Manila and Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen Dagupan Archdiocese.
Also present were Fr. Gerald Timoner III, Master General of the Dominican Order, Fr. Felimon de la Cruz Jr., Prior Provincial.
The designation of basilica is assigned by the Holy Father in Rome to certain Catholic Churches because of their antiquity and historical significance.
The historic declaration was attended by bishops, priest, missionaries, parishioners, numerous volunteer groups, devotees from various parishes and churches in Pangasinan and practically from all cover the country.
While the parish church was fully packed, more than 2,000 had to content themselves hearing the liturgical celebration outside notwithstanding the heat of the sun.
At the end of the mass, Archbishop Villegas thanked the representative of the Holy Father in Rome as well as the Archbishop of Manila for leading in the installation of St. Dominic de Guzman Parish Church as a Minor Basilica.
San Carlos Mayor Julier Resuello is optimistic that devotees will troop to San Carlos to pray at the Minor Basilica of St. Dominic, which to him will soon be another tourist attraction in Pangasinan.
People attending the mass at Saint Dominic de Guzman Minor Basilica in San Carlos City will receive the same indulgence as they received when they are attending a mass at the Vatican in Rome. (104.7 IFM Dagupan, Jhon Caranto/ Jovelyn Domingo UdD)
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