MANILA (SE): The Holy Rosary Parish Church in Angeles City has been elevated to the status of minor basilica by Pope Leo XIV, marking it as the first in the Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga, according to CBCP News.
The elevation was granted through a decree dated January 21, from the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, following a formal petition by the archdiocese.
Archbishop Florentino Lavarias submitted the petition last year, highlighting the parish’s strong liturgical life and long-standing Marian devotion.
According to CBCP News, the decree was received on February 10, at the apostolic nunciature in Manila by parish priest Father Manuel Sta. Maria, together with other priests serving the parish.
Father Sta. Maria said the honour reflects a profound devotion to the Blessed Mother, shared not only by parishioners but by the wider community.
“This honour given to us is not only a testament to the Angeleños’ devotion to the Blessed Mother, but the Kapampangan’s faith as well,” the priest said.
The parish noted that the elevation coincides this year with several significant historical milestones for both the church and the city.
These include the 380th anniversary of the Battle of La Naval, the 230th anniversary of the founding of Barrio Culiat—later known as Balen Culiat and now Angeles City—and the 140th anniversary of the first Mass celebrated in Pisamban Maragul.
A minor basilica is a church granted special status by the pope in recognition of its historical significance, strong liturgical life and importance as a centre of worship.
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Such churches are given particular privileges, including the right to display the papal symbols of the crossed keys and the conopaeum, or ceremonial umbrella, and are expected to model exemplary liturgical practices.
Church officials indicated that a solemn declaration of the parish’s new status—making it the 30th minor basilica in the Philippines—will be announced soon, CBCP News reported.
